Date: 10/01/2011

Number: 600

October 10
I was back out at Robert Moses today, another sunny 80 degree day. It was so gorgeous While I was swimming in the Ocean, a couple of monarchs flew over me into the dunes. I spotted about 150 monarchs feeding on golden rod and other delicacies.

October 8
I was out at Jones Beach and Robert Moses again this afternoon. I spotted over 250 monarchs in 4 hours, they are still coming!!!

The monarchs I spotted earlier today looked strong and once again were feeding on golden rod. It was gorgeous today 77 degrees and sunny with a mild/ moderate south west wind, Closer to sunset the wind picked up a little and the monarchs looked tired. The past several sightings the monarchs roosted together in large numbers and congregated in several trees. Tonight there were smaller roosts 4 -5 monarchs in many pine trees. I don't know if it is because the weather was warmer and will be about 10 degrees warmer throughout the night or the monarch migration is wrapping up.

I read in the Monarch newsletter that the number of monarchs migrating are down this year, however I spotted more monarchs this year then I have since 2005. I don't know if I just happened to time it right, or due to Hurricane Irene that hit the east coast in late August their migration patterns changed or they migrated in greater numbers in less days? But is was a magical and surreal experience.

October 5
After two rainy days comes another magnificent afternoon of monarchs migrating and roosting. I spotted over 500 this afternoon in 2 hours. The wind was moderate from east north east, it was sunny and 65 degrees. It was totally surreal watching the monarchs fly in such numbers in such a short period of time. After feeding on golden rod flowers they settled in the pine trees on the dunes of the beach for the night. They looked very healthy with a couple of monarchs having been tagged.

October 2
Day 2. After a magical day of a large monarch population migrating through the south shore of Long Island, today the journey continues. Once again it is a beautiful 70 degree sunny day with a light south easterly breeze, there are more than 300 monarchs throughout the day. They all look healthy and enjoy feeding on golden rod. They continue to fly from east to west on their long migration. As it gets later in the day, the number of monarchs decreases, with the mid day having the strongest showing.

October 1
The monarchs return! On a beautiful 65 degree sunny Saturday afternoon with a light south-easterly wind the monarchs turned out. I spotted over 600 monarchs on their migration. The food sources are now abundant and popping. As I drove up the Ocean Parkway, the monarchs were flying from east to west. Around 5 pm they started to roost in the pine trees. The majority of the monarchs looked very healthy, a small percentage had a tear in their wing, but this didn't stop them. Along with the monarchs were a couple dozen Buckeye butterflies.

Jones & Robert Moses Beach Babylon, NY

Latitude: 40.6 Longitude: -73.3

Observed by: Barbara
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