Date: 08/31/2012

Number: 1

After collecting more than 100 eggs over the past 3 weeks in my tiny (30 plant) milkweed patch, I wandered a few miles north yesterday seeking milkweed leaves to feed the hoard. I found three of my favorite small stands of milkweed mown to the ground.

Then on a road through Amish farms in southern Lancaster County, I found three different small patches (10-15 plants) of very fresh milkweed by the roadside. I'm guessing that township mowers had been there in early July. From these, I gathered 30 eggs, 16 first instars and 3 very mature fat cats.

I've seen fewer than 10 Monarchs all summer. The only abundant butterflies are cabbage whites.

We had a very mild drought, but have had substantial rain over the last 3 weeks. Temperatures have been in the high 80's F.

Given other reports from locations north of here, it would seem that the migration has yet to reach my garden -- 39.75 latitude. But I'm confused by my egg count, given that last year I found only 40+ eggs on my patch all summer.

Oh, and I did raise 3 cats from eggs in late June. Catching the northbound flight was a new experience.

Courtesy of Monarch Watch

Nottingham, PA

Latitude: 39.7 Longitude: -76

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