Date: 10/08/2023

Number: 95

Note- don't miss the video posted at end!
5:15-6:40 before 7:00 sunset, about 95 monarchs located on east side of Tip at Point Pelee National Park, in clusters already established (5:35), looking west standing on east sandy shoreline. A few monarchs still flying around quickly joined established clusters. They were in Hackberry trees mostly up to 35-40'up, all on east/southeast sides of trees to catch the sunrise to warm. There were clusters of 2's & 5's, 15 & a couple 18's. Found on the sand one very tattered monarch which I moved to a protected area out of the wind.
*** Monarchs were being blown from the west wind out of the trees & tossed to east side over the lake. They slowly fought their way back flapping to the west back to the trees *** however 1 ended up IN the lake. Wouldn't be the first time I rescued one from the lake. Story & video to follow. I wasn't the hero.
Partly sunny & 13°c, real feel of 10c, with very strong west wind @ 32/48kmh.
Daytime high 14c, overnight low 6°c. Unfavourable west wind will continue a couple more days. Plenty of asters in the park to sustain them. But they're not leaving the trees their grasping against the mighty wind.
Observations by eye, binoculars, camera & visitors!
Monarch in the Lake! Story & video-

10/8/23 While conducting the evening monarch counts before sunset & watching some monarchs out over the lake on the east side fighting the strong west wind to get back to the trees (See videos posted earlier) one monarch got too low & ended up IN the lake. I know they are waterproof/repellent. So I removed my shoes, rolled up my pants, went to retrieve a long dead branch from the beach to extend my reach cause it kept moving further away & started to enter the lake. It was cccccold! A gentleman visitor said he would go. While we were discussing that.....watch the monarch.......
https://youtube.com/shorts/O_YD4Rqbhek?si=l3agMPd7QXR_ToUD

Point Pelee National Park, ON

Latitude: 41.9 Longitude: -82.5

Observed by: Darlene
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