Date: 08/19/2020

Number: 33

33 again. My numbers are minmum. I can't see everywhere in my yard at the same time, but I count multiple times and the numbers are "at least" and not over-estimated.

Here's how I count. I do a sweep from left to right and count every monarch I see - like moving an imaginary windshield wiper across the view and if a butterfly crosses then I add or subtract that one to/from the count I'm keeping. Then I do it again - many times throughout the day. The highest count gets recorded.

Because it's a 60-foot lot on a slope, I stand in an upstairs window to do the counts. I end up recording the highest single count of the day - and do not over-estimate. If there are 2 or 5 in the back yard, that are not flying but staying on the same plants, I note those as additional to the count in front.

I keep a hash-mark count so I just add to it to get the highest single count for the day.

Plantings:
I have planted at least FIVE kinds of native liatris - had to do some research this evening looking through my garden journals.
Liatris:
ligulistylis
aspera
punctata
cylindracea
spicata

The milkweeds I have are mostly butterfly weed and common milkweed:
asclepius tuberosa and asclepius syriaca. I've recently planted swamp milkweed so there's a bit of that.

The nectar plants are plentiful. Most of the a. tuberosa has already passed bloom, and the bulk of the liatris have, as well. But the latest blooming liatris is still doing well - wish I had even more of that. I believe, but not sure, that it's either l. ligulistylis l. aspera.

Also should mention no pesticide usage, but I could be better at cutting back milkweed throughout the months so there would be fresh leaves for egg laying. Always something.

p.s., We moved here in 2010. First started noticing monarchs right away, but as I planted more and more for wildlife, they have really made my yard a destination.

Minneapolis, MN

Latitude: 45 Longitude: -93.2

Observed by: Diana
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