Monarch Butterfly Migration Update: February 3, 2006
Today's Report Includes:
- Welcome to Journey North's Spring Monarch Migration Season!
- First: Surviving the Winter
- Dr. Brower: How Does Climate Affect Monarchs?
- A Picture Says a Thousand Words: What Do Two Pictures Say?
- Challenge Question #1
- Visiting a Monarch Sanctuary with Dr. Brower
- Why Should We Care About Monarchs? Dr. Brower Needs Your Help
- Getting Started: Resources for New Participants
Welcome to Journey North's Spring Monarch Migration Season!
We watched in awe last fall as our familiar backyard butterflies flew all the way to Mexico. Monarchs traveled by the millions to a tiny region on the planet where they’ve been since November. We begin Journey North each year in February, while the monarchs are still at their over-wintering sites, deep in central Mexico. Welcome back!
|
Click the globe, find the location, then explore the links to learn more. |
First: Surviving the Winter
The monarch's story of survival during the winter months in Mexico is as spectacular as its migration. "It’s all about staying alive, day to day,” says monarch biologist Dr. Karen Oberhauser. During the coming weeks, we’ll take a close look at the monarch’s unique winter habitat, explore the challenges the monarchs face and how the they manage to survive.
Keep a Journal This journal is designed to be used while the monarchs are in Mexico, before their spring migration begins in March. |
 |
 |
Dr. Brower: How Does Climate Affect Monarchs?
 |
“Just back from a very successful research trip to the monarch sites,” began Dr. Lincoln Brower. With his note came words and images from his recent experience.
Dr. Brower describes himself as “a student and admirer of the monarch.” He probably knows more about monarch butterflies than anyone else in the world!
Butterfly research has been the focus of Dr. Brower's life since 1958. He is now studying how climate affects monarch butterfly survival in Mexico. What are his research questions? What methods will he use to answer them? You can read more about Dr. Brower and his research:
A Picture Says a Thousand Words: What Do Two Pictures Say?
Here are two photos taken during Dr. Brower’s trip. His colleague Dr. Linda Fink, and her student Jennifer Wiley, are at the monarch butterfly sanctuary called, "Sierra Chincua." Notice exactly when the pictures were taken:
 |
 |
| January 10 at 4 pm | January 11 at 9 am |
| Photos Copyright Dr. Lincoln Brower and Dr. Linda Fink, Sweet Briar College | |
Challenge Question #1
"What do you know about the climate of the monarch's winter habitat from these pictures? In your answer, tell us the clues you see. Also, explain how you think this climate might affect the monarchs." (Click the pictures for a larger view.)
- To respond to this Challenge Question, please follow these instructions.
Visiting a Monarch Sanctuary with Dr. Lincoln Brower
| Meet the Team! |
 |
Why Should We Care About Monarchs? Dr. Brower Needs Your Help
“Do you think students could help me?” Dr. Brower asked the other day. He went on to explain that he needs help from persuasive writers:
“I have been studying many different aspects of the monarch butterfly for over 50 years. I often give public lectures about its migration, its defenses against bird predators and its overwintering behavior. Afterwards, people in the audience often ask two questions: (1) Why is the monarch important; and (2) Why should we care about it?
"Of course I think that the monarch is an absolutely marvelous creature, but that does not satisfy them!! I would really appreciate hearing views on this from children, teachers, parents, or other adults. I know your words will help me convey the importance monarch butterflies have in our world.”
What do YOU think? Please send us your ideas and we’ll forward them to Dr. Brower.
- Why Should We Care About Monarchs? Click Here to send your thoughts.
|
Resources
for New Participants
|
 |
The Next Monarch Migration Update Will Be Posted on February 10, 2006
Copyright 2006 Journey North. All Rights Reserved.
Please send all questions, comments, and suggestions to our
feedback form
