Date: 09/26/2024

Number: 71

Arrived to the tip area at Point Pelee National Park approximately 07:30 to overcast skies. Wind had shifted overnight to NNE. According to the weather app on my telephone conditions at 07:30: temperature 18°C with a windchill of 16°C, wind NNE 24° at 14 km/h with gusts up to 19 km/h, barometric pressure 102 kPa and rising. When I left on the afternoon of September 25 at 13:00 wind was SW. All the roosted Monarchs I saw on the east side of the tip were dispersed. I did not observe any crossing the lake upon my arrival. I did observe one Monarch in the undergrowth nectaring on the Asters. Headed back out to the west path. I assumed that all individuals I saw yesterday must have left before sunrise or shortly after. Headed to the calm west side of the tip onto the sand in the lee of the wind. Started noticing individuals coming over the tree tops, heading south west towards Pelee Island. Started a count. I then started to notice individuals coming over the tops of the trees and looking for a place to rest. Most chose Hackberry trees. The individual pictured chose this tree. Looks to be some kind of a maple. Roughly half crossed Lake Erie. The other half chose spots on trees above the sand. I was surprised, as I thought with the NE wind, they would’ve all left. Lots of action at the tip this morning, many different birds of prey, songbirds, and hundreds of Blue Jays.
Duration of observation was approximately two hours.

Point Pelee National Park, ON

Latitude: 41.9 Longitude: -82.5

Observed by: Laura
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