Date: 09/19/2012

Number: 250

Monarchs were coming across Salem Bay from(most likely)their fall roost at Eastern Point, Gloucester and travelling southwest down Marblehead Neck, funneling into and across the causeway to the mainland. I observed and counted from 3:10 - 4:10 pm. It was a bright sunny, warm afternoon following a chilly night and morning. Many stopped to feed in residential gardens on the Neck. The Monarchs were fighting a southwest wind that I estimate was blowing 10-12 mph. I observed that they were following the causeway road across the harbor rather than flying across the water. They flew low - at a height of inches up to 10 feet above the road (following warm updrafts from road?) - individuals and groups of as many as 15 together. It was a parade that was stopping traffic!

Marblehead, MA

Latitude: 42.5 Longitude: -70.9

Observed by: Sally
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