Date: 10/09/2021

Number: 1000

Hundreds of Monarchs roosting in pecan and bald cypress trees near the Hardin Administration Building at ACU. Temps in upper 80s and winds out of the south at 10-15mph. Primary pecan tree is somewhat shielded from the wind. Nearby at Brown library, nectar flowers include Gregg's blue mist, red yucca, vitex, Turk's cap. Expecting a cold front the evening of 10/10/21, so they will likely head out soon.

[Additional information contributed by observer, added by Journey North, 10/11/21]:

These images are primarily from one large pecan tree adjacent to the Hardin Administration on campus (southwest corner). It is tucked fairly close to the building and has shelter from east winds. However, this is not the only location. There are several other pecan trees and a bald cypress close by which also had significant roosts. Further to the north, there were large roosts in the live oak trees on the south wall of Zellner Hall (sheltered from north wind), and additional roosts in live oak trees between the McGlothlin Campus Center and the Onstead-Packer Bible Building (very little wind exposure).

I saw the roost for the first time on 10/6/21, but I think it had been there a couple of days before that. I was over there on Sat., 10/9 and it was larger. On Sun., 10/10, we had a big cold front blow through during the late evening hours, so I would guess they've headed out, but I don't know that for sure. We've had unseasonably warm weather for a couple of weeks - in the 90s most days, some wind, no precip until last night.

We have two large pollinator gardens on campus. One is at the Brown Library, which is closest to all of the locations I've mentioned; the other is east of the Hunter Welcome Center. The east garden is the only one that includes milkweed. Both gardens have similar nectar sources - Gregg's blue mist, Turk's cap, vitex, red yucca, flame acanthus, yarrow, and roses. We have asters both places that would normally be blooming now, but we went for quite a stretch without rain and it's just now starting to come on.

My estimate was just that - but considering mutliple locations, I think close to 1,000 is not unrealistic.

Abilene, TX

Latitude: 32.5 Longitude: -99.7

Observed by: Rendi
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