Journey North News: Winter & Spring 2008
Posted Thursdays: Feb. 7, 14, 21, 28, Mar. 6, 13, 20, 27, Apr. 3, 10, 17, 24, May 1, 8, 15, 22, 29...and weekly until the migration is complete!
Weather conditions caused sweltering heat but let massive numbers of monarchs move into MA, NH, VT, ME, ON and PQ: "Nous avons vu notre premier monarque aujourd'hui," came the news from Quebec City near latitude 47N. Students at Davis Elementary in Bedford, MA, saw their first monarch when CBS News Boston came to visit. Take a look!
At last! The chilly, wet weather that has slowed the migration all month finally gave way at the end of last week. Warm, moist air moved northward and the monarchs moved with it. The migration has now expanded to latitude 47 N and as far east as Nova Scotia. week. Photo: Wayne Kryduba
Brrrr....After another cold week in the north the migration still seems to be stalled at about latitude 45N in the central region and 42N in the east. This week, watch a monarch hatch from its egg. What questions does this miraculous monarch raise? Send us your list! We'll try to answer them next week.
They are few and far between, but monarchs have now reached latitude 45 north. Cool temperatures are slowing the migration northward. When the pattern breaks on Saturday south winds should bring warm air—and monarchs—northward. Let's see! This week, come on a photo safari and see if you can find the milkweed that's hiding in these pictures.
The first monarch was spotted in Canada on May 8th this spring, the very same day as last year's first sighting. The big surge in numbers we have been predicting should occur any day. Let us know what you see! Meanwhile, explore the connections between milkweed and monarchs and enjoy a field trip to the milkweed patch in this week's slideshow.
Monarch butterflies and ruby-throated hummingbirds both eat nectar and are both crossing eastern North America right now. Why do you suppose hummingbirds can travel north more quickly? Also look closely at two monarch larvae and compare them. Find out what causes the differences that you see.
Monarch
Butterfly Migration Update: May 1, 2008
As you can plainly see, the migration map has hardly changed during the
past week. Its leading edge still hovers at latitude 40N where it was
last week, and only a handful of sightings were reported. Can you figure
out why? Also, people have been amazed and delighted this spring by the
monarch's amazing ability to find milkweed, even the tiniest plants. What
senses do monarchs have, and how do they use them to find milkweed? Photo:
Jim Conner
Monarch
Butterfly Migration Update: April 24, 2008
What a week! According to observers, the monarchs moved into six new states
and a most remarkable sighting was reported from Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
If the butterfly came from Mexico it would have flown over 1,600 miles!
Do you think this is a reliable sighting? Also this week, take a close
look at the amazing legs monarch larvae have. How do their special legs
help monarchs survive?
Monarch
Butterfly Migration Update: April 17, 2008
Last week's final blast of winter stopped the monarchs in their tracks.
Look how little the migration map changed in the Central Plains, where
most of the monarch population is poised to move northward. The big news
this week is that new butterflies of the next generation are now being
born in Texas! These young butterflies will join the migration and continue
the journey north in place of their parents.
Monarch
Butterfly Migration Update: April 10, 2008
Look how far east the monarchs have gone and how little they have moved
to the north! Measure from a central point in Texas you'll find they've
flown 1,000 miles to the east and only 500 miles to the north. What causes
this pattern? Other news: new butterflies of the next generation are about
to be born, so make room on your migration map! Also, this week's monarch
photo is a mystery. Any idea what it is? Photo:
Dr. Lincoln Brower
Monarch
Butterfly Migration Update: April 3, 2008
March 27th was the week's big migration day. Scientists who monitor weather
and insect migration watch for conditions like these.Take a look at wind
and weather maps for the day. If you're waiting to see your first monarch?
This week's migration map questions are for you! And don't miss Answers
from the Expert, Monarch biologist Dr. Karen Oberhauser.
It looked like fall migration along the Texas Gulf coast late last week there were so many monarchs! But the 'stop and start' nature of monarch migration is evident when you play this week's animated migration map. How closely do monarchs follow after milkweed becomes available in the spring? Dr. Brower explains why that's an important question. This week's photo is a monarch egg. Describe it!
The first monarchs have arrived in Texas— and the first eggs of the next generation are being laid. Learn how to use our migration map in a scavenger hunt to answer questions. Also, predict where the migration move during the next month. Spring migration is underway!
The monarchs are on their way! Dr. Bill Calvert reported last night from Angangueo after watching monarchs stream out of the Rosario colony in massive numbers. Then came the news from the state of Querétaro, 60 miles north. The journey north is underway! Also this week, alarming news about deforestation in the monarch region. Find out how students helped scientists collect the strongest evidence yet that the monarch forest in Mexico needs stronger protection.
Monarch
Butterfly Migration Update: March 6, 2008
It's
March! The days are getting longer, the air drier, and temperatures are
rising in the monarch colonies in Mexico. "Within the month—a
relatively short time—these butterflies will vacate their winter
haunt and begin the recolonization of North America."
How did milkweed the monarchs ate last fall help them survive the winter
in Mexico? Find two important ways in today's update. Photo
by Don Davis
Monarch
Butterfly Migration Update: February 28, 2008
Two important signs of spring were noted during the past week at the over-wintering
sites in Mexico. The monarchs are moving down the mountains, and mating
is increasing. Last fall, classrooms sent over $11,000 to Mexico for monarch
conservation. Two stories this week are about the work the students' donations
are supporting. The goal of both projects is to take pressure off the
forest by helping local people find new ways to live and work.
Monarch
Butterfly Migration Update: February 21, 2008
The monarch's story is one of nature's greatest survival stories. Yet
competition with people over use of the forest is the greatest challenge
the monarchs face in Mexico. Today we'll explore uses of wood by families
who live in the region. Meet children who live in the region and and see
how their simple rural lifestyle compares to your own.
Monarch
Butterfly Migration Update: February 14, 2008
Dr. Lincoln Brower sends news about his research trip to Mexico. He shares
his hypothesis about how monarchs benefit from clustering on the trunks
of trees. Why do monarch butterflies come together by the millions and
form colonies the way they do? Take a look and think it through. Photo:
Dr. Lincoln Brower, Sweet Briar College
Monarch
Butterfly Migration Update: February 7, 2008
Welcome to Journey North's spring's migration season! It's been
three months since the first monarchs reached their winter home in Mexico
after their long, fall migration. How many monarchs are in Mexico this
winter? Find out why scientists count butterfly trees instead of butterflies
to answer that important conservation question. Photo:
Dr. Lincoln Brower, Sweet Briar College
Welcome to Journey North's spring monarch migration season!
Winter
>> We
begin each year while the monarchs are still at the overwintering sites,
deep in central Mexico. The monarch’s story of survival during the
winter months in Mexico is as spectacular as their incredible migration.
During the first weeks, we’ll look at the monarch’s winter
habitat and their adaptations for survival.
Spring >>
Get ready to track the migration! The monarchs head north in March. Find
out how to report your sightings and track the migration on real-time
migration maps.
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