Monarch Butterflies
Migration Update: May 18, 2007
Please Report
Your Sightings! >>

Today's Report Includes:

How Does the Monarch Get Out of the Chrysalis? >>
The Migration: Maps, Questions and Highlights

Distribution Map >>

Real-time Map >>

Map Questions >>

  • Map: Animated Map (Week-by-week slideshow) >>
  • Map: Printer Friendly Version >>
  • Sightings: Recent Sightings (for Classroom Mapping) >>
  • Sightings: All Sightings >>

Highlights: Flying North With the Wind!

What a week! Strong, gusty winds blew from the south and the monarchs must have hitched a ride. All at once good numbers appeared in Iowa, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan and Ontario to the delight of observers there. Play the animated map back and forth and you'll see the dramatic advance. The northernmost monarchs are now approaching latitude 47 N, according to our observers. The surge in monarch numbers that we have been predicting became apparent. There were three times more sightings this week than last!

  • Add the three new states to your Prediction Chart where the monarchs have just arrived!

 

 

 

 

 
The Monarch Migration Continues! Please stay tuned...

Other Journey North migrations are coming to an end, but we will track the monarchs until they've expanded across their breeding range. This normally takes until mid-June.

  • Don't go away! We can't track migration without your help and the monarchs still have a long way to travel.
Slideshow: How Does the Monarch Get Out of the Chrysalis?

A monarch seems to comes out of its chrysalis the way a flower bursts from a bud. This everyday miracle will take place millions and millions of times in the coming months, perhaps in your own backyard.

But how does the monarch get out? Use your powers of observation to explore that question with this series of time-lapse photos.

Slideshow >>
Journal: How Can a Camera Help a Scientist Learn?
Some things happen too quickly for our eyes to see. Others happen too slowly for our senses to catch — or take too long for our patience to endure. A camera can freeze a moment, magnify a detail, turn hours into seconds, and store memories forever. Because observation is the first step in the scientific process, a camera can be an important tool for a scientist. You'll appreciate why when you try this:
  • Describe your favorite image in today's slideshow and then try to draw it. Exchange your work with a friend and see if you can find one another's favorite image. In your journal, explain what made your drawing and description difficult to do. How does a camera help a scientist make good observations?
Year-end Evaluation: Please Share Your Thoughts! >>

Will you take a few minutes to complete our Year-end Evaluation?

With your help, we can we document Journey North's reach, impact and value.

Thank you! >>

Year-end Evaluation >>
Links: Monarch Butterfly Resources to Explore
  • Video Clip: A Butterfly is Born >>
  • Writing Prompt: A Bird Hatches and a Butterfly Ecloses: What's the Difference? >>
  • Slideshow: The Life Cycle of the Monarch Butterfly (English) >>
  • Slideshow: El Ciclo de Vida de la Mariposa Monarca (Spanish) >>
  • Predicting: Predicting the Route of the Spring Migration >>
  • Mapping—Key Lessons & Resources: Making, Reading and Interpreting Maps >>
  • Monarchs for Kids (booklets, photos, videos) >>
More Monarch Lessons and Teaching Ideas!

The Next Monarch Migration Update Will Be Posted on May 25, 2007.

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