Date: 10/13/2011

Number: 30

Of the hundreds here yesterday after sunset, this morning before sunrise there were almost none. Observed about 25 spread among several large live oaks. A few still hanging but most flying above trees. None on the liatris where they were feeding yesterday afternoon.

About 0730 Saw what was apparently the mating pair observed and photographed yesterday, still on the same small juniper, not yet active.

The general opinion seems to be that Monarchs don't fly at night. More accurately no one has documented that they fly at night. But some of them definitely went somewhere during the hours of darkness. The wind turned north late yesterday with a front passing. There was a full moon and clear sky last night. So if Monarchs do sometimes fly at night, these seem like good conditions. Temp yesterday at 9pm was 78F with overnight low of 60F. Obviously many insects do fly at night and at that temperature.

At 1600-1700 this afternoon counted about 30, widely spread with most feeding on liatris. None near past roost trees.

It's hard to get a good image to convey the number
of monarchs spread out on Liatris Small sample of density is the best
I could manage. Once during afternoon peak, One later after dark with flash.

Chalk Mountain, TX

Latitude: 32.1 Longitude: -97.9

Observed by:
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