Monarch Butterflies

Migration Update: October 2, 2008

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This is the week to wish you were in Oklahoma! Linda Schemmer of Kingfisher, OK, saw it coming. After a week of light, southerly winds she predicted a big flight of monarchs would arrive with the next cold front.

And look what happened! The map of peak sightings shows the leading edge of the migration advanced perhaps as many as 300 miles, from southern Kansas into northern Texas: Here are a few of the comments:

  • Sept. 29: Stillwater, Oklahoma (36 N, -97 W)
    Helena and her Daddy saw monarchs migrating south while at a soccer field on the north edge of Stillwater. At 6 pm, we saw approximately 30 per minute...
  • Sept. 30: Kingfisher, Oklahoma (36 N, -98 W)
    They're coming through!!! From 10:00- 10:20 a.m., I counted 1-4 Monarchs, mostly singles, every 5 seconds...
  • Sept. 30: Marietta, Oklahoma (34 N,-97 W)
    "THEY'RE HERE!!! Woohoo!...From about 6:50 until about 7:10, the party was on! The monarchs were coming through at the rate of about 25 per minute from 6:50 to 7:00 p.m. and then at about 50 per minute until 7:10 or so.
  • Oct. 1: Carrolton, Texas (33 N, -97 W)
    From 10:15AM to 10:45AM we saw 299 Monarch butterflies pass over our house

Explore this week's sightings!
What does it look like when monarchs come down to rest in the evening? Read this first-hand account and look for details. Notice the many numbers the observer included in her notes. What do you know because she quantified (measured or counted) her observations?

 

Coming With the Cold Front!
Watch the cold front move across Oklahoma and into Texas. A clear wave of monarchs moved with it.

 

For Your Journal
Explore this week's sightings!

What does it look like when monarchs come down to rest in the evening? Read this first-hand account and look for details!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
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.

Focus: Wind, Weather and Migration

Monarchs could not make it to Mexico without help from the wind. Monarchs probably ride the layer of uplifted air associated with the advancing edge of cold fronts, says monarch scientist Dr. Bill Calvert. "It's like catching a bus going your way. In this case the ride is even free!"

Monarchs would burn too much energy if they had to flap their wings all the way to central Mexico. They save energy by soaring and gliding. In fact, research by Dr. David Gibo found that monarchs burn the same amount of energy (140 mg) in only 44 hours of flapping flight as they burn in over 1,000 hours of soaring/gliding fight.

The Migration: Maps, Data and Questions

Monarch
Fall Roosts
 (map/sightings)

Monarch
PEAK Migration
(map/sightings)

ALL Monarch
Migration Sightings
(map/sightings)

Distribution Map >>

About these maps >>

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Make your own map >>

This Week's Map Questions >>
Habitat Projects: Tell About Yours! Read About Others!

Join people across North America who are helping wildlife by creating backyard habitat.

  • In Kentucky: Mrs. Moran's 3-5 grade science classes in Kentucky are working on a habitat project to restore milkweed host plants for monarchs and other nectar plants.
  • In Nova Scotia: The community is working together to make a difference! Students were involved in all aspects: research, canvassing local businesses for supplies, digging, planting, etc. It has been a great learning experience for us all.
  • In Minnesota: Cedar Park Elementary planted native plant communities in their gardens are healthy habitats for our Minnesota wildlife. The students, birds and monarchs are enjoying the comfortable fall temperatures and wildflowers.
  • Read about the habitat projects other people are creating and tell about yours!

Tell about your habitat projects and read about others!

 
Related Journey North Lessons and Links

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 October 9, 2008.

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