Date: 09/01/2014

Number: 10

Report on a roost at the Big Lake section that I watch:
I watched monarchs flying singly to the western tree edge of the 40+ acres of prairie grass, milkweed, and goldenrod. I spotted only two single monarchs after they landed. Just before dark, I walked out to the north along the trail and spotted another flying monarch near the top of an elm tree. I used binoculars to verify that it had indeed landed near other monarchs. Luckily two or three other monarchs were still coming in from feeding, and one of those found the roost, bringing about the characteristic welcoming flutter that monarchs exhibit. I was shooting video at the time but thought I could count about eight monarchs for sure. The still photo I took a minute later shows at least eight and possibly ten or even twelve monarchs roosting, so I am going to claim credit for my second roost of the year, one week after the sighting last Monday.
Even more importantly, this particular section has had a very nice population of emerging and feeding monarchs the last few days. I believe many dozens or even hundreds of monarchs will owe their lives to this piece of land.....and in large part to the people who created new milkweed growth patches by cutting down thistles (and milkweed) on July 19.
It is a wonderful piece of land and a wonderful piece of land management............
I have photos, of course, but tonight I'll just show my roost : )

Osceola, WI

Latitude: 45.3 Longitude: -92.7

Observed by: Pat
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