They're Definitely Moving Toward Mexico!
Look at the migration map and you will plainly see, the monarchs are moving toward their winter home in Mexico. They're entering Nebraska and Kansas right now in large numbers, and people in Iowa are reporting peak conditions.

"Until you see so many monarchs in one small area you have no idea of the magnitude of their migration," said a woman in Stuart, Iowa, on Tuesday when a roost appeared in her backyard.

"Migration is in full swing in eastern Nebraska," noted 3rd grade teacher Ms. Leishman in Fort Calhoun, Nebraska, on Monday. "Last night at sunset we watched at least 50-60 monarchs begin to roost in the trees at our farm. During the school day the children watched 20+ monarchs travel through the playground area."

The number of migration sightings is increasing now in the east, and people are starting to see more butterflies. From the 28th floor of his New York building a man saw monarchs flying by the window today at the rate of about one per minute!

How Does This Fall Compare?
We have still not received a single report of a roost in Canada or the eastern United States. This could indicate that the migratory population is smaller than past years. This chart compares the total number of roosts reported as of September 11 each year:

We need to know two things when you report your monarch sightings:

1. The number of monarchs you see and
2. The number of minutes (or hours) you were watching.

Why is this important? Because when people report data in a uniform way we can make accurate comparisons and see where the migration is strongest. We measure the pace of migration in monarchs per minute (or monarchs per hour). This measurement is called the migration rate.

Try it! Who Saw the Strongest Migration?

• Explore this week's sightings!
• Practice Migration Rate activities

Please Report Your Sightings!
Watch for monarchs that are flying in "directional flight," resting at overnight roosts, or refueling at flowers in fields, gardens, or roadsides.

• How to Watch Fall Monarch Migration

• Slideshow: When, Where and How to Watch Migration
• Lesson and Activities: Where is the Migration Strongest? Compare Migration Rates to Find Out!
• Symbolic Migration: You're Invited to Send a Symbolic Monarch to Mexico!
• Collecting Data: How to Monitor Fall Migration
• Observing Fall Habitat: How is Monarch Butterfly Habitat Changing?
• Journey North for Kids: Monarch Butterfly Resources for Children
• More: Monarch fall lessons and teaching ideas

Monarch Butterfly Migration Updates Will be Posted on THURSDAYS: Aug. 28, Sep. 4, 11, 18, 25, Oct. 2, 9, 16, 23, 30, Nov. 6...or until the monarchs reach Mexico!

The Next Monarch Migration Update Will Be Posted on September 18, 2008.

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