Date: 10/01/2021

Number: 31

Clover field near the southwest corner of Sherk and Oak Streets. Once again, I observed with binoculars and the naked eye at 08:20 and 14:30. Temperatures 17°C and 21°C, Wind 210° to 240° between 12 and 14 km/h. Counted the same number of Monarchs in the morning as in the afternoon. One individual with a unique hindwing was observed in the morning and the afternoon as well as the previous afternoon. So it is safe to say that many of these Monarchs were probably the same individuals. I suspect that these monarchs roosted here September 30 as the conditions were not favourable for them to leave.

Sadly this will be my last report from this location. The clover field has been mowed. Not before many out-of-town visitors to Point Pelee National Park were able to come to observe and photograph Monarchs nectaring here. This autumn’s observations have highlighted and cemented for me, the idea that it is not trees and forests that Monarchs need but it is meadows and uncut prairie areas. No amount of captive rearing can help the Monarch population more than people leaving fallow fields. I was fortunate to attend a lecture by Jane Goodall decades ago and when someone in the audience asked her what they could do in their own little corner of the world, her answer was “ to leave the edges wild.” Let Mother Nature rule. That is how I am closing this report, along with a huge “thank you” to Mr. DiMenna(sp) for providing this oasis. Although I never reported it, every day I observed Monarchs, I also observed many other Lepidoptera and bees of all shapes and sizes. Many of our insect friends received a hearty meal thanks to this gentleman’s generosity.

Leamington, ON

Latitude: 42 Longitude: -82.6

Observed by: Laura
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