Date: 10/12/2021

Number: 500

Found roosts of 150-209 in several mixed woods canyons at Dobbs Run Ranch.

[Additional information contributed by observer, added by Journey North, 10/15/21]:

I led a tagging team at a private ranch in SW Texas. We had tagged the ranch before but we had always had sufficient nectar on the ground. The ranch had been in a drought for weeks so no nectar!

The ranch manager had spotted some flyers near the river. So I went up the canyon to look for them.

I’m not sure when the roost formed. We saw them Monday night, Tuesday they were still there. There was pretty low barometric pressure and no sun. Storms were in the area though we got little rain. They were still there Wed morning and then moved out.

There was little nectar due to drought but was some Willow baccharis and Salvia faranacia.

Winds were brisk 10-15 mph with gusts to 25 mph on Mon.Temp was 83. Overnight low was 64.

Tues 83 low of 71
Wed 86

I left Wed afternoon.

Monarchs were roosting in Ashe Juniper in steep riparian canyons. Very protected. Especially from taggers.

We found several canyons with roosts. We estimated numbers by counting a few close clusters and using binoculars to count as many clusters as we could see then multiplied.

The roost had started moving but the photo is one of the closer clusters.

Rocksprings, TX

Latitude: 29.6 Longitude: -100.4

Observed by: Cathy
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