Date: 10/03/2020

Number: 10000

Thousands of monarchs roost at my parents house every fall on their migration.

First noticed them Saturday 10/3 I think that morning. They could have come in late the evening prior not entirely sure when exactly.

The numbers are a complete estimate. The first day she didn’t look everywhere so they could have grown or could have all been there.

They have 20-30 oak trees that they roost in as well as vitex (they love their nectar as well as another plant). There are also lots of other flowering plants and crepe myrtles.

They most prefer the trees on the west side of the house as the house provides a wind block, but honestly they are everywhere. Their other favorite area is also shielded by a tennis court wind screen.

They originally started coming 15ish years ago to the oak trees on the west side of the house and since then have steady increase in number such that there is honestly no way for me to quantify them.

When my kids run under the trees they fly and swirl around them.

We do not see them fly off for nectar and I suspect they enjoy the plants my parents have.

I suspect they return each year as we are on their path and west Texas is generally flat with little vegetation and water. My dad has planted a forest around his house and I suspect the oasis in the desert is the attractant.

See video on Journey North YouTube Channel:
Midland Texas Monarch Roost

Midland, TX

Latitude: 31.9 Longitude: -102.1

Observed by: Reagan
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