Date: 09/30/2018

Number: 300

Several hundred in a fallow field nectaring on aster and goldenrod (hard to estimate there were likely many more). The most I've ever seen at one time in this area. We were able to capture and tag 34 before they all starting leaving to roost in nearby trees. An amazing sight and encouraging to think population may have grown this year.

This was my first roost observation and biggest number of migrating Monarchs I've seen at one time though this seemed a bit late. It was very difficult to estimate the number of monarchs in the field since they were moving around and the field was very tall. Based on scanning the field and the number we tagged I would say 250-300+ and that is very conservative and likely much higher than that.

Most of those monarchs headed to the roost. We counted 23 in 1 minute which continued for 15-20 minutes and likely longer so I would say 300-500 and probably much more than that. I wanted to get photos but the light was fading and the monarchs were spread out in trees so hard to get a picture. I really hoped to find them clustered up on a low limb but no luck.

(Also in Roost)

Batesville, IN

Latitude: 39.2 Longitude: -85.3

Observed by: Chris
Contact Observer

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