Date: 10/23/2025

Number: 28

Arrived to the tip area of Point Pelee National Park approximately 09:00 October 24. Temperature in my vehicle when I left the Visitor Centre parking lot was 8°C. Weather app indicating 7°C, windchill of 3°C, Overcast, wind less intense than yesterday, NW 18 km/h gusting to 28. Starting at the tip and walking northward on the east side, scanning with my binoculars, this was the first individual spotted just above head height. The next number were spotted as singles until I got to the larger Mulberry tree reported yesterday. I was able to locate 21 tucked in to this tree. The largest grouping being a group of seven. All were between halfway up the tree to its uppermost branches. All located in Mulberry excepting 2 in Hackberry with eastern exposures and when the sun shone on them they opened their wings. Mostly cloudy conditions initially, changing to mostly sunny. The first few to chance it, starting at approximately 09:45 were a little premature. As they travelled south and left the protection of the tip vegetation, they were impacted by the cold Northwest wind. They fought hard to make it back to the tip. Three individuals ended up in the sand, unable to fly. I picked them up, put them in my toque and placed them on some Wild Grape Vine leaves just under the biggest roost. I was physically able to detect a warming of the temperature. This along with the reducing cloud cover seemed to prompt some of the Monarchs to head out over Lake Erie. Many fought their way back initially, with only a handful crossing at first. Eventually, more committed to the crossing. All were oriented southwest but being carried southeast by the northwest wind. Some were flapping furiously and others just gliding. Weather further out on Lake Erie in the direction they were headed looked stormy. I look forward to any reports from Ohio. I was able to count 20 going out over the lake and not returning. When I left at noon, there were still eight on the east beach sitting with their wings open on various Mulberry trees.

Leamington, ON

Latitude: 41.9 Longitude: -82.5

Observed by: Laura
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