Date: 10/01/2000

Number: 1

On 9/22 we checked a 20 acre corner of a pecan orchard and counted approximately 1,000 Monarchs in about an hour. We saw about12,000 Monarch butterflies total. The butterflies were hanging on the tree limbs on the side away from the wind. Wind was from the S at app. 20mph and gusty. Sky was clear & 98°. A count of my own 1/4 acre revealed a total of 263 Monarchs in 15 minutes. On 9/23, approximately 20,000 Monarch butterflies passed overhead between 5:30 and 6:00PM. A front was moving through, and there were thunderstorms to the NE. Very low counts in my garden.

10/01 the monarchs are coming through again from the NE. Counted 50 yesterday in my gardens, and so did my neighbors in theirs. The Merritts' reported 3,000 at the pecan orchard south of town. Today counted about 80, and they are still coming in. The high yesterday and today in the high 90's, clear, wind this evening from the south at app 10-12mph.

Midland, TX

Latitude: 31.8 Longitude: -102

Observed by: Lynda
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