Date: 10/21/2014

Number: 700

I received the e-mails below from one of the volunteers who helps me plant seaside goldenrod each year at CNWR. Apparently, for several days, the wind has prevented monarchs from leaving the island. They won't make the water crossing on strong W or NW winds. The attached photo shows monarchs nectaring on Oct 21 around 4pm on one of the seaside goldenrod plants that my volunteer group planted about 15 years ago along Tom's Cove. In her message below, she mentions the hook. She is referring to the "elbow" in the southern-most tip of the island at Tom's Hook.

I checked the 10-day forecast for the island, and it seems there won't be a NE wind until Thursday and Friday, Oct 30 & 31. At least the monarchs have plenty of seaside goldenrod to nectar on to build up fat reserves while they wait out the wind.

Tuesday, the 21st was the day to be on the beach at the Refuge. I am attaching a photo to show you what I mean. It was glorious!

Friday, the 24th: In the afternoon I checked the hook again. There was still a
sizable number of Monarchs out there-- even after all the rain and high
winds we have had. The wind was bad again today and they were lying low.
Hope Mother Nature gives them a break so they can make a run for it this
weekend!

October 29
On the day the photo was taken, monarchs were clustered as in the photo in the stands of taller goldenrods. If memory serves, the wind was NW but the wind speed was very low and the afternoon was warm into the mid to upper 70's. There were good numbers of monarchs in the air just drifting about, not hurried, seeming to be enjoying the day and the availability of good nectar. So, with all that in mind, I would estimate that I saw about 600--700 Monarchs. I was there for about 2 hours and walked from the beginning of the OSV zone (parking lot 5) halfway to the old Coast Guard station on Tom's Hook.

Assateague Island, VA

Latitude: 38 Longitude: -75.3

Observed by: Denise
Contact Observer

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