Date: 09/14/2011

Number: 61

A light rain, strong wind, and temperature in the low 50s at Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge slowed monarch butterfly activity in mid-morning, but as the rain quit and the sky cleared, monarchs were found holding onto tall sunflowers waving in the wind. Groups of four to six were hanging together on the flowers. In two hours, 39 monarchs were counted. A second visit to the refuge in the afternoon turned up another 22 monarchs in one hour. The day clearly demonstrated the difficulties monarchs must face as they seek to make their way south to the Mexico wintering grounds.

Prairie City, IA

Latitude: 41.6 Longitude: -93.3

Observed by: Robert
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