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| Monarch
Butterfly Migration Update: May 20, 2005 |
Today's
Report Includes:
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Monarch
Migration
As of May 20, 2005 |
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News
From the Migration Trail
The migration made a clear push northward this week, as today's
map shows.
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In
the Midwest, two simultaneous sightings from Iowa on May 17th
were the first for that state, and suggest a clear wave of arrival
there. "The southerly winds were fairly strong, around
25 mph. Perhaps the Monarch might have taken advantage of the
wind flow," suggested Dr. Royce Bitzer of Ames, IA.
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South
Dakota's first sighting, on the Iowa/South Dakota border on
the 18th, puts the leading edge of the migration as far as 43
N. Strong south winds were also mentioned by the observer there.
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No
monarchs have yet been reported from Canada. When do you predict
the migration will cross into Canada? From which province do
you think the monarchs be reported first?
The
Value of Long-term Record-keeping
In the East, Ms. Gayle Steffy's sightings in Lancaster, Pennsylvania
(40 N) show the value of long-term record-keeping. She saw evidence
of the first monarchs this year on May 17th. (After scouring 500
plants she found three monarch eggs--proof that a female monarch
had arrived!)
Here
are her records of first sightings in this and previous years,
for comparison:
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5/17/05
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5/11/04
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5/20/03
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5/13/01
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5/5/00
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5/4/99
How many days later than average was this year's first sighting?
Are the monarchs late in reaching Lancaster, PA this year, according
to Ms. Steffy's records? Alternatively, explain how a small population
could give the false impression that the monarchs are late.
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How
Does This Year's Migration Compare?
Abundance:
We have only 11 new sightings in this week's report. Here are
the numbers of sightings received the 3rd week of May in this
and previous years, for comparison:
Distribution
and Abundance:
Migration maps from previous years show how the pattern and
extent of this year's migration compares:
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| 2001 |
2002 |
2003 |
2004 |
The
Monarch Migration Continues!
Other Journey North migrations have come to an end, but we'll continue
to track the monarchs until they have expanded across their entire
breeding range. Weekly updates with migration maps and data will
be provided every Friday until the end of June.
We
Need Your Help: Please Report Your Sightings
It's an important year to document the migration, so please don't
go away. Even if monarchs have already been reported from your state
or province, we want to know when YOU see YOUR first monarch.
- Remember:
We can't track the migration without your help!
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Year-End
Evaluation: Please Share Your Thoughts!
Please take a few minutes to share your suggestions and comments in our
Year-End Evaluation. The information readers provide is critical for planning
new initiatives and for improving Journey North. We'd appreciate your help.
THANK YOU!
The Next Monarch Migration Update Will Be Posted on May 27, 2005
Copyright
2005 Journey North. All Rights Reserved.
Please send all questions, comments, and suggestions to our
feedback form
 
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