Date: 09/21/2014

Number: 50

I'm thrilled to report a roost of 50+ monarchs. I watched them gather tonight on the edge of my neighbor's 10 acre clover field that's in full bloom. I'm sure there were 100+ nectaring today throughout the field, but they didn't all roost in the same place. I found singles and doubles along the tree line.

The roosting process was fascinating to watch: A butterfly would scout up and down the 100 yard tree line, back-and-forth. If it came close enough (within ~ 5 feet) to the group I was watching, the resting butterflies would flash their wings in unison-- and the monarch would circle around in join in (--or not).

The butterflies were clustering loosely at the tips of a low branch of a tall ash tree, about 15 feet above the ground. The tree is probably ~80 feet tall. The branch they selected extends out from the tree line more than any other. (See branch at left in picture.) The roost was on the north side of the tree; a strong south wind was blowing all day, but had calmed by 6:00 when I was watching. At 10:30 pm I heard the wind howling and rain pelting against the windows. Would they move to the south side of the trees? Would they fall to the ground?

I went back this morning (9/22/14) at 7 am. Temperatures had fallen to 49F, the wind had shifted to the west and was blowing 15 mph. To my amazement, the monarchs were still gripping onto the leaves of the ash. The wind was tossing the branch to and fro and the monarchs held on for the ride, swaying at least 5 feet back and forth. I did find one monarch on the ground. It was shivering to reach flight threshold and clumsily tried to fly when I approached.

Charlotte, VT

Latitude: 44.3 Longitude: -73.2

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