Date: 03/15/2021

Number: 3

At 2pm I saw a female monarch nectaring from false garlic flowers in our front yard. It was 77 degrees F, sunny, 50% humidity, with a light breeze. Yesterday I had not seen any monarchs ~ it had been in the low 50's and rainy all day

After following her as she continued to nectar on false garlic flowers, I then went about and saw another 2 monarchs nectaring from the blooming flowers of a Mexican plum tree (on a fenceline by our ditch).

I didn't see any egg-laying at that time and in checking the known milkweed sprouts, I didn't find any eggs. I did find some more milkweed plants emerging in more locations, which was heartening.

After the mid-February freeze which took us to down to 4 degrees F and 3 days of snowfall, we weren't sure how the milkweed or nectar plants would fare. But all is looking very good. Wildflowers are coming up wonderfully, the trees are beginning to leaf out and bloom, and thankfully the milkweed is emerging. Birds, bees, and butterflies, etc. are buzzing.

At 6:15pm I saw a female monarch laying eggs on milkweed sprouts (about 6 different plants in my observation of her). At the same time I saw 2 other monarchs nectaring and flying around the Mexican plum tree enjoying the nectar-rich blooms.

Not sure how many monarchs I saw for sure today, but I know there were 3 observed at the same time twice ~~ maybe the same 3 is what I am thinking. It was wonderful to see them & glad they are finding milkweed and nectar plants.

This is a photo of the beautiful monarch laying her eggs on a tender milkweed sprout. If you look closely you can see one newly laid egg higher up on the stem.

Montgomery, TX

Latitude: 30.4 Longitude: -95.8

Observed by: Kathy
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