Migration Update: September 10, 2009
Please Report
Your Sightings!

This Week's News:

 

Photo of the Week

What can you learn from a single sighting?

The Migration: Maps and Questions

Monarch
Fall Roosts

(map/sightings/animation)

Monarch
PEAK Migration

(map/sightings)

ALL Monarch
Migration Sightings

(map/sightings)

Distribution Map

Learn About Migration Maps

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Make Your Own Migration Map


For Your Journal
This Week's Map Questions

Latest News

They're Moving Toward Mexico!
Look at the animated migration map and you will plainly see, the monarchs are moving toward their winter home in Mexico.

This week's southernmost roost was reported in Kansas on Monday. Pam Carnes discovered the monarchs while riding horseback: "The monarchs floated all around us and a couple of them even landed on my horse's mane. It was awesome!!!!" she exclaimed. At latitude 38N, these monarchs have only 1,350 more miles to fly to the finish line.

What Do Sightings in the Great Lakes Reveal?
Take a close-up look at the Great Lakes region on the migration map this week. What does the map reveal? What questions does it raise about monarch migration in relation to the Great Lakes? The pattern you see on the map is the same year after year. What might be causing this pattern? Look for facts and details throughout this week's update and form your own hypothesis. (See the links at the end of this update for more information.)

Citizen Scientist Journal: Observations Lead to Questions!
Read the first-hand monarch observations people reported during the past week at the link below. As you read, think about these questions:

  • What observations did each person make?
  • What questions did their observations raise?
  • Which of the observers formed a hypothesis to try to explain their observation?

Think: Observation > Question > Hypothesis

 

 

On the Shore of Lake Huron
Almost 1,000 monarchs rested last week on the edge of Lake Huron in Ontario.

 

For Your Journal

Slideshow: Why Do Monarchs Form Roosts During Fall Migration?

"Roost formation during the fall migration needs to be documented and published. It is really amazing how little we know," says monarch biologist Dr. Lincoln Brower. "People can contribute important observations by going with an open mind and documenting what they see."

As you read this slideshow, look for observations, questions and hypotheses about the roosts monarchs form during fall migration. There is so much to left to learn!

Links: Monarch Resources to Explore

Monarch Butterfly Migration Updates Will be Posted on THURSDAYS: Aug. 27, Sep. 3, 10, 17, 24, Oct. 1, 8, 15, 22, 29, Nov. 5...or until the monarchs reach Mexico!

The Next Monarch Migration Update Will Be Posted on September 17, 2009.