Date: 04/20/1997

Number: 1

This AM I saw 10 monarchs at the top of Illinois' second highest peak (1065 ft.), Williams' Hill in north Pope County--which is in southeastern part of the state. They were nectaring on autumn olive shrubs which seem to be everywhere and basking on the mud. I was looking for birds and checked an old clearcut which is still pretty much open but is slowly being taken over by more autumn olive and had 15 monarchs there. Most showed little wear considering their age. I noticed a Broad-winged Hawk circling low over this opening and observed a repeated attack on the hawk by a hummingbird! A curious Monarch flew at the hawk, too. At 10:30 I spotted a pair of Monarchs in copulo.
Courtesy of Monarch Watch
Monarch Watch

Rising Sun, IL

Latitude: 37.4 Longitude: -88.6

Observed by:
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