Migration Update: September 7, 2007
Please Report
Your Sightings! >>

Today's Report Includes:

How much farther must these monarchs fly? >>

The Migration: Maps, Questions and Highlights

Peak
(Map|List)

Roosts
(Map|List)
All
(Map|List)

Distribution Map >>

About these maps >>

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Make your own map >>

Map Questions >>

Highlights: A Great Show for the Great Lakes
The north wind blows after a cold front passes, and the strong August 29th system set monarchs sailing in the Great Lakes region. Take a close look at Lake Erie on the migration maps this week. Not a monarch or a roost had been reported on Erie's south shore before the front passed. Then suddenly this:

8/30/07 Willoughby, OH (41 N, -81 W)
"At 7:30pm I started spotting six or seven monarchs per minute in my backyard, and for the next 30 minutes an increasing number showed up -- thousands landing on branches of trees in my yard and throughout my neighborhood!"

8/31/07 Cleveland, OH (41 N, -81 W)
"This morning my daughter and I saw over 50 monarchs hanging in our maple tree at 6:30am just as the sun was rising."

8/31/07 Lakewood, OH (41 N, -81 W)
"We are in Lakewood, Oh. South shore of Lake Erie. Hundreds of Monarchs have begun roosting in the trees in our backyard. Really COOL!!!!!"

9/1/07 Cleveland, OH (41 N, -81 W)
"Hi, I live in Cleveland, Ohio on the shores of Lake Erie. We have many huge oak trees in our front yard. Within the last couple of days, September 1st-2nd 2007 , there were HUNDREDS if not thousands of Monarchs in our oak trees hanging onto the leaves and flying all around the yard. It was a wonderful sight to behold."

9/2/07 Vermillion, OH(41 N, -82 W)
"We are right on the shore of Lake Erie and we assume they are resting after crossing the lake."

Monarchs seem to avoid crossing large bodies of water. Notice how many roosts and sightings are along the Great Lakes' shores. But did these monarchs make a long over-water crossing this time? Look at the maps and see what you think!



August 29th
The north wind blows after a cold front passes.
 

Migration Rate Math

As the monarchs funnel toward Mexico, the numbers overhead become greater and greater.

Each week we collect sightings so you can keep track and compare them.

Who will see the record flight for fall 2007?

Let's see!

Slideshow: Why Do Monarchs Form Roosts? >>

Monarch butterflies migrate alone. They do not travel in flocks the way many birds do. So why do they come together at night and gather in roosts? And how do they find one another?

Monarch biologists share what they know — and don't know — about this interesting monarch behavior. They say citizen scientists can help solve some of the mysteries.

Slideshow >>

Challenge Question #2: When will they get there?

This week's question:

  • Based on the progress so far, when do you predict the first monarchs will reach their winter home in Mexico?

To respond: Write in your journal and send us your answer for possible inclusion in next week's update.

Answer to last week's question

Challenge Question #1 >>

Links: This Week's Monarch Resources
  • Orientation: Welcome to new participants! >>
  • Go Outside! How is monarch butterfly habitat changing? >>
  • Migration Math: How Much Farther? >>
  • Migration Rate Math: Who will see the strongest migration this fall? >>
  • Monarchs for Kids (booklets, photos, videos) >>
  • Book and Slideshow: The Magic of Monarch Migration >>
More Monarch Lessons and Teaching Ideas!

The Next Monarch Migration Update Will Be Posted on September 14, 2007.