Migration Update: September 28, 2007
Please Report
Your Sightings! >>

Today's Report Includes:

How much farther must this monarch 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 >>

 

Highlights: Have South Winds Stalled the Migration?

The wind blew from the south for almost 10 days in Texas, Oklahoma and much of the surrounding region. That's where the continent's monarchs are headed, and progress into the region seemed stalled. But when this week's cold front finally passed, monarchs cruised into Oklahoma and the Texas "panhandle" on the very same day:

9/25/07 Kingfisher, OK (35.91 N, -98.02 W)
First wave of Monarchs waltzing across Kingfisher, Oklahoma today. About 4:45 p.m. I counted about 65 Monarchs in 1 minute, high in the sky, heading SW, definitely on a mission. When the front came through. Woo! Hoo! Come on Monarchs! Be ready, Texas!

9/25/07 Ponca City, OK (36.67 N, -97.05 W)
From 2-4:30 PM, I counted 208 monarchs! They were heading south at a height ranging from 8-35 feet. They were riding the northerly breeze brought by the passing of a cold front which dropped temps by over 15 degrees during the day.

9/25/07 Canadian, TX (35.84 N, -100.27 W)
Over the past couple of weeks I have sighted just a smattering of Monarch. But the wind turned strongly out of the north here on Monday night and on Tuesday I spent the whole day wandering about the ranch and saw literally hundreds of Monarchs, all traveling with a purpose on that strong northerly breeze.

Here's an animated map of fall migration roosts. How do you think the map will look next week?

Here Comes the Cold Front!
September 25 was a great day for traveling. Watch how the wind shifts after the 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 compare them.

Who will see the record flight for fall 2007?

Slideshow: How High Do Monarchs Fly? >>

People have seen monarchs flying over school yards and high above the trees. People have seen monarchs gliding past apartment windows and soaring "as high as the eye can see."

How high do monarchs fly? Let's find out what scientists know — and don't know— about the height of monarch flight.

How High Do Monarchs Fly? >>

Challenge Question #5

This week's question:

  • How does Mrs. DeLand know the monarch is a male? (See picture.)

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 #4 >>

Links: This Week's Monarch Resources
  • Experiment: How High Can You See a Monarch? >>
  • Experiment: Monarch Migration Eye Test >>
  • Experiment: Dr. Brower's Flight Height Experiment >>
  • Math: How High Do Monarchs Fly? Let's Compare >>
  • Migration Rate Math: Who will see the strongest migration this fall? >>
  • Activity: How much farther must this monarch fly? >>
  • Monarchs for Kids (booklets, photos, videos) >>
  • Book and Slideshow: The Magic of Monarch Migration >>
  • Orientation: Welcome to new participants! >>
  • Go Outside! Watch how monarch butterfly habitat is changing!>>
More Monarch Lessons and Teaching Ideas!

The Next Monarch Migration Update Will Be Posted on October 5, 2007.