Date: 09/18/2025

Number: 3

1904 Hours

3 monarchs in a bur oak (Quercus macrocarpa) about 11 meters above the ground on the south side of the tree. There may have been other monarchs in the tree, but it was difficult to determine due to the level of light and shadows. The area is part of a large restoration project. During the walk, I observed numerous monarchs flying and nectaring. Just before sundown, there were a lot of monarchs in flight throughout the area. They would explore trees but then would continue their flight to the west or southwest towards trees or wooded areas. Most likely, there were monarchs roosting throughout the area, but I was unable to locate any large clusters. Due to the amount of monarchs in flight, it seems like we are in the peak migration of the tail end of it.

At sunset. 78 degrees (24.44 C). Sun has set on the horizon. Very light winds at 5 mph with gusts up to 9 mph from northeast. Wind picked up at sunset. Sunset was at 1854 hours.

Middle Grant Creek Restoration Area, Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie (U.S. Forest Service).

Photo shows tree. I could not capture the roost.

Elwood, IL

Latitude: 41.4 Longitude: -88.2

Observed by: Mike
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