Backyard and Beyond

Starting out from Brooklyn, an amateur naturalist explores our world.

As John Burroughs said, “The place to observe nature is where you are.”

Monarch Migration

Yesterday was pretty extraordinary. Between 7:30 and 9:30 a.m., I watched just over a hundred Monarchs drift by our apartment windows, some as close a few feet, others as far as a third of an avenue block away. They’re awfully small at that distance, but still distinctively fluttering. Flight is meandering, but still swift and purposeful. Mexico, here we come!

Some where up high, others below eye-level. Some skimmed just above the roofs. These latter had to rise up to get beyond the London plane trees lining the edge of the park. There were undoubtedly more: I wasn’t on the lookout the entire two hours.
Then, a few hours later, I found a host of them around the buddleia at Valley Water. I counted about 30 here,
They would erupt into the air when a truck went by. This always makes me think I’m in a magical realist plot-line.
One of them was tagged! I’ve never seen a tagged Monarch below. I’ve reported it and will let you know what I hear back.

mthew

4 responses to “Monarch Migration”

  1. Jean

    I found a tagged monarch in the jaws of a praying mantis at Chelsea Garden Center in Red Hook on 9/12. I reported it but haven’t heard back.

    Reply
  2. Chuck McAlexander

    What is the purple flower the Monarchs are landing on?

    Reply
    1. mthew

      Buddleia, butterfly bush. Pure crack for Lepidoptera.

      Reply
  3. 2021, Part I | Backyard and Beyond

    […] Never found out where this Monarch was tagged. […]

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