Date: 08/26/2011

Number: 1000

September 5
Update on the roost of Sept.3.....
Saw the roosts yesterday morning (Sept.4).
Temps were in the low 50s so Monarchs held their roosts until the sun warmed them.
Took photos and video in the morning sun.
Fun to see them in good light.
It was still blustery wind from the northwest and clouds came in to cover the sun. Roosts dissipated gradually and some partially reformed because of the cold, wind, and clouds.
Was not able to watch all day or to go back last night, but this morning I found two dozen, plus a few more. I suspect they were new Monarchs that stopped there after migrating yesterday, but I do not know this for sure. Fifteen were in a huge elm tree bordering the north edge of the field, beyond where all the previous day's roosts had formed.
There were a few scattered singles and doubles.
By 8:00 a few Monarchs were feeding in the alfalfa, but it was too cold for much activity.
Wind from the southeast today, and the farmer will be cutting this part of the alfalfa field.

September 3
Saw many roosts about 8 miles southwest of Osceola along the edge of a ripe alfalfa field. Temperature today was in the high 70s, perhaps 80. Wind picked up from the northwest late morning and grew stronger as evening approached. Temps by 7:00 were dropping into the middle 60s with a low of 49 predicted by morning. The first Monarchs I saw were fighting the wind and looking for shelter along the edge of the woods that borders the north side of the field and along the road that borders the eastern edge. I started along the road, walking the eastern wood edge and seeing a few monarchs and small clusters; I ended up walking the field, going west. At first, most of the Monarchs were scattered and smaller clusters formed and broke up repeatedly. As the sun set and darkness came on, the roosts grew stronger. The roosts were the biggest I have ever seen. Several of the trees must have held hundreds of Monarchs. I was fighting darkness but did get a few photos and some good video of the numerous branches and trees that held roosts. Although I cannot give an exact count on the numbers of roosts and Monarchs, I would say there were 6-8 trees that each held major roosts of 200 or more Monarchs each, with additional smaller roosts. And so I would say there were at least 1,000 Monarchs roosting......and possibly many more....twice that?
Very cold predicted for tomorrow, with temps just into the 60's. North wind also predicted, and sunny, so I believe the Monarchs will migrate again.

Sat, Aug 27
Northerly wind predicted for today. Looking for Monarchs to be migrating. I plan to explore new areas for a peak nectar source.........Found two red clover fields with lots of Monarchs in the afternoon. Got permission to photograph in one of them. Temperature was too warm....high 70's.....and there were trees all around the field, so I wasn't lucky enough to get a huge roost. But I did see lots of small groupings, ranging from 3-6......and of course, lots and lots of singles.
(additional note: all monarchs from our back hill area were gone yesterday, except for two newly emerged monarchs)
Winds predicted to be southerly for the next few days, so I suspect there will not be much migrating activity here until the next front moves through.....but individual fields should hold good Monarch viewing until then.

Friday, Aug 26
mid 80's, wind varied, but mild. Saw fewer Monarchs on the back hills. I believe yesterday's early northerly breeze might have sent some off. Spent the evening looking for a good nectar source....almost all the good fields of alfalfa are being cut just as they begin to bloom. Very disheartening, from the Monarch's point of view. Did find an old field of red clover/pasture that had 2+dozen Monarchs feeding. I saw many roosting for the night in an open woodlot on the west edge of the pasture. Temps were high 70s so the best "cluster" I found was 3.

Thursday, Aug 25
there were probably two dozen monarchs actively feeding on goldenrod and thistle on the back hills. On our 35 mile trip to River Falls, we saw half a dozen flying west (into a WNW wind). Late afternoon, we saw a ripe alfalfa field with lots of Monarchs feeding.....don't know if they were local butterflies or migrating. The field was being cut, unfortunately so I didn't return for the evening.

Monarch nectaring in field of red clover.

Osceola, WI

Latitude: 45.3 Longitude: -92.7

Observed by: Pat
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