Date: 05/10/2013

Number: 1

One adult was sighted flying due north over my 7th floor apartment building around 3 p.m.

During autumn migration this is a frequent sighting along the same route.

YES I am certain it was a very early Monarch; for 2 years I have been learning to identify them & am actively involved in gathering eggs to mature through larval & pupal stages to be released again.

My eyes could not believe what I was seeing; it flew only about 100 feet above my window.

While the sky was overcast (about 15 C), as it continued the characteristic Monarch directional flying style north, a break in the clouds caught it in the sunshine; no mistaking those orange wings.

The size also was appropriate. From this window alone, I have counted dozens heading south in the autumn; it seems to be a popular mini-flyway.

Checking the weather, there has been a warm front that brought above seasonal temperatures to this area of Southern Ontario for the past few days; was it caught on the winds of the gulf stream that helped it advance ahead of the crowd?

While it is colder again now, there are lots of blossoms, dandelions and flowers for nectaring, and the milkweed locally is up and growing.

HAMILTON, ON

Latitude: 43.3 Longitude: -79.9

Observed by: Joenna
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