Date: 09/15/2016

Number: 5

We watched five Monarch butterflies fly above the ramp near the University Park Airport terminal (SCE) over the course of five hours today. That’s the most I’ve seen in a single day. All were headed WSW with an easterly tailwind. They flew by individually during that interval:
> 11:30 AM 65ºF wind from the ENE at 7 mph
> 12:50 PM 66ºF wind from the ENE at 8 mph
> 1:20 PM 68ºF wind from the ENE at 6 mph
> 1:30 PM 69ºF wind from the ENE at 7 mph
> 4:30 PM 71ºF wind from the ENE at 6 mph
The middle three came through while we were working with a Canadair Regional 200 jet. In each case, I was fascinated to see them be flying over the ramp at about 10 to 20 feet above the ground, then climb to about 50 feet as they flew by or over the jet (with its engines running) and then drop back down to continue their flights. What amazing creatures!

State College, PA

Latitude: 40.9 Longitude: -77.9

Observed by: R. Timothy
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