Date: 08/30/2011

Number: 35

The monarchs are in full force on my sunny boulevard garden on a busy urban street in Southwest Minneapolis! For the last 4-5 days, their numbers continue to grow. Midday counts of them feeding on blazing star liatris consistently hold around 30-35. All seem very spirited and playful, periodically stopping to recharge on the blossoms. I've only seen one with faded/tattered wings -- not sure if it was one that got caught up in some high winds last week or its the first one from Canada. I'm going to create a 'butterfly crossing' sign with information below for the passersby...!

Today is overcast & a bit cooler. We had morning/midday drizzles -- the butterflies are starting to come out slowly (3:30 CST) as they dry off -- right now the count is around 15. I'll report tomorrow.

Yesterday there was one butterfly who must have been injured by traffic or updraft as it was sitting on curb with leg extended. Moving it to a blossom it hobbled upward -- two hours later it had moved but was not feeding -- all the others had gone to roost for the night. Not much else I could do. :( I'd love to find out if their nightly roost is in a neighboring tree.

Last year we peaked at 60 around 9/10 -- before a cold front sent them south; hoping to have the numbers high again within the next week.

Thanks again for all the good work your team does -- we're having fun!!

Minneapolis, MN

Latitude: 45 Longitude: -93.3

Observed by:
Contact Observer

The observer's e-mail address will not be disclosed.
Contact will be made through a web-based form.