Date: 09/14/2022

Number: 75

This was the first evening of seeing more than just a few monarchs coming in to roost. Counted a few groups of around 15 each, and with the addition of several singles and pairs, totaled up to around 75. Butterflies started arriving around 5:30 and continued until just after sunset with the largest numbers coming in at around 7:00 p.m. Weather was perfect at 6:00 p.m. with fair skies, temperature of 79 F, calm winds, and a relative humidity of 52%. Skies were clear all day and winds never exceeded 6 mph (from south to west). Temperature dropped to 71 F and relative humidity rose to 81% at 7:00 p.m. Winds remained calm. Heading for a low of 56 F tonight and a high of 83 F tomorrow with continued light winds.
The vast majority of the butterflies congregated on lower branches (10' off the ground) of mature Silver Maple trees, with a few small groups favoring Bald Cypress and Arborvitae windbreaks. Almost all groups were located on west-facing branches.
There were several individuals nectaring as well, primarily on Tithonia, Sunflower, garden Phlox and Sedum.

Bement, IL

Latitude: 39.9 Longitude: -88.6

Observed by: Thomas
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