Monarch Butterfly Migration Update: October 1, 2004
Highlights From the Migration Trail The monarchs continued to push southward through the Midwest this week, with some impressive reports from Kansas, Nebraska and Oklahoma. Meanwhile, the migration has been remarkably unremarkable in the East. There, sightings of single monarchs seem to be the rule. Here are a few noteworthy comments from observers, along with some photos of monarchs on their way to Mexico! 09/29/04
Enid, OK
Interactive
Maps: Read All Reports on the "MapServer"
All monarch sightings that have been reported are displayed on our MapServer. You can “click” to read each observer’s comments.
New Jersey Study Shows Slowest Migration in 14 Years For the 14th year, monarchs are being counted every single day as they migrate through Cape May, New Jersey. This year, after four weeks, the average number of monarchs seen per hour of observation is only 7.41 butterflies. Here are the data that have been collected since 1992 as of Week #4 each year: Try This!
How’s the Weather Today in Mexico? As you know, winter is on its way and the monarchs are moving southward to escape it. How do you picture the weather in the monarch’s winter home? Before reading further, describe the weather in your science journal as you imagine it. How warm do you think it gets during the day? How cool do you think temperatures are at night? Give the reasoning behind your predictions. Next, read today’s weather report for Angangueo. (Angangueo is a small town seated at the base of the mountains of the two largest monarch sanctuaries.) Then answer Challenge Question #8:
Challenge
Question #8
"What are the high and low temperatures predicted for Angangueo today? How are the temperatures different than those you predicted?" (To respond to this question, please follow the instructions below.)
"A very wet and cold second report from Angangueo," begins María Estela Romero. "Yes, all coming to Angangueo at this time of the year shall be totally wet and very cold. We are having the hardest rains we have had during the last four months. No news about any Monarch seen in the sky." "Un muy frío y mojado mensaje desde Angangueo. Efectivamente, todo lo que en este momento vaya desde aquí será totalmente mojado y frío. El pasado 23 y 25 de Septiembre, tuvimos las dos más intensas lluvias que hubiéramos tenido durante los cuatro últimos meses y las mas intensas que hubieramos visto en los últimos años. No hay ninguna noticia en cuanto a ninguna Monarca sobrevolando el cielo." How Many Times Can YOU Flap? Discussion of Challenge Question #6 After looking at the energy costs of flapping flight we asked, "If a monarch flaps its wings 5 to 12 times per second, how many times per minute does it flap? How many times can you flap your arms in a minute?" Careful monarch math reveals that monarchs can flap their wings between 300 and 720 times per minute. WOW!
Reminder:
Symbolic Migration Deadline Oct 15
Only 14 more butterfly-making days before the Symbolic Migration deadline. Don't be late! Butterflies received after the postmarked deadline cannot migrate. How
to Respond to Today's Challenge Question
1. Address an e-mail message to: jn-challenge-monarch@learner.org 2. In the Subject Line of the message write: Challenge Question #8 3. In the body of the message, answer the question above. The Next Monarch Migration Update Will Be Posted on October 8, 2004. Copyright
2004 Journey North. All Rights Reserved. Please send all questions, comments,
and suggestions to jn-help@learner.org
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