Date: 10/14/2018

Number: 55

I do have pictures but will add later. 55 is a total from several sites around property.

During the day working outside near the house (rural location). I saw a few drift overhead. A couple visited nearby Maximilian Sunflowers. Warmest day in quite a while at 84 high. Around 1630 I walked around and checked the closest usual roost trees. Flushed Monarchs from the outside of several Live Oaks and Ashe Junipers. Also saw less than 5 more high overhead. All the large roost friendly trees I checked had Monarchs. I did not find many up inside trees or inside groves. Easily flushed. Not in Groups. None seeking nectar except the ones earlier. Lots of Liatris in bloom and many other flower species. So getting ready to setrtle in but not there.

At the same times many other butterfly species were actively feeding. Thousands of Queens (Danaus gilippus) many of the larger size common this late in the year. Mostly feeding on King Ranch Bluestem (Bothriochloa ischaemum var. songarica) inflorescences (the grass version of flowers). King Ranch Bluestem is growing unusually well with all the rain this year. Unfortunately it is a non-native invasive that is hard to control. Queens and Common buckeyes and a million small moths seemed to prefer it to the Liatris growing with it.

But I digress. I am writing this the day after.
Forecast for 40 degree temp drop, rain and wind was accurate. From 84 at 1645, dropped to 64 at 1900, reached 39 by 0700 this morning and has not been above 41 all day. Several inches of rain and more to come. Forecast to remain in 40s Tuesday and Wed. So Monarchs are not likely to go anywhere.

Front was in Austin 0200 and San Antonio 0300. Temps dropped to 40s there too. I jusst checked and 40s now (10/15 1900)in Northern Mexico.

Glen Rose, TX

Latitude: 32.1 Longitude: -97.9

Observed by: Gregg
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