Date: 09/15/2023

Number: 27

After a quiet evening yesterday, tonight was busy again, especially right before sunset.
Noticed the first few Monarchs arriving at around 5:00 p.m., where they joined the group already nectaring on the Tithonia plants. Single butterflies arrived at a fairly constant rate, with many roosting briefly before heading back out. The real activity occurred in the hour before sunset as several groups of twos and threes came over the windbreak and settled in. Most were in the Arborvitae windbreak, with some small groups residing in the Hackberry and Silver Maple trees. At one point around 7:00 p.m. I counted 8-10 Monarchs in the air looking for a resting spot. Counted 27 known specimens, but suspect several others were scattered about in the near-darkness based upon the earlier activity.
Most of the Monarchs were on the south side of the Arbs and Hackberry, and scattered about the Maple. As in previous nights, they were a little higher up than usual; probably around 12'-15'.
Today was fair with calm to E-to SW breezes of up to 9 mph. High was 82F with low relative humidity and a pressure of around 1020 mb. Chance of showers in the forecast for tomorrow afternoon and overnight.
As mentioned earlier, heavy nectaring on Tithonia in the roost area and some activity on remaining zinnia and phlox.

Bement, IL

Latitude: 39.9 Longitude: -88.6

Observed by: Thomas
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