Monarch Migration Northeastern Lake County, Illinois

[Diane Falk]

Hello all!  After enduring extreme humidity and 90 degree temps. for
approximately two weeks here along the Illinois/Wisconsin border,
Monday's P.M. violent thunderstorm and cool front has increased Monarch
activity.  I station myself near Zinnias, Buddleia, Asters, Tithonia, or
almost anywhere within my several acres of blooming alfalfa field for
tagging during the early A.M. while Monarchs are warming up and have
observed them flying "out" of the protective stems of redcap
Clover/Alfalfa.

Having planted Goldenrod and observing Monarchs swooping over, yet
ignoring this nectar resource, I am puzzled bytheir lack of interest.
The brilliant yellow color of the flowers has begun to fade.  Asters are
now coming into full flower here at Serendipity Children's Memorial
Gardens.  I also did not plant nearly enough Tithonia.  Thankfully
Zinnias, now four feet tall, draw the Monarchs and make tagging easier
for me---I am not a "runner".

I am observing slow, meandering, and low flight patterns of Monarch this
week.  Last week males patrolling nectar areas flew fast and
furious---away from my net.  With the steady South Westerly breeze the
Monarchs seem to cling more tightly to nectar plants and I am able to
swish them into my net or stand closer to all lepidoptera within the
gardens.

Good tagging to all!
Diane Falk
diane at serendipitygardens.org