Date: 10/10/2016

Number: 200

Large roost in the pecan trees near Hardin Administration Building on the campus of Abilene Christian University, west side of building (main entrance).

I first saw the roost on Monday, Oct. 10. Unfortunately I was out of town the entire week prior, so I don't know when it first formed.

There are several nectar sources nearby. Our university has two dedicated butterfly gardens that include Gregg's Blue Mist, milkweed, aster, turk's cap, salvia, lantana and roses - all of those are still in bloom - as well as vitex trees. One of those gardens is at my building - we've had a lot of individual monarchs and queens here, but I haven't seen any roosts (no big trees here). The roost is all the way across campus from me, and I wasn't able to check it yesterday. There are old pecan trees in front of some of our original campus buildings, and they've been a way station in the past.

Mon., Oct. 10: high temp 81, low 54, average winds 10mph SSE, gusts up to 20mph
Tue., Oct. 11: high temp 86, low 61, average winds 11mph S, gusts up to 24mph
Wed., Oct. 12: high temp 91, low 55, average winds 13mph S, shifting to the N after lunch, gusts up to 33mph. We had a strong cold front blow in yesterday - when I went for a walk yesterday afternoon, there were almost no butterflies, so it's possible the front sent them on their way.
Today's (10/13) high is supposed to be 70, low of 53. When it warms up this afternoon I'll check both locations.

October 13: As of mid-afternoon it looked like the roost was completely gone. It did not warm up like they forecasted today. I'll take a look tomorrow (supposed to be in the 80s) to see if we have any others - if you don't hear from me again, assume they've departed Abilene.

Abilene, TX

Latitude: 32.5 Longitude: -99.7

Observed by: Rendi
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