First visitor to WS3405

[jturk3]

Just before going out of town I found 1 small caterpiller on common milkweed in my waystation.
Let the games begin!!

[Mona Miller]

I'm in Herndon. They have been laying here. I'm seeing new females almost every day.

At Waystation #22 (Meadowlark Botanical Gardens, Vienna, Virginia) I found eggs last Sunday. I do butterfly walks there every Sunday at 3 PM until the end of August (weather permitting). I'll have some caterpillars and pupa to show folks this Sunday.
http://www.nvrpa.org/park/meadowlark_botanical_gardens
Meadowlark Website for more information. It's 90 acres. Check website for directions and fees.

I was helping with a butterfly count in Waterford/Leesburg, Virginia area today. We were out from 9 AM to about 4 PM. Monarch numbers weren't great, but they were there. We did see a few caterpillars, too.

[jturk3]

Now up to 15 cats in various stages, 3 going into J position tonight. My milkweed farm with 4 different varieties is attracting egg layers galore. It seems early to me but looked at last years posts and it must just be the garden attracting them. Beats running around in fields of weeds.

[Mona Miller]

You are right. I can't find any more fields any way. Way too much dang construction. I still have to pick some leaves for those late night munchers and put them in the frig. The neighbors must think I'm a nut out with my flashlight late at night picking leaves. Bringing home buckets of willow lately for Mourning Cloaks. I don't have enough Willow. Pretty soon I'll be search for milkweed. Eggs are being dropped by Momma Monarchs every day.

[jturk3]

I'm now up to 26 caterpillars and chrysalis. I ordered 25 tags and I'm giving 2 chrysalis to friends kids so I need 1 more. I will continue to raise what I find afterward for fun.

[Mona Miller]

I counted 58 caterpillars the other day. I've started noting on sticky notes the number so that I can make sure I do a head count when I'm cleaning out containers and no one gets thrown in the trash.

I'm getting ready to put some outside tomorrow. I'm using a butterfly sleeve. I have a butterfly sleeve that is about 5' long.

I saw this information on the Garden Forum on how to make sleeves:
http://forums.gardenweb.com/forums/load ... 63088.html