Date: 09/08/2021

Number: 108

Monarchs nectaring on clover in field next to Eden Cemetery. I counted 108 as I walked around the perimeter of part of the cemetery, along where the trees are. Some monarchs rested in crabapple and sycamore trees, but clusters of roosts didn't start to form until sunset, in the pine trees. I counted 33 in one tree after sunset. Observed for about 45 minutes. Weather calm, clear, 70s.

[Report moved from Monarch PEAK Migration to Monarch Fall Roost; additional information contributed by observer, added by Journey North, 09/10/21]:

I first noticed numbers of monarchs nectaring and roosting at Eden Cemetery on Sunday evening, Sept. 5. I take my dog to walk there in the evening usually about 6:30 pm until sunset or a bit after. Sunset time now is 7:30. On Sunday evening some were nectaring in the clover field, some paused in one of the 3 crabapple trees, a few stopped in a sycamore tree, and the rest headed to the conifers, mostly white pines that border the cemetery. They have tended to roost on the side of the trees that is out of the wind...we have had a light northwesterly breeze for a few days, so they were in a corner sheltered, facing southeast. Yesterday morning at about 7:30 am I went back and checked the roost I had reported on the night before (108 count). The sun was up and they were just starting to stir, but most were still roosting in the same clusters where I had seen them the night before. A rough count confirmed that the 108 was a fairly good number. When I submitted the 108 count, I did 2 walkabouts, and waited until after sunset when more had settled down, so I wasn't counting the same ones repeatedly. If there are clusters, then I download the pictures to my computer and can see and get a more accurate count that way.
Yesterday evening it was calm, no wind, again 70s and clear. I was surprised that the monarchs roosted on the west side of a different tree, but I think it was because there was no wind, and there was a clearing on the northwest side where some of them were arriving from.
I have not seen any egg laying.
I have seen individual monarchs in directional flight throughout the day in the area, but have not reported these individual sightings. My own unscientific observation is that we have had more monarchs here over the summer than in previous years.

Rhodes, IA

Latitude: 41.9 Longitude: -93.2

Observed by: Linda
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