Date: 04/05/2022

Number: 15

At 10:20am it was 75 degrees F, sunny w/misty clouds at times, light breezes from the SW, with 90% humidity. I observed 11 individual monarchs at that time: flying, nectaring, resting/sunning, milkweed-seeking & egg-laying. Males sailed low over the grass & sometimes chased a female into the sky. I noticed the females sometimes ducking into the grass ahead of a male's flight path ~ they seem to have a sixth sense in that regard.

At 12:20pm it was 80 degrees F (going to be hot today), partly cloudy, light wind from the SW, with 73% humidity. The grass was still wet with dew. I observed 15+ monarchs as I strolled about the various pastures & meadows. Thankfully, the milkweed is now abundant ~ what a difference a week has made in that regard. There are eggs on many of the milkweed plants and 1st & 2nd instar larvae on a few plants.

One unusual sight was seeing a male monarch chasing a bumblebee across an upper meadow. Apparently, he was quite energized and ready to take on all comers. The males like patrolling nectar and milkweed patches, usually mostly air tussling with other monarchs.

This is a photo of one of the beautiful female monarchs as she takes a nectar break (rest break) from seeking milkweed. The wild blackberry blossoms have been a favorite this year.

Dobbin, TX

Latitude: 30.4 Longitude: -95.8

Observed by: Kathy
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