Monarch arrivals pick up through Midwest, Mid-Atlantic

Spring monarch sightings have begun to dot the map in the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic in recent weeks, though many more northern locations are still waiting for their first arrivals.

A close-up side view of a monarch butterfly — This butterfly, a first of the year for Toni in Falls Church, Virginia, was spotted on the first of May.

Spring monarch sightings have begun to dot the map in the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic in recent weeks, though many more northern locations like are still waiting for their first arrivals.

Please continue to report your sightings to Journey North, and don’t forget about photos! Some researchers rely on these photos to accept reports, so your photos can make a huge difference. Click here to report your monarch and milkweed sightings.

Eastern monarch population

Journey North volunteers have begun to report monarchs laying eggs in some areas, while sightings have reached as far north as Ontario over the first week of May.

Western monarch population

As Gail Morris writes, "Late-season rains swept through parts of California and the Pacific Northwest last week, while mountain snows blanketed the region accompanied by cooler-than-normal temperatures. Then, with whiplash speed, the weather is forecast to swing to above-normal temperatures with pockets of high winds in the upcoming days. The monarchs’ progress has been limited to California and Arizona, with recent reports of sightings in St. George, Utah, (without photo documentation). Will the blustery winds boost their flight to, Nevada, Utah or Oregon on their spring migration?"