Date: 03/22/2022

Number: 2

This is a continuation of the 2nd season of monitoring at this Monarch overwintering site - 24th report this 2021-2022 season (12/06/21-03/22/22).

We had a high count of 50 Monarchs at this site on 02/10/22 (See https://journeynorth.org/sightings/query_result.html?record_id=1526566071 )

On this date (22 March) There were at least two (2) Monarchs at the overwintering site at 31.470235726053687, -84.37641538604468.
Straight-line distance to Atlantic Coast: 178 miles.
Straight-line distance to Gulf Coast: 98 miles.

The photo posted above was shot at approximately 1308 when I briefly visited the over-wintering site. A few hours later I returned to the over-wintering site and there were at least two (2) Monarchs present (possibly 3). There are two additional photos shot at approximately at the same location showing two of the Monarchs together at approximately 1617 here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/rbinv/51956250781/

The Chickasawhatchee WMA is approximately 19,700 acres in size. I walk and drive through this WMA on a regular basis but I probably see only a very small fraction of the area (and butterflies) during my butterfly surveys. Once the warm weather arrived there were many nectar sources available throughout the WMA. As expected, many of the Monarchs and Queens that overwintered here dispersed from the specific overwintering site. However, since I continue to find a small number of Monarchs (and Queens) at the overwintering site during my surveys, I am led to surmise that the Monarchs and Queens have not dispersed very far from the specific overwintering site within the WMA.

Link to the NABA Sighting Report for the entire day over a wide area:
https://sightings.naba.org/sightings/20950

Roy Cohutta
Albany, Georgia
Text: 229-343-5365
iNaturalist: https://www.inaturalist.org/people/3476
BugGuide: https://bugguide.net/user/view/43980

Albany, GA

Latitude: 31.5 Longitude: -84.4

Observed by: Roy
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