Date: 10/27/2018

Number: 30

Today I observed a group of 30+ monarchs flying and nectaring. Between 10:30am and 11:30am I watched monarchs and queens (in about equal numbers) nectaring on an acre area of tall goldenrod. Also in the mix were buckeyes, Gulf fritillaries, cloudless sulfers, and lots of honeybees. It was 72 degrees F, sunny, 63% humidity, with gentle breezes from the NW.

From 11:30 to 12:15 I saw that the monarchs and other butterflies continued to nectar on the large patch of goldenrod. I went down into our pastures and found 4 monarchs nectaring on blooming milkweed and false garlic flowers. Also, I saw a few queens flying around there too. Until yesterday, I had not seen monarchs or queens all summer ~ they were clearly traveling together.

From 12:45pm to 1:30pm I continued to see a few monarchs flying past in general from north to south. But after 2pm the monarchs and queens had mostly departed the blooming goldenrod and I did not see new arrivals. It was a wonderful brilliant wavelet of colorful, healthy butterflies that are continuing their journey to Mexico.

Montgomery, TX

Latitude: 30.4 Longitude: -95.8

Observed by: Kathy
Contact Observer

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