Date: 09/05/2011

Number: 1

The first significant monarch migratory movement of the fall was seen at Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge during a two-hour visit in the morning. Sixty-three monarchs were spotted flying over the prairie and nectaring on the wildflowers. In a pattern that has occurred during past years at this time of the year, the monarchs were favoring tickseed sunflowers for their nectaring. The temperature was in the mid-50s, and cooler mornings were being reported to the north in Iowa and Minnesota. During visits to the refuge on September 2 and 4, only one monarch was observed.

Prairie City, IA

Latitude: 41.6 Longitude: -93.3

Observed by: Robert
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