Date: 10/19/2016

Number: 100

At sunrise I was at the grove where I saw the most Monarchs yesterday morning. Temp 71 degrees Hum 91%. Wind almost calm. I found only a few. A few were higher in the trees than before. I saw more flying near the grove, some high, some low near ground some feeding. A few in the grove returned to perches after flushed but as many flew away out of grove. I sSaw only a few singles that might be considered to be “sunning,” ANd they flushed easily and flew away. Next grove similar but even fewer inside. Returning to house I continued to see scattered Monarchs feeding.

No directional flight observed.

What is apparent is that most of the Monarchs left the first grove I visited after sunset and before sunrise. So apparently they do fly at night, or at least in the dim predawn. So if the situation occurs again I guess I have to find a way to monitor all night. Although there is the practical problem of seeing in the dark. Too much artificial light might alter behavior.

Since moon overnight was slightly more than 5/8 and not obscured by clouds I first wondered if they took advantage of the suddenly calm wind and headed south. But then I found many still around feeding and I saw no directional flight. So maybe both. Reported number is actually observed, not scaled up from a sample.

Glen Rose, TX

Latitude: 32.1 Longitude: -97.9

Observed by: Gregg
Contact Observer

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