Date: 10/20/2017

Number: 700

Chincoteague NWR and Assateague Island National Seashore, VA
Oct 20, 9am to noon, 68-70 degrees F, sunny, NNW wind at 5mph. -- perfect for migration.

Monarchs were migrating over all the sunbathers, fisherman, and beach-walkers this morning during counts on a average of 216 monarchs per hour. When I left at noon, the rate had increased (visually obvious-- monarchs everywhere). They were flying low (below waist level), and stopping frequently to nectar on the seaside goldenrod along Tom's Cove. There were occasional swirls of monarchs. I've seen this in-flight swirling behavior early in the season, but never this late. In fact, in 19 years of observing the monarch migration here, I have never seen a wave of monarchs this numerous, this late in the season. Just remarkable! And it may continue until dark if the wind cooperates. Folks down at Kiptopeke and Fisherman's Island--get ready.

Courtesy of Monarch Watch

Assateague Island National Seashore, VA

Latitude: 38.1 Longitude: -75.2

Observed by: Denise
Contact Observer

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