Date: 09/19/2024

Number: 2

Joined the Monarch hike at the tip of Point Pelee National Park. On the west path visitors were enjoying the view of a female Monarch perched south of the dangerous current sign in a Hackberry tree on the east side of the path. Walking north from that position, I thoroughly scanned all of the interior trees along the west path, to no avail. After spending some time walking along the interior trail, I arrived back at the shuttle stop area to share in the viewing of a male (photo attached) roosting on a denuded Wild Grape vine, as the passengers were loading back onto the shuttle. It has not been a good week for sightings at Point Pelee.
Conditions at 18:54 according to the app on my telephone: sunny, wind 92° at 13 km/h, gusts to 17 km/h
Conditions at the Point Pelee Environment Canada weather station at 19:00: temperature 22°C, humidex 28°C, humidity 84%, dewpoint 19°C, barometric pressure 101.3 kPa

It should be noted that on the drive out of Point Pelee between the Dunes picnic area and the Marsh Boardwalk, I discovered four garter snakes, struck by cars on the road. I hope the irony is not lost on the reader that in order for people to view two Monarchs, four snakes, lost their lives. There is adequate signage along the road alerting visitors to watch out for snakes on the road. “Snakes” does not mean just Massasauga rattlers or Fox snakes; the most common snakes are the tiny garters. They perform a function in the environment and are no less important than any other creature at the park. Please drive carefully.

Point Pelee National Park, ON

Latitude: 41.9 Longitude: -82.5

Observed by: Laura
Contact Observer

The observer's e-mail address will not be disclosed.
Contact will be made through a web-based form.