As you will read today, millions upon millions of monarchs are coming your way! Within days the monarchs are vacating the colonies in Mexico. "I'm amazed by how quickly they departed!" said Dr. Lincoln Brower.

How far have the monarchs traveled so far? What will happen next? It's time to make your first weekly predictions.

Also: Why should we care about monarchs? Over 100 people sent their ideas. Are you ready to be inspired? Read on!  

Photo courtesy of Mr. Don Davis

How far have the monarchs traveled now? Take a look! Then send us your answer to Challenge Question #7 below.

Use today's data to make your own map, or print and analyze our map:

• Migration Map
• Migration Data for Classroom Mapping
• Slideshow (Week-by-week animation)

• To respond to this Challenge Question, please follow these instructions
  

Within only a matter of days the monarchs are vacating the colonies in Mexico. The first grand exodus was reported on Sunday, March 5th. On Friday, March 10, at the Chincua sanctuary, Dr. Lincoln Brower noticed the monarchs were leaving. But by the end of the day on Sunday, the colony had emptied. The butterflies were gone! "I'm amazed by how quickly they departed!" he said.

Four hundred miles to the north, in Saltillo, Coahuila, Mexico, Rocio Trevino has been watching. In nearly 15 years monitoring migration she has never seen so many monarchs heading north:

"En los casi 15 años que tengo monitoreando a las mariposas, nunca me había tocado ver tantas en su paso de regreso al norte como este año."

Dr. Calvert's comments echoed Dr. Brower's: "Gone were the swirling rivers of butterflies that descended and climbed the mountains with us each day," he began.

During his final week in Mexico, middle school students from Minnesota accompanied Dr. Calvert and assisted with research. "We have been so fortunate to witness this spectacle and it has inspired us to learn more about the mysteries the monarchs still hold," said the 7th and 8th grade students. Special thanks to these young scientists from St. Hubert's Middle School for sending a report with Dr. Calvert's:

Another surprise arrived this week. Mr. Don Davis returned from his 8-day expedition to see the monarchs. He sent spectacular photos and his first-hand account of the trip for all to enjoy. While there, Mr. Davis saw a potential risk to the monarch's forest that we haven't mentioned before--fire! What other new things can you learn about monarchs and their habitat from Don Davis?

• Field Notes from Mexico by Canadian Naturalist Don Davis

The next time someone asks Dr. Brower why monarchs are important, he will have a rich array of comments to share.

Over 100 people sent their ideas. They said that monarchs give us a common ground. Monarchs are fragile and beautiful, and they fascinate and inspire us. Monarchs remind us that all things are interconnected, and they deserve to live. "We would not be the same without them," said a student in Mrs. Dupper's 2nd Grade class in Colorado.

Are you ready to be inspired? Read on!

• Why Should We Care About Monarchs? People Share Their Thoughts

Challenge Question #4

Challenge Question #5

Challenge Question #6

• Lessons and Resources for Mapping
• Predicting the Route of the Monarch's Spring Migration
• Spring Migration Journals