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Explore This Week's Observations: Week Ending Sep. 3, 2009

People and Monarchs Sharing Resources
How can humans and monarchs meet their basic survival needs with limited resources to share? Read the first-hand monarch observations below and think about these questions:

  • What new information did you learn about monarchs and their migration needs?
  • How could people use this information to invent creative conservation solutions?


For Your Journal:
Read this week's monarch sightings and record your thoughts.
Observations from Citizen Scientists

8/26/09: Goderich, ON (44N, -82W)
Monarch's roosting once again this year in a park overlooking Lake Huron in Goderich, Ontario. Not as many as in previous years—perhaps 1,000 butterflies tonight—but it's good to see them back.

Photo: M. Edgerton

8/26/09: Goderich, ON (44N, -82W)
We have a few acres of alfalfa to the north that the Monarchs are flying around. Last night I was mowing and the Monarchs started to swarm all above me - quite the sight. I then went out when it was just light enough to make them out and they all were hanging in the trees - calm as could be. Nightfall comes and they hang in the trees as if they are hiding.

8/30/09: San Angelo, TX (32N, -101W)
I noticed several monarchs any time I was outside. I was in and out all day from 7:00 am until sunset. They are coming to water sprinklers and resting in the trees in the yard.

9/2/09: Suches, GA (35N, -84W)
On Monday Johnah saw a monarch flying by our butterfly garden. Rebecca saw 2 monarchs resting on a wildflower. Kianna saw a monarch in her yard.

9/1/09: Prairie City, IA (42N, -94W)
The monarch butterfly migration is under way across central Iowa. In two hours and 40 minutes, we counted 251 monarchs at Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge near Prairie City, Iowa. They primarily were nectaring on tickseed sunflowers, the favorite wildflower for the monarchs at this time of the year.

Can you find others?
Look for more signs that fall migration is underway!