Date: 09/22/2021

Number: 100

Monarchs flying throughout the day. Several in cypress trees and tall pines. This photo was seen from our deck of neighbors huge maple with numerous monarchs at dusk. Unsure how many. Above number probably low estimate.

[Additional information contributed by observer, added by Journey North, 09/23/21]:
We live in Champaign county just north of the city on an acre of land. We have huge white pine trees and bald cypress. We have large native locust, wild cherry, mulberry and crabapple trees. Recently planed red bud, serviceberry, dogwoods in past 2-3 years since moving here. The roost was next door in my neighbors huge silver maple. I noticed lots of monarchs all day yesterday. I have been seeing them in increasing numbers for about 2 weeks. It is not unusual to see a handful on the cypress and as I was looking at those in the early evening, I looked over and saw the monarchs in huge bunches in the maple. It was sometime after 4pm. I estimated 100 but could have been 200. I am used to counting birds not butterflies in mass. I plant my yard for wildlife and have numerous flowers. I have a large patch of large zinnias close to where they roosted. They regularly feed on them. I also have butterfly bushes, coneflowers, sunflowers and other flowers. I also have common milkweed, butterfly weed and joe pyeweed. I have 5 hummingbird feeders and put out jelly and oranges in the spring for the orioles. I have counted over 130 species of birds in my yard in the 3-4 years since we moved here. Temps were in upper 40’s last night. Winds today were out of the north. Todays high was about 70 and sunny. Yesterday 9/22 was first day of cool weather (jacket weather).

Champaign, IL

Latitude: 40.2 Longitude: -88.3

Observed by: Deanna
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