Date: 09/25/2021

Number: 1000

Point Pelee National Park at the Tip 2-4pm
Coldfront arrived in the morning bringing brief rain. Cleared nicely afterward.
18°c partly sunny West wind at 23/37kmh
Shuttle stop-clusters already established on cascading Hackberry branches over the road & near Sparrow Field. Monarchs continued to arrive from the north & add to existing clusters.
Also further south in interior area on Grapevine & bare branches & also 4 different clusters up each level of a Hackberry on east shoreline seen from there looking west.
Monarchs continued to arrive from the east & add to established roosts.
Total of about 400 when I left to return on shuttle to get my car. Being the official counter I'm allowed to drive down to the Tip for sunset count.
5pm returned to shuttle stop area. All clusters there & further south remained established.
Sunset 7:21pm. 17°c with West wind at 27/35kmh
High of 18°c overnight low 13.
A few individuals settled on Hackberry & Grapevine.
Standing at shuttle stop looking north & east monarchs continued to arrive & would disappear to the east. I kept looking cause I felt there was a cluster but could not locate one. Then finally at 6:50pm I could see way very high up 100'or more on the NE side of a tall tree covered in Virginia creeper vine all the way up was THE large cluster of at least 500 monarchs. Only partially visible to visitors from the shuttle road. Being authorized I walked east into interior trees to get a better view. Still not perfect clear view. I'm sure there were more than what I viewed & counted in my photos.

Monarchs appeared pristine with only 2 having small cuts in a wing.
Goldenrod is mostly senescenced but still some in fresh bloom. Park still has Woodland Sunflowers & asters beginning to bloom.
Strong SW wind continues 9/26 & possibly 9/27. 9/28 looks favourable for them journey south.

Observations by eye/binoculars & camera & clicker.

Photos & video here-https://www.facebook.com/PeleeParadiseSanctuaryMonarchWaystation10275/

Leamington, ON

Latitude: 41.9 Longitude: -82.5

Observed by: Darlene
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