Date: 09/22/2023

A friend suggested I check out his field for monarchs to net and tag. He had seen dozens of monarchs on 9/20 as he walked in his field of Joe-Pye-Weed.

When I visited on 9/22, I was stunned to see at least 2 acres of Joe-Pye-Weed, a beloved native pollinator plant in the North East. The blooming was at peak with just a few heads going to seed. The sight was spectacular.

My friend informed me that he mowed the field mid-summer. The mowing was needed as a woody dogwood plant was taking over the area. Removing the dogwood enabled the Joe-Pye-Weed to grow and flourish.

He said he had never seen so many of these pretty pollinator plants. Besides the monarchs, I saw numerous bees, and other butterfly species, American Painted Lady for one.

Although the number of monarchs had declined since 9/20, I did manage to net and tag 4. I was doubly thrilled.

Java Center, NY

Latitude: 42.6 Longitude: -78.4

Observed by: Donna
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