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Monarch
Migration Update: June 11, 2009
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Please
Report
Your Sightings! |
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Today's
Report Includes:
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Why
the red flags? >>
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The Migration: Highlights,
Maps, and Questions |
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Migration
Highlights |
Not Butterfly Weather!
Cloudy, cold, windy and rainy...that's the weather report
from much of the north where monarchs have yet to appear widely.
Temperatures have averaged at least 5 degrees below normal across
central Canada, the Upper Midwest, Great Lakes, and Northeast for
several weeks. The jet stream seems stuck in its winter postion.
This is not butterfly weather! These cool conditions are also slowing
the development of monarchs through their egg, larva and chysalis
stages. Slow generation-times early in the breeding season are one
factor that could cause a small monarch population later this summer.
Let's hope the north warms up and monarchs get growing and moving!
Noteworthy
this week:
- Northernmost
monarch:
Evidence that monarchs have reached latitude 47 north came this
week from Mr. Tom Uecker who spotted monarch eggs in Duluth, Minnesota.
- Northernmost
milkweed:
Milkweed has emerged in Winnipeg, Manitoba, at latitude
50 N, according to three observers there. There will be food there
for hungry caterpillars if the monarchs keep traveling.
- Southernmost
first monarch:
David Miller finally saw his first monarch at latitude 40 N in
Canaan Valley, West Virginia on June 8th. Because of its high
elevation, Canaan Valley is noted for its "Canada-like"
weather, with cold, snowy winters and cool summers, says Miller.
Remember how the monarchs appeared to miss the Appalachian Mountains
back in April? Take
a look!
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Milkweed
is ready in Manitoba!
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Sightings
per Week: How
is this year different from last year? |
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Volunteers Needed: Monarch Larva Monitoring Project >>
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You
can help scientists study monarch populations by establishing your
own study site.
Why
is this study important?
The data volunteers collect are important in advancing
our understanding of the factors that drive monarch populations,
says Dr. Oberhauser. This is the only study that
monitors the monarch population during the breeding season across
North America. The results show scientists how abundant monarchs
are in different geographic regions. Scientists need to know what
factors cause the monarch population to rise and fall the way it
does. |
You
can participate in Monarch
Larva Monitoring Project |
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Symbolic
Migration: Kids Are Waiting, Please Report! |
Over
60,000 children sent symbolic monarchs to Mexico. So far, 19,100
butterflies have been reported to the map. This means nearly 40,900
children are still waiting to find their butterflies! Teachers:
Please help by reporting the butterflies you received. Thank you!
Kids
are waiting— please report! >>
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Year-end
Evaluation: Please Share Your Thoughts! >> |
Please
take a few minutes to complete our Year-end
Evaluation. With your help, we can we document Journey North's
reach, impact and value. We need comments like yours to keep the
program going and growing.
Thank
you! >>
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Year-end
Evaluation |
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Links:
Monarch Butterfly Resources to Explore |
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The
Next Monarch Migration Update Will Be Posted on June 18, 2009.
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