Date: 09/23/2022

Number: 300

Point Pelee National Park at the Tip at Point Pelee National Park 5:50-7:30. Sunset 7:25
14°c Partly cloudy with WSW wind @ 6/11 kmh.
12°upon departure.
Daytime high 15c
Overnight low 10c

Just north of Tip shuttle stop observed monarchs establishing a roost high up in a Hackberry tree on east side of road. They have been seen in this tree in previous years. Roost on north side of tree 70' up. Not a sheltered area. Way high & open. Roost increased in size til sunset.

Further south over west path observed a few monarchs flitting about tree Tip at poplar tree. Suddenly noticed bird activity. Observed a Yellow-billed cuckoo (also migrating south) catch a monarch mid air and gulped her down. Took a loooong minute. See video below.
Visitors watched as it ate 2 more.
It had been reported that about 30 had been in a cluster but flew off. Afterward there was 7.

Cuckoo-
https://youtu.be/lrNCCWY56v4

Establishing cluster-
https://youtu.be/kQxvf4pKoJ4

More photos here-
https://www.facebook.com/PeleeParadiseSanctuaryMonarchWaystation10275

Point Pelee National Park, ON

Latitude: 41.9 Longitude: -82.5

Observed by: Darlene
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