Date: 10/19/2021

Number: 1

Attached image taken near dusk shows an approximate one acre swath of an upland savanna with abundant Common Milkweed which is showing mostly dropped foliage and opened seed pods, observed when walking a deer trail.

After spending some time making several conservative calculations, 23,000 milkweed plants were estimated to be in the area of approximately five acres total.

It's hoped that these fields were the nursery to hundreds, or thousands, of the Monarch butterflies successfully making their way south along the central flyway; and to provide the food and shelter for many Monarchs returning to northern summer range in 2022.

Unusually high temperature today briefly hit 70°F, at a time of year when some snow is normally expected.

The last adult Monarch of the season at this location was observed and reported on 13 October, which was twenty-four days after the previous day with observed adults on 19 September.

Gulliver, MI

Latitude: 46.1 Longitude: -86.1

Observed by: James
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