The flutter of orange wings flies by you, giving you a quick pause, but it seems too early. Could it be a monarch?

For some nature lovers across the United States this spring, the answer has been, “Yes," as several states have had their first monarch sightings far in advance of previous years. 

Gary in Pennsburg, Pennsylvania, reported a monarch on April 23, writing that the arrival was “very early here.”

After a time of few monarch sightings, a new generation of monarchs is beginning to appear and continue its spring migration. California is reporting monarchs mainly in coastal regions but also further north in Santa Cruz and Marin counties. In Arizona, a surprising number of monarchs are appearing in the lower deserts, delighting homeowners in desert areas. Meanwhile, in the higher elevations of Arizona, a late-season snow blanketed the highlands on Easter weekend. Luckily, monarchs are safely remaining in the south.