Recovery of Fall Migration?

[dannus plex]

Wow, I could have used at least 150 more tags. With dismal numbers last fall, I ordered only 125 tags. They are done. Last year at this time, I had only tagged a handfull. Seems like predictions of a greater than average migration are true. At least on these north shores of Lake Erie. And I don't think the maximum will hit for at least another two weeks. Anyone else with similar results???

[Paul Cherubini]

Except on the Atlantic coast, the timing of the peak point in the migration varies according to latitude. Right now should be the peak for the north shore of Lake Erie and two weeks from now you should be seeing alot fewer monarchs. The only exception is if strong southerly winds occur in an area for many consecutive days at a time. Prolonged strong southerly winds can delay the progress of the migration, thus causing large buildups of migrants to occur on dates past the usual peak dates. Conversely, prolonged northerly winds can disperse the migrants so that observers hardly notice any particular days of peak movement.

[psi_chemie]

I wasn't sure I'd be able to use all my tags either (100), but I've used 75 so far without trying too hard, even. I could have done that in a day if I really wanted. But one thing that I am finding in my tagging site, are my own tagged butterflies:

Found again today 9/13 a male tagged on 9/8
Found again 9/12 a male tagged on 9/9
Found again 9/8 a female tagged on 9/6
Found again 9/8 a male tagged on 9/6

These 4 are ones I (re)netted by mistake. More often, I see the tag on the butterfly and don't bother catching it again.

Interesting..

[Teresa]

That happens to me Sometimes i'll recatch them just to see when I released it. It's usually 2 or 3 days prior so they must stick around for a bit before they take off.

[psi_chemie]

Maybe they're waiting for a change in the weather.

[Teresa]

I figured they'd at least go in search of other flowers tho.

[dannus plex]

They are outta here!! I visited Point Pelee National Park yesterday (the most southernly part of landbound Canada) and the official count for the day was 800 Monarchs at the tip of the country at 8 a.m. We saw clusters of 10-15 in the trees. In the woods groups of 12 or so would be flutttering overhead in the Hackberry trees. Not exactly like Michoican, but not bad.