Warm Fall, Slow Migration
September 21, 2017 by Elizabeth Howard
  The migration's leading edge has stalled in the Midwest, where headwinds are holding the butterflies back.  

Monarch Butterfly

"This monarch stopped by today. After circling three times she landed to nectar up — and then away she went. Safe trip lovely lady!" September 14, 2017, Jim Thursford, Saint Charles, MI

Leading Edge Stalled
Strong and persistent south winds across the Central Flyway have held the migration in place for the past week. What do the butterflies do while they wait?

"I found over 20 monarchs hanging on for a rough ride in 30 mph gusts - having a feeding frenzy on New England Asters on the acreage here. Very high winds today and warm, humid conditions," wrote Bruce Morrison from Southerland, Iowa on the 19th.

A first roost was finally reported in Kansas on September 20th. We've been waiting since last week for the leading edge to arrive.

"The front hasn’t really arrived here. It’s quite late and strong winds and high temps in the Midwest threaten to slow down the migration most of the next 10 days," wrote Dr. Chip Taylor from Lawrence, KS on the 18th.

Peak in Great Lakes
During a brief north wind this week, a clear pulse pushed through the Great Lakes region, where activity has been high for almost a month.

"I'm wondering if warm weather may prolong the migration," wrote monarch expert Don Davis.

First Pulse Along Atlantic
Blown to the coast by northwest winds, monarchs travel along the Atlantic Ocean shorelines. Migration ebbs and flows for 2-3 weeks in response to wind and weather.

"Steady activity coming in from the north all day," wrote Vidette Todaro of Cape May, NJ on the 20th.

Ecological Mismatch?
As warm temperatures and south winds delay the migration, what's happening to the flowers monarchs need for nectar? Are warm temperatures:

  • shortening the nectar-producing phase of flowers?
  • extending bloom-times because frost is delayed?

Scientists watch for ecological mismatch, where the timing of natural events are out of sync.

Migration Highlights
Monarch Butterfly
Unseasonably Warm
Windy.com
 
Monarch Butterfly
Bayside, Wisconsin
Moya Mowbray
 
Monarch Butterfly
Winter Harbor, Maine
Jude Kesl
 
Monarch Butterfly
Traphill, North Carolina
Sharon Billings

Monarch Mystery: Under a Rock

What was discovered under a rock in a hayfield in New York? Monarch biologist Dr. Chip Taylor shares his thoughts about the surprising sighting.

Mystery: Under a Rock!

Monarch refueling on the Iowa prairie by Bruce Morrison

Under a Rock!
Keith DeClercq

Journal: Temperature and Migration

In what ways can this fall's unusually warm temperatures affect monarchs and their migration?

Photo Gallery: What Can We Learn from Tagged Monarchs?
Report Your Sightings
Report all monarchs you see — adults, eggs, larvae.
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 2017 Monarch Butterfly Migration Map: Peak Migration Fall 2017 Journal
Fall Roosts
map | list | archives | animation
Peak Migration
map | list | animation

 

Next Update September 28, 2017