Date: 10/31/2025

Number: 4

Arrived to the tip area of Point Pelee National Park approximately 11:15 November 1. Overcast. According to the weather app on my phone 9°C, wind W 15 km/h gusts 22 km/h. The west side of the tip had strong winds so I headed to the east side. Starting at the tip and walking north along the east beach, I was scanning using my binoculars and the naked eye while collecting garbage. I met up with some birders who said they hadn’t seen any Monarchs this morning. At this point the sun was starting to peek out from behind the clouds and the temperature was warming up on the east side in the lee of the wind. The birders headed northward ahead of me. They called out to say they had spotted a Monarch. As I headed towards them I noticed one sitting with its wings open to warm in the sun at knee height on a Wild Grape vine leaf. It is pictured in the photograph above. Subsequently, the birders pointed out another Monarch which flew towards me headed south. I followed Its progress using my binoculars. As it left the wind shadow created by the vegetation, it was impacted by the cold west wind. It turned around and headed north. I did not see where it went. After searching in vain, I continued further north and observed a park visitor photographing what looked like a Monarch and using my binoculars, I was able to see it. As I approached him he showed me a photograph of a male sunning on a Mulberry leaf close to the sand. He indicated it had headed into the woods. A short while later I watched another Monarch attempt and abort the crossing of Lake Erie. I have not been to Point Pelee since October 27 but I’ve been told by a Park employee that the wind has been strong from the west for a number of days and there was a whole day of rain. I am concerned that these Monarchs have been stalled here due to these unfavourable conditions. (See report from October 28 for adult sighted.) Earlier in the autumn when the weather and wind were similar to today, the Monarchs would sit basking on the east beach. Today when their crossing was aborted, they headed into the forest. In spite of trying, I could not locate them. I did see one Monarch flying in the forest but was unable to locate where it landed.
These Monarchs were roosted on All Hallows Eve.
This isn’t the first time I have seen Monarchs on Dia de los Muertos.

Leamington, ON

Latitude: 41.9 Longitude: -82.5

Observed by: Laura
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