This Week's Update Includes:

• News: Flying in a Flurry!
• Slideshow: A Race Against Time
• Spring Migration: Warm Winter, Early Sightings?
• The Migration: Maps and Journal Page

"Butterflies were flying every-which-way in a flurry. On this sunny day they were clouding the sky! The air was so filled with flapping, flying butterflies it sometimes seemed hard to breathe!"

Dr. Lincoln Brower is visiting the sanctuaries this week and Estela had the honor of joining him.

"I hope I have been able to share at least a fraction of what I learned from my experience in the forest with Dr. Brower!"

As you read Estela's report, look for the three concerns Dr. Brower expressed about the health of the monarchs and their habitat.

• Visting the Butterflies with Dr. Brower

Presidential Visit
Mexico's President Calderón visited El Rosario sanctuary last Saturday. Afterward he Tweeted: "I was just in the Monarch Butterfly Reserve where an IMAX movie is being filmed about this great natural wonder." The president hopes the film will bring tourists to the region as a way to support the local economy.

• Slideshow: Spring Migration, A Race Against Time

Slideshow

March 5: Eagle Pass, Texas
"Whooo! Whooo! Saw my first very faded monarch this evening...This is my first earliest spotted spring remigrant since 1979! Last year's first sighting was on March 17th. Milkweed emerged on February 11th, 15 days early."

The leading edge of the migration typically crosses the Rio Grande (into Texas) around March 15th, says Texas expert Mike Quinn. This spring, we'll be watching carefully to see if the migration moves north more quickly. Pay special attention to the regions along the Gulf and Atlantic coasts where monarchs overwintered this season.

• Get Ready! Use this invitation letter to invite family and friends to help track spring migration.

Invitation Letter

• Please report your monarch and milkweed sightings.

		Journal
First Monarch (map | animation | sightings)	First Milkweed (map | animation | sightings)