"Timed-watch from the front of the house with eyes to the north. Counted 56 monarchs in 30 minutes from 3:00 to 3:30." Eagle Pass, Texas

Across the border in Cuatrociénegas, Coahuila, Mexico's first roost of the season was reported on Friday, courtesy of the migration tracking project, Correo Real:

"Hoy por la tarde observé cerca de 30 mariposas perchadas en un árbol, en el jardín de mi escuela." Cuatrociénegas, Coahuila

Texas Peak and Pathway
Over the past 16 days, peak migration has moved 400 miles across Texas in discreet pulses associated with weather systems. Monarchs traveled quickly with north winds — or on sunny, calm days — and were stalled by south winds or rain.

"Although the 'peak' of the migration was last Saturday—when there were thousands flying overhead—I'm still seeing many monarchs daily. There are 250-300 in my yard today."
Glenn Heights, Texas October 17, 2014

The migration map shows a distinct pathway across Texas, from northeast to soutwest. Pay attention to longitude line 100° West, directly above the overwintering sites in Mexico. Monarchs have flown across the eastern half of the continent toward this longitude, and now they will drop southward into Mexico.

Roost Count
More roosts and larger concentrations are raising hopes for a population rebound from the record lows of the past 2 years. Scientists will measure the population in December; results are typically available in March.