Date: 09/09/2022

Number: 1000

[Additional information and photo contributed by observer, added by Journey North, 09/13/2022]:

1. How counted: I was with a friend with a very good camera. In one picture, he counted at least 100 monarchs. That was one small branch. They were flocked around four trees in larger numbers, with several spots similar in numbers per each tree. But, honestly, every tree out there had a concentration of monarchs. And there are quite a few trees. We estimated well over 1,000. My 1,000 number was conservative as I’d never done this before and didn’t want to over report.

2. Length: we got there at 5:15 p.m. and by 5:45, they were circling all around us. We had been told to expect that around 6:30, based on friends who had been there Wednesday night. We stayed until after dark as I wanted to watch the bats and the almost full moon rise. I believe we left around 8:30.

3. Activity: I was trying to figure out a rhyme or reason to their behavior. They were, for the most part, flying out of the field to the east of the grove of trees/picnic area where they roosted. When I pulled in off of Lorenzo Rd. and turned north on Jugtown Rd. at 5:00, they were flying along the road, so I knew we’d see more than I’ve seen in previous years at Midewin.

They bypassed the trees right along the field in favor of the bigger oak and walnut trees in the middle of the picnic area. Flew about 15 feet off of the ground. Roosted mostly in lower branches and loved leafless branches.

Weather-I believe it was in the 80s when we arrived, but cooled as the night progressed. Definitely a light breeze. Not sure of direction, though. I’ll make sure to note this information next year.

Channahon, IL

Latitude: 41.4 Longitude: -88.3

Observed by: Kim
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