Date: 10/21/2014

Number: 200

Dare and washington counties nc monarch movements

Mon oct 21 saw a couple hundred monarchs passing through eastern nc. Didn't have a lot of time to tag but...

Around lake phelps they were flying sw. Around alligator river nwr and on roanoke island they flew west. From whalebone junction south they were all heading south along the banks as i have seen then in past at this time of year. I did see some crossing the sound too, but most heading west from roanoke island were concentrated on goldenrod along the manns harbor bridge and along 64bypass bridge, all heading west.

I doubt its as neat and tidy as southbound coastal monarchs make a turn on 64 west to go to mexico, or stay south and head to florida or offshore (didnt see many over ocean). Or maybe just cross back to the mainland further south and head to mexico?? Or maybe I'm just looking at this from a human point of view because these are the routes I'm following. Surely its just a broad swath of movement, but nectar surely is a concentrator!

I tagged 25 on mon and just 1 during a trip yesterday. Rain and wind but clearing up again later this week and i hope for some more movement. And hoping for some recoveries!!!!

Courtesy of Carolina Leps

roanoke island, NC

Latitude: 35.9 Longitude: -75.7

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