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Monarch Migration Update: October 6, 1999

Today's Report Includes:

First Strong Surge of Migration in Texas
The monarch migration has definitely arrived in Texas! A strong cold front moved into the state last Wednesday, September 29, and observers began to report good numbers of monarchs the very next day. Today's data show the flurry of sightings, and here are comments from people on the ground:

Texas: October 5
"I was in my office building when I noticed what looked like a leaf float by. Then 4 more. I realized they were butterflies..and upon closer inspection, saw they were Monarchs. I was enchanted. I stood and watched from our 39th floor window as tens of butterflies floated upon the wind currents flowing around our building. They just continued to appear the longer I watched. The Monarchs have arrived in Dallas." Michael Drankoski, Dallas, TX (mdrankoski@akingump.com)

Texas: October 1
"The full monarch migration has arrived in north-east Texas. A cold front moved in on Wednesday night and Thursday AM. We had full sun and a light northerly breeze. About 150-200 monarch butterflies have been in the trees around our property for the last 3 days. I played golf at 9:00 AM and the course was covered with hundreds of monarchs. It was a breath-taking sight! I almost hated to approach the greens because they were puddleing on the dew that had fallen." Linda Smith, Campbell, TX (llsmith@koyote.com)

Texas: October 1
"We saw almost 50 monarchs during the day, which is a large number for east Texas! All monarchs, without exception, were flying due west. Since we're in a forest, one of the best place to watch for monarchs is at the reservoir, where they come in low (2-3') over the water, usually in small groups of 2 or 3." Jim Isleib, Brookeland Elementary/West Sabine Elementary in Broaddus, TX (jisleib@sfasu.edu)

Texas: September 30
"Between 10:00-11:00 am today, I counted 63 Monarchs. The weather was cool-67, clear and sunny. The first sighting was at a water sprinkler showerbath. The largest grouping was hovering above a pumpkin sale outside the mall. How great to notice this migration for the first time when the children at my school are finishing their symbolic paper butterflies. Both will be heading toward Mexico at the same time!" Susan Will at Richard J. Wilson school in Fort Worth, TX, (hallbigg@flash.net)

Texas: October 4
"We saw two monarchs flying in a field beside our school. We were so excited! We hope to see many more soon!" Megan Fettig at Hutto Elementary in Hutto, TX (fettigm@hutto.txed.net)

Texas: September 30
"About 10:00 in the morning at recess at school I saw 3 monarch butterflies. The temperature was 60 degrees and a little windy. It was so coooool!!" Makenzie Moore at St. Gregory Catholic School in Tyler, TX (stg2@earthlink.net)

Texas: October 1
"On Friday, October 1, in our Outdoor Science Center, we saw 3 Monarch butterflies-conditions-high 80's,slight breeze, 12:45pm. Boy were we excited, we had just put up our tracking map and display in the center of our school." Kara Casteel at Plum Creek Elementary in Lockhart, TX (pkbraley@swbell.net)

Texas: October 5
"Sterling City, TX residents reported sighting approx 50 Monarchs to our local Girl Scout "Monarch Hot Line". The report was confirmed & documented by our Jr group. The Monarchs arrived from a NW direction between 5&6 PM, temp 82 degrees & little to no wind. The Monarchs sought cover for the evening under a thick cover of pecan trees in the 600 block of Colorado St. They were so amazing! Scouts are on alert for more sightings & thrilled to be part of this program!" Girl Scouts of Sterling City, TX (steviewonder-1@worldnet.att.net)

Texas: September 30
"From 2:20-2:30 pm 6 monarchs were sighted by fifth grade students. The butterflies were flying north and some of them were flying west. They were above our heads about 10-20 feet up. The weather was sunny and about 87 degrees and light winds." Mrs. Hines Fifth grade class, Richland Elementary in Richland Hills, TX (shines@tenet.edu)

Texas: September 30
"32 monarchs sighted in the urban woods in the midafternoon by a group of 3rd graders studying soil composition." Richardson ISD Environmental Studies Center in Richardson, TX (dianne.wooldridge@richardson.k12.tx.us)

NOW When Do You Predict They'll Reach the Sanctuaries?
According to our Texas observers, the leading edge of the migration has now reached latitude 30N.

Challenge Question #9
"Since the monarch sanctuary region is at 19N, 101 W, how many more miles do the monarchs have to travel? NOW when do you predict the leading edge will reach Angangueo?"

For help see lesson: "Latitude, Longitude and Distance Traveled"

(To respond to this question, please follow the instructions below.)

Do Adult Monarchs Feed Only on Nectar?
The Austin Area Homeschoolers wrote to say they're eagerly awaiting the main migration, but they have a concern:

"We are in the middle of a drought and there are very few wildflowers. We recently read that monarchs increase their body weight by some 60% while moving through Texas and that this weight gain is important to their winter survival in Mexico. We are concerned that the drought will affect their ability to gain weight and ultimately their mortality rates. Are there alternative fuel sources besides flower nectar we are not aware of? Will they possibly move more quickly through Central Texas in search of greener pastures?"
Austin Area Homeschoolers (Debgrdn@aol.com )

Challenge Question #10
"Do monarchs have food sources other than nectar? Describe how you think drought would affect monarchs and their migration."

(To respond to this question, please follow the instructions below.)

Monarchs Still Pouring Down the East Coast
Dr. Lincoln Brower received exciting news from the Monarch Migration Project at Cape May, NJ (39N, -75 W). According to Coordinator Louise Zemaitis, Saturday, October 2 was the biggest day yet. "Our current estimate is that at least 250,000 Monarchs moved through Cape May Point." During one 1 hour census, 1,600 monarchs were seen! You can't rush off to Cape May to witness this, but you can visit the Monarch Migration Project website any time.

Pull out a map and find Cape May, NJ (39N, -75 W).. Look carefully at the surrounding geography, then see if you can answer this question:

Challenge Question #11
"Why do you think so many monarchs are seen every year at Cape May, NJ? How do you think geography affects migration in this area?"

(To respond to this question, please follow the instructions below.)


Watch out Texans, because more monarchs are on their way! Migrating monarchs are still being reported from states to the north and east of Texas. Here are comments from observers:

Maryland: October 2
"I was sitting in the upper deck of Camden Yards Baseball Stadium in Baltimore and noticed a monarch fly in a northwesterly direction at about our eye level (approximately 80 ft from the ground). Of course I now had my eyes skyward instead of on the game but I was rewarded because I observed 33 monarchs float across the baseball field one at a time." Frances Koontz at Rockledge Elementary School in Bowie, MD (fkoontz@ccconline.net)

North Carolina: October 3
"Sitting outside on Sunday morning, October 3, 1999, from 9:30 am to 10:15 am, we observed approximately 50 Monarch butterflies flying south. They were in small clusters of 3-4 butterflies each, but the migration was continuous during the 45 minutes that we were out there. The temperature was approximately 70 degrees and it was clear weather with little or no breeze." Maude Root, Charlotte, NC (mntroot@aol.com)

North Carolina: October 3
"I have never seen so many monarchs in this area of the state. Monarchs have been coming through since early September, but this must be one of the peak times. This weekend I caught and tagged (through Monarch Watch) 23 monarchs! There were times that there were 4-7 butterflies on my buddleia bushes. If I had not been doing the usual weekend routine (soccer games, house cleaning etc.) I probably could have caught more." Liz Baird, NC Museum of Natural Sciences, Raleigh, NC (btapir@aol.com)

Alabama: October 1
"We are finally beginning to see more Monarchs. Mrs. Allen saw a very nice large Monarch at a bank in Anniston yesterday. Laken and the girls at cheerleader practice saw one yesterday. Tatiana saw four at the country club. The third grade classes saw a beautiful one on the playground.Elizabeth saw a dead Monarch on outside the gym yesterday. We will continue to watch for them." Allison Garrett, Donoho School in Anniston, AL (mustanggar@aol.com)

Arkansas: October 2
"While I was with my uncle in Glenwood, Arkansas, on Saturday afternoon, October 2, I saw about 70 Monarch butterflies flying past in less than 2 hours!! They were about 20 feet off the ground, heading west, between 10 a.m. and noon. It was a nice sunny day, about 85 degrees and slightly breezy. They were beautiful--an awesome sight!!!" Evelyn Fogle, 5th grader at Caddo Hills Elementary reporting about Glenwood, AR (ALLEM@cadhs.dsc.k12.ar.us)

Oklahoma: October 1
"One of our students saw approximately 100 Monarchs 10 miles west of Hulbert flying south. It was a sunny day with a light breeze. Other students have sighted a Monarch or two fluttering around." Rachel Smith at Shady Grove School in Hulbert, OK (danielss@shadygrove.k12.ok.us)

Colorado: September 30
"My friend and I were playing basket ball and a Monarch flew right in front of my face that was the closest encounter I have with a butterfly ever in my life. They are really beautiful." Observation made by Connor at Plumfield Cottage School in Denver, CO (lorilamp@aol.com)

Colorado: September 30
"I FINALLY SAW MY FIRST MONARCH THIS SEASON!!! I was so excited. She was sitting on some purple asters." Kathleen de Russy at St. Anne's Episcopal School in Denver, CO (der1213@hotmail.com)

FINAL REMINDER: Symbolic Migration Deadline This Friday!
All migrating symbolic monarchs must be on their way no later than October 8th. Don't forget this postmark deadline. For more information see: Send a Monarch to Mexico

How to Respond to Today's Monarch Challenge Questions

IMPORTANT: Please answer ONLY ONE question in each e-mail message!

1. Address an e-mail message to: jn-challenge-monarch@learner.org
2. In the Subject Line of your message write: Challenge Question #9 (or #10 or #11).
3. In the body of EACH message, answer ONE of the questions above.

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