Date: 10/02/2024

Number: 150

Arrived to the extreme tip area of Point Pelee National Park around 08:00. Conditions according to the weather app on my telephone: sunny with some high cirrus clouds, temperature 16°C with a windchill of 13°C, humidity 76%, wind out of the southwest at 232° speed 17 km/h with gusts up to 25 km/h, barometric pressure 102 kPa and rising.
There was a strong southwest wind being warmed by the lake which was evident as I biked down the road from the visitor centre parking lot. I immediately headed to the east side. It takes a bit of effort to explore this section as there is a lot of erosion and fallen trees. Started to notice small groupings hanging out on the extreme eastern edge of the eroded shoreline. Using my binoculars and gingerly making my way through the forest I started to notice small groupings of Monarchs mostly in Mulberry and Hackberry trees. It should be noted that this is a National Park and you are supposed to stay on the trail in order to not disturb the delicate ecosystem. I was extremely careful. This photo was taken around 08:29. Shortly after this photo was taken, I started observing that Monarchs were travelling up the east beach toward the tip. Some were venturing out over Lake Erie trying to go south but being blown north east and then having to find the wind shadow and make their way back up to the tip. All roosts that I sighted started to grow so I stopped counting. When I left, I had lost count at 850. I continued exploring for four more hours. See separate reports under Peak migration.

Point Pelee National Park, ON

Latitude: 41.9 Longitude: -82.5

Observed by: Laura
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