Monarchs 2008

[Craig McL]

the Monarch are  doing vary well hear in the Durham area along with its food plant !!  Yesterday July 26 2008 ( in between the storms ) I did a count for 3 hours of a 5 mill or 8 k from our house , the temp. was 23.7 c light wind 10am to 1 pm no storms !

My Monarch count was 38

Witch I think was pretty good. I hope to try again today ..


Craig

[Howieh]

I spent about about half an hour at the spit Wednesday. I parked outside the main parking lot and stayed close to the main gate. Lots of fresh monarchs, a few viceroys and quite a few orange sulphurs were around. Much of the thistle is still in full bloom and the monarchs seem to prefer it now instead of the goldenrod and new england asters which are also blooming. If the weather is ok we'll go down again this weekend. No birds to speak of were visible anywhere.

[Howieh]

I spent about 45 minutes near the gate this afternoon (Thursday), on the east side of the main road. The new england asters are in full bloom and there were LOTS of fresh monarchs feeding on them. There were also lots of fresh orange sulphurs and I also saw a well worn pearl crescent.

[Bluffs Birder]

Hi All,

I was at Scarborough Bluffs Park on Thursday afternoon and found a Variegated Fritillary, a Common Buckeye, a pair of American Ladys, and a few Duskywings fluttering about with Orange Sulphurs, Clouded Sulphurs, Cabbage Whites, and hundreds of Monarchs.  The fields are just beautiful right now with so many wildflowers in bloom.

Walter

[Howieh]

Hi Bluffs Birder,

I hit the spit again Sunday PM; most of the monarchs were gone but the sulphurs were everywhere and I also spotted a couple of really fresh red admirals. Where were the buckeye and the fritillary? I'd really like to shoot something other than monarchs and sulphurs before the cold weather sets in - of course that means the owls will be back so all is not lost!

[Bluffs Birder]

Hi Howieh,

Scarborough Bluffs Park is located behind the St. Augustine's Seminary, Cardinal Newman Catholic School, and Scarborough Missions 'complex' which is on the South-west corner of Brimley Road and Kingston Road.  The park is not vehicle friendly (no parking) and has unmarked entrances at the end of Undercliff Drive, the end of Chine Drive, and also across the street from Barkdene Hill on Brimley Road South.  I suggest using a good map or better still Google Earth to locate the park and possibly a good side-street to park your vehicle.  The walking trails are clearly visible using Google Earth.  Good luck if you go.

Walter