How Do Hurricanes Affect Monarchs?

Over the years — from Hurricane Floyd in 1999 to Hurricane Harvey in 2017 — people have contributed examples of how extreme storms can affect monarchs during their fall migration.

By Estela Romero, Journey North correspondent in Mexico

Soon the real Monarchs will be preparing to leave their northern home and migrate to central México to spend the winter with us! We are so excited to receive the beautiful Symbolic Monarchs you are preparing to make and send.

Please keep in mind a couple of important things as you make and send your paper butterflies:

Keep track of the nectar hummingbirds are consuming at your feeders this summer. You might be surprised to learn not only how much they consume, but also how their life cycle is related to eating patterns throughout the season.

Keep Track Each Time You Fill
Use a chart to keep track each time you fill your feeders. Record the date and the amount. 

Before migration, hummingbirds feed intensely. Scientists call the pre-migration feeding frenzy hyperphagia. The tiny birds spend more time than usual lapping up nectar and eating insects.  For birds about to migrate, food means survival.