Date: 09/28/2014

Number: 4

I'll say a slight cheer...spotted 4 monarchs today for a total of 12 for the year (that's up by 2 from last year.) First 3 were spotted in space of 15 minutes starting at 8:45 am while I was walking my dog. Number one was soaring south at 25 ft and climbed to about 40 ft while I was watching. Next one was a female who was feeding on butterfly bush and phlox for about 5 minutes before climbing to 20 ft and flying south. Last of the 3 was a female feeding on veronica and other flowers before gaining altitude and flying south. Fourth monarch was soaring at around 10 ft and sighted at 9:40 am. I could not sex the two that were flying. All looked like recently emergent monarchs--brightly colored and whole. (This is probably peak migration based on low numbers sighted this year. Note: I normally am outside this time of day each day and have not been seeing butterflies. Most I have sighted this year have been seen sometime in the afternoon.)

Weather--partly sunny but clouds were increasing during the 4 hours outside, low 63 F, temp when I began walk at 8:20 am was 66 F climbing to 73 F when I went inside; slight breezes under 5 mph.

king george, VA

Latitude: 38.3 Longitude: -77.1

Observed by: jessica
Contact Observer

The observer's e-mail address will not be disclosed.
Contact will be made through a web-based form.