Date: 09/07/2019

Number: 450

Visiting the Hamilton area for the Cornish Hen Dinghy Regatta at the Royal Hamilton Yacht Club. Arrived 07:30. Looked up around 09:00 and started noticing Monarchs in directional flight Southwest coming across the harbour at heights from head height to tree top and above. Rate was one per minute approximately. About an hour after the boats launched we headed to the Burlington side of the harbour to the Lasalle Park and Marina for a better view of the regatta on shore and I still noted Monarchs at the rate of one per minute. Flying height again varying from head height at harbour level to some flying above tree top level on the bluff above the harbour. Noticed three nectaring on flowers in the Lasalle Park on the bluff but all the rest were on the move. A friend who was in the harbour on the race committee boat for the regatta noted many monarchs flying past him in the middle of the harbour throughout the race. Dinghys came in off the harbour around 16:30 and that is the last observation I made as I was busy hauling boats after that. Using these observations I feel confident to note a migration rate through this area at one per minute minimum from 09:00 until 16:30 For a conservative total of 450.
It was a beautiful late summer day, partly cloudy with temperatures ranging from approximately 17°C to 22°C. Wind was variable at times but according to the AccuWeather function on my phone 292.5° at 18 km/h at 16:15. The Monarchs were undeterred by the wind and at times seemed to be flying directly into it. Counting was done by texting myself each time I saw one or more and by noting the time in the vehicle while driving. What a beautiful sight to witness. Please note: I will make a separate observation to note the location of the Lasalle Park but the numbers should not be counted twice. The race committee boat was located to the Southeast of the La Salle Park in Burlington.

Hamilton, ON

Latitude: 43.3 Longitude: -79.9

Observed by: Laura
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