Monarch Migration News: October 15, 2015
By Elizabeth Howard
Please Report
Your Sightings!
Report Your Sightings

Butterflies are crossing the border and streaming into northern Mexico after another peak week in Texas.

Monarch Butterfly
"My pecan tree was full of 900+ roosting Monarchs. They stayed for two days and then moved on."
Patricia Hamilton, Jayton, TX

 
News: Crossing into Mexico
The most dramatic day of the migration season began on October 13th as a cold front (frente frio no.6) moved across Texas and into Mexico. Reports of peak migration began at 7 a.m. and continued throughout the day.

Butterflies were streaming overhead at estimated rates of 6,000 - 10,000 monarchs per hour. Patti Berkstresser describes the spectacle she witnessed.

"Thousands migrating over Leakey, Texas, starting at about 7:30 this morning. Counted over 100 per minute for at least 1 1/2 hours. They were flying about 300 feet elevation until about 9:00, and then were observed closer to ground. Hundreds were along Leakey Springs, dipping in and out of water. Only a few (10) stopped to nectar."

¡Bienvenido a Mexico!
Flying low and in procession, newly-arrived monarchs stirred excitement as they crossed into Mexico.

"At this very moment, the CONANP monitoring team is seeing 800-1,000 monarchs near Muzquiz, Coahuila," wrote Rocio Treviño whose network tracks migration across northern Mexico.

The migration is right on schedule, according to Treviño, who marks Columbus Day as the traditional arrival time.

First for New Mexico
Given how far west the migration has drifted this fall, a roost in New Mexico should come as no surprise. But it's a first for Journey North and further documents the signficant impact of wind on migration.

Wind Map Peak Monarch Migration Day
Peak Migration Day
 
Monarch Butterfly
Crossing into Mexico

Monarch Butterfly
First for New Mexico
News from Mexico: Monitoring Begins
Meet the children who will announce the monarchs' arrival at the overwintering region.

"We will keep alert to give you the great news when monarchs arrive to overwinter with us this season!"

Maps: Report Your Sightings
What to Report to Track Fall Migration Monarch Butterfly: Adult Sighted Monarch Butterfly: Egg or Larva Sighted
What to Report Adult Butterflies
map | list | animation
Eggs and Larvae
map | list
Monarch Butterfly Migration Map: Fall Roosts, Fall 2015 Monarch Butterfly Migration Map: Peak Migration Fall 2015 How You Can Help
Fall Roosts
map | list | archives | animation
Peak Migration
map | list | animation
 
Journal and Activities
  • Journal: Mexican States on Migration Pathway
Journal
Next Update October 22, 2015