Date: 10/05/2012

Number: 1

Friday, Oct 5

The first migrating monarch appeared just before 10am. The NW wind at 4mph brought a steady flight of monarchs down the beach until about noon, when the wind shifted from NW to NNE. That was just what the monarchs needed-- a light NNE wind to take them off the island and over to the Delmarva (and possibly across the Chesapeake). Then late in the day, the wind became SSW. That halted the flight any monarchs that were still on the island. I found some monarchs scattered in small numbers in the Bidens wetlands, but they were all too skittish to net.

Saturday morning, Oct 6

No monarchs to be found anywhere on the island this morning. Hopefully, the ones that passed through yesterday are well on their way down the coast. Weather-wise, this certainly has been an unusual 2 weeks, with higher than normal temperatures and lots of wind from the south. We've had only one brief period of rain, otherwise it has been dry. I noticed yesterday that the Bidens is wilting and even the seaside goldenrod looks droopy. No cold fronts have come through since I've been here, which really is strange. But finally, there is a cold front predicted on Sunday, expected to bring lots of rain followed by cooler temperatures on Monday. It that happens, I would expect one last good wave of monarchs to be riding the North wind. Hopefully that happens in the morning since I must leave by noon.

Assateague Island, VA

Latitude: 38 Longitude: -75.3

Observed by: Denise
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