Date: 10/18/2021

Number: 100

Migrating east to west.

[Additional information contributed by observer, added by Journey North, 10/19/21]:

I am vacationing on the beach at the Fort Morgan peninsula of Alabama. The butterflies “parade” down it from east to west along the beach and also on the 2 lane highway. This area, compared to typical beach areas, has lots of natural areas, including the Bon Secour wildlife refuge. I began counting on my gulf front deck about 7:00 and by 11:40 had counted 83. I continued seeing them at about same rate the rest of the day but got tired of counting. There were other butterflies that were definitely not Monarchs in the parade, but I did not count them. It is possible, however, that some I counted were Viceroys. That’s why I gave you a conservative estimate. This is an annual event here that doesn’t get much publicity.
They were, I guess, 10-30 feet above the ground. I saw a group nectaring on salt baccharis, but I didn’t spend much time where there was appropriate vegetation. I think there are more today.

Gulf Highlands, AL

Latitude: 30.2 Longitude: -87.9

Observed by: Karen
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