Monarch Migration News: October 22, 2015
By Elizabeth Howard
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Monarchs are crossing northern Mexico on the final 500 miles of migration.

Monarch Butterfly

"Thousands formed clusters on huizaches and rested there for the night."
Neri Morales Trevino   San Buenaventura, Coahuila

 
News: The Final 500 Miles
Peak migration is currently in the state of Coahuila and sightings are being reported as far south as San Luis Potosí. As they move through Mexico, the monarchs funnel into rivers of butterflies. At night, they cluster in larger and larger concentrations.

"There were hundreds crossing the road. We had to slow down so not to run into them."

"Since morning thousands began to arrive and around 5:00 pm they formed clusters on huizaches and rested there for the night."

— Courtesy of Rocio Treviño, Correo Real

Just Think...
Millions of monarchs are flying across the continent toward a tiny spot on the planet. They’re traveling to a place they’ve never been. Look at them moving down the map toward their destination.

Crossing Mexico
Two geographic features are compressing the monarch's flight-path now, the Gulf of Mexico and the Sierra Madres Mountains. The butterflies seem to follow the mountain chain at this stage of the migration.

Getting a Lift
The Sierra Madres stretch for 600 miles to the southeast. As easterly winds blow, the air rises over the east-facing slopes. Monarchs use the uplift for a free ride southward.

More on the Way
Large concentrations of monarchs are still being reported in Texas and New Mexico. A rare roost of 200 was spotted on the Gulf of Mexico in Alabama. As October progresses, watch for a pronounced coastal migration as north winds blow butterflies to the shorelines, especially in Texas.

Late monarchs were reported this week as far north as Minnesota and Wisconsin, and as far east as New York and New Jersey. The latter are still 2,000 miles from their winter home, and where cold October temperatures could trap them.

Peak monach butterfly migration
Final 500 Miles
Nelly Salas
 

Monarch Butterfly Migration Map

 

Monarch Butterfly Migration Map in Northern Mexico
Crossing Mexico
 
Monarch Butterfly Migration: Roosting in Texas
More on the Way
Glenda Bonham
News from Mexico: No Monarchs Yet...

"Monarchs are starting to make us run crazy. Once October arrives, we stretch out our necks as flamingos, longing to see a monarch!”

Letter from Estela

 

 
Conservation News

Studying Milkweed for Monarchs
Pilot project collects key information on milkweed densities to help inform national strategies for milkweed restoration.

How you can help Monarch Butterflies at Sanctuary in Mexico

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
Next Update October 29, 2015