Date: 09/07/2011

Number: 440

September 22
The day was cool in the low 50s and partly cloudy with a mild breeze. The sun was breaking through the clouds on occasion. Monarchs were landing on the sunflowers and opening their wings apparently to warm up. This same scene was repeated again and again. During two hours of observation, 85 monarchs were counted--somewhat surprising given the past couple of days of low numbers.

September 13
Migrating monarchs were spending their time primarily nectaring on the sawtooth sunflowers. The morning was sunny, the temperature was in the high 50s, and the wind was from the north at 10 miles an hour. In two hours of observation, 200 monarchs were counted.

September 12
Monarch butterfly activity continued at Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge. In the mid-morning, the sky was sunny, the temperature was in the high 60s, and a wind from the south southwest was blowing at 20 miles an hour. Monarchs were seen nectaring primarily on sawtooth sunflowers blowing in the wind. In one hour and 15 minutes, 140 monarchs were counted.

September 9
Another beautiful day at Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge. The temperature was in the mid-70s, and a northeast wind was blowing at 10 to 20 miles an hour. During an hour and 45 minutes of observation, 104 migrating monarchs were noted.

September 8
The excellent weather continued today with a clear sky and temperatures in the mid-50s during the late morning. The wind was blowing from the north at 10 to 20 miles an hour. Monarch migrating activity continued at Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge, but the numbers were down from the previous day. Observations for two and one-half hours turned up 202 monarchs. Away from the refuge and in our butterfly garden, other monarchs were noted moving to the south.

September 7
The strong monarch activity continued on the prairie at Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge. Once again, the day was beautiful with a clear morning in the mid-60s and a light wind from the east. Monarchs were seen nectaring on tickseeds, sawtooth sunflowers, and thistles. The numbers of migrating monarchs continued to increase. In two hours of observation, 440 monarchs were noted.

September 6
Monarch butterfly migration activity appeared to be growing at Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge. The day was clear in the high 50s with a slight breeze. During two hours in the late morning, 290 monarchs were observed nectaring on tickseed and sawtooth sunflowers. The activity clearly was stronger than it had been a day earlier.

Prairie City, IA

Latitude: 41.6 Longitude: -93.3

Observed by: Robert
Contact Observer

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