Date: 09/03/2013

Number: 30

Found and photographed a small roost south of New Richmond, WI and west of Baldwin, WI.
My last photo shows 20 monarchs on two or three near branches. The roost was facing east so the lighting was difficult, but I am confident in my numbers. There were more of them than i counted in the photos, though.........i'm thinking 30+
There were also a few scattered monarchs on a north facing tree edge so there might have been 3 dozen or more monarchs in all in the immediate area.
Again I give thanks to Tom Murphy of Cannon Falls, MN for the best advice in finding a roost: locate a good food source, the bigger the better.
This year, the "bigger" part is especially apt.
This afternoon I was able to spot, using binoculars, only 2 or 3 monarchs at a time from various viewing spots. However, the field was many hundreds of acres in size so I was hopeful of finding dozens or even hundreds of monarchs roosting.
Turned out to be an overly optimistic estimate, but it is possible that other areas surrounding the several huge blooming red clover fields might have held other clusters. If I could only stop the sun from setting for a few hours..........
Might go back tomorrow morning for some sunny shots.
Prediction is for a north wind tomorrow so don't know if the area will empty out and then restock with new monarchs.
If I get back there tomorrow night, I will give that report.

Baldwin, WI

Latitude: 45 Longitude: -92.3

Observed by: Pat
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