Date: 09/30/2013

Number: 6

While visiting Hammonasset Beach State Park in CT, I saw at least 6 Monarch butterflies nectaring on Buddleia/Butterfly Bushes and other flowers at the Meigs Point Nature Center garden. At least 3 were tagged, and using binoculars could read Tag SHG 954 (photo attached - looks like it could possibly be 964, but my notes indicate 954 with binoc view), a male (slight curling on inner left forewing), and Tag SHG 960/possibly SHG 950 with tag more toward outer portion of right hind wing, also a male. On the third tagged butterfly, I could only see partial info, perhaps SIZ 480 - not clear, but enough to see it was not an SHG tag. I read that there was a tagging event held at this location on the previous weekend, so perhaps these were from that release.
The male with the misshapen wing was a strong flyer, and chased another male away from the garden several times; the strength of these light-weight winged beauties continues to amaze me.
Two people were there with a net, and they told me their goal was to tag Monarchs - I talked to them later and found out they tagged at least 3 with Monarch Watch tags.
Very happy to see the Monarchs; I rear them at home in Indiana, so it was a treat to see them while I was visiting family in CT - beautiful butterflies, beautiful day, beautiful setting :)

Madison, CT

Latitude: 41.3 Longitude: -72.6

Observed by: Marilyn
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