By Robert D. Woodward

Tuesday, September 1--The weather began cooling down over the weekend, and a few migrating monarchs could be seen in our butterfly garden. Several monarchs were seen clinging to the branches of an oak tree late in the day on Sunday, Aug. 30--seeming to reflect a pattern that we have observed year after year from migrating monarchs.

Monday, September 7--The air was hot and humid in central Iowa on Saturday and Sunday, and a few monarchs could be seen each day in our butterfly garden and along the highways. But early Monday morning, a cold front moved in from the north, driving down the temperatures and bringing a number of migrating monarchs into the area. In the afternoon, numerous monarchs could be seen flying around in the back part of our butterfly garden--for the most part seeking to stay out of a brisk wind that was blowing from the north. By nightfall, 10 to 15 monarchs were landing on the oaks, apple trees and hackberries in preparation for roosting there overnight.

Tuesday, September 8--The morning air was cool, and by 6 a.m., the temperature stood at 55 degrees--with a low of about 50 predicted for the evening. The day seemed like a perfect one for migrating monarchs, but they apparently were not observed in large numbers in central Iowa. In our butterfly garden, some five to 10 monarchs could seen at the end of the day. At one point, three of them put on a show as they chased each other over the flowers and among the apple trees. Friends in Des Moines told of seeing monarchs in ones and twos moving to the south.

Friday, September 11--The activity in our butterfly garden on Friday was similar to the day before--with five to 10 monarchs flying around the garden late in the afternoon.

Saturday, September 12--During a count of one hour and one-half northeast of Des Moines, 35 migrating monarchs were observed on a warm and breezy Saturday. The monarchs were counted using binoculars at Chichaqua wildlife area in Polk County. Back in the butterfly garden in Altoona, Iowa, five monarchs were observed there in the late afternoon.

Sunday, September 13--In one hour of counting on this Sunday, 25 monarchs were spotted migrating over Chichaqua wildlife area in Polk County. Five to 10 monarchs also were moving in and out of our butterfly garden in Altoona.

Monday, September 14--The late afternoon sky provided a spectacle of nature as a cold front was passing through central Iowa. In an hour's observation from our butterfly garden, 79 monarchs were observed speeding overhead at heights ranging at an estimated 100 to 1,000 yards in the air. They were riding quickly on a brisk wind, sometimes turning to the side to float with the breeze and at other times flying quickly to the south. Observations were both with the naked eye and binoculars and were conducted from 4:50 p.m to 5:50 p.m. CDT. The shadows of the monarchs against a constantly changing cloudy sky were a beauty to behold. The total of 79 monarchs in an hour's viewing was the largest number seen to date in central Iowa.

Tuesday, September 15--Monarch activity was highly visible along the roadways and in our butterfly garden.

Wednesday, September 16--The late afternoon sky was the scene of another monarch air show. In a half-hour of monitoring, 57 monarchs were spotted from our butterfly garden. The clouds were moving quickly, and a light rain began to fall. Interestingly enough, the monarchs were flying to the west, appearing to try to keep ahead of the incoming rain. The 57 monarchs--most of them flying at heights estimated from 100 to 1,000 yards above--were observed between 5:05 p.m. and 5:35 p.m. CDT with both the naked eye and binoculars.

Thursday, September 17--Monarch migration activity definitely was increasing over central Iowa. In our butterfly garden at the end of the day, 25 or more monarchs were seen feeding on the purple New England asters and roosting on the oak tree branches. They were moving in and out of the garden, but most stayed overnight. On WOI-TV, the ABC affiliate in Des Moines, the station ran a marvelous piece about a woman in Churdan, Iowa, who has a two-acre plot of asters, other flowers and wild grasses. The video showed what appeared to be hundreds of monarchs in that area.

Friday, September 18--A year ago this Friday, the day turned out to be the highlight of the fall 1997 monarch migration season in central Iowa. On this Friday in 1998, however, the monarch activity was limited.

Saturday, September 19-- Approximately 20 monarchs were observed during the day. There was considerable monarch activity in our butterfly garden, and monarchs were spotted along the roadways of central Iowa.

Sunday, September 20--Only one monarch was spotted during an hour's visit to Chichaqua wildlife area in central Iowa. Five monarchs were in and out of the butterfly garden on Sunday.

Wednesday, September 23--The weather cooled down considerably in the last few days, with low temperatures in the low 40s overnight. Three monarchs were in our butterfly garden at the end of the day.

Saturday, September 26--Five or six monarchs were spending time in our butterfly garden during the afternoon.

Sunday, September 27--Once again, five monarchs were flying around the butterfly garden and feeding on the purple asters.

Wednesday, September 30--Observed a single monarch today, after having seen a few each day for the past few days. The end of the migration appears to be upon us as much colder weather is developing.

Friday, October 2--The weather in central Iowa was cold and rainy, and not a single monarch was spotted during the day. More cooler weather and rain was in the forecast for the weekend.