Date: 09/12/2021

Number: 100

Saw approximately 100 nectering in about a 1 acre field of natural wild flowers such as clover around 5:30 p.m. Was an amazing sight - I have never seen before!

[Additional information contributed by observer, added by Journey North, 09/18/21]:

It was an estimate. The size of the field was about an acre. By sight, I divided it up into about ten sections and I could clearly see at least ten monarchs in each section...there were others flying among the trees near by, so, it was well over a 100 - but I can't say by how much. It was a significant sighting. The time of day was 5:30 p.m. I watched them for about an hour.

They were nectaring on wild purple clover and also sitting in trees. No direction flight. It appeared they were done migrating for the day.

I also walked the same trail last night 9/17 and arrived at the field at 7:00 p.m. Saw about 20 nectaring and some were up in the trees - but I don't believe it approached the numbers seen on the 12th. Best guess for the 17th was 30 to 40 total.

The trial is the portion of the Monon Trail that runs north out of Westfield, Indiana. The field is directly adjacent to the Monon on the east side of the trial at the crossroad of E. 199th St. It sits on the southeast side. It is private property and this I could not venture into the field. It would be an excellent place to tag wild monarchs. There is a homestead on the property but I have not seen anyone close enough to be able to talk to them. The field sits between the trail and the house.

I live on the south side of Westfield and I have an official registered monarch waystation #6764.

Westfield, IN

Latitude: 40.1 Longitude: -86.1

Observed by: Joyce
Contact Observer

The observer's e-mail address will not be disclosed.
Contact will be made through a web-based form.