| Please Report Your Sightings! |
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This Week's Update Includes:
- News: Here They Come!
- Slideshow: A New Generation
- The Migration: Maps and Journal
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| Little Egg, Big Hope |
As Estela watched from the hillside, hundreds of monarchs began their silent journey north with clear determination:
"Butterflies were coming downhill from El Rosario and flying northwest. They were streaming down the canyon in a small but beautiful cascade. From this point, the butterflies continue heading northwards, coming your way!
Fifty Miles Away
A stream of migrating monarchs was seen last Saturday about 50 miles north of the sanctuaries. The butterflies were passing at a rate of 35-50 per minute! Nobody knows exactly where the butterflies travel across northern Mexico so an observation like this is important.
Brower Expedition
Dr. Lincoln Brower just returned from Mexico. He was checking the status of the butterflies and habitat at the Chincua, El Rosario and Pelon colonies. He saw little evidence that the butterflies were leaving. However, he witnessed the behavior that immediately precedes depature. The butterflies were in a very active state, zooming around in the sky in a dispersive way. He expressed concern that the monarchs appear to be leaving too early. They shouldn't leave until last week of March, he believes.
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| Photo: Estela Romero |
| Heading North! |
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| Image: Dr. Lincoln P. Brower |
| Brower Expedition |
According to our observers, monarchs may already have spread more than 1,000 miles from the overwintering sites in Mexico. Our northernmost reports this week came from Oklahoma and Arkansas on Tuesday:
"Saw the first monarch today...One week earlier than in the past 3 years. A little faded, but majestic as always!" Portland, Arkansas
Did these monarchs come from Mexico, or did they overwinter in the United States? After such a warm winter, either is possible.
- Watch the animated migration map and form your own hypothesis.
Wave Enters Texas
Observers reported a clear wave of arrival during the past week in Texas. Many people saw multiple monarchs:
"Spotted two monarchs passing through south Austin. After a rainy weekend, blue skies appeared Sunday and these beauties were seen heading north. Our drought has eased somewhat so everything is in bloom."Austin, Texas
Laying Eggs Along the Way
Field notes and pictures captured on Tuesday in Dobbin, Texas illustrate a day in the life of a migrating monarch. Take a look!
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| Surprisingly Far North |
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| Image: Kathy Metzger |
| Laying Eggs |
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| Image: Kathy Metzger |
| The eggs! |
- Slideshow: A New Generation
Essential Question |
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 Journal |
| First Monarch (map | animation | sightings) |
First Milkweed (map | animation | sightings) |
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