Monarch Butterfly Update: March 29, 2012
Please Report
Your Sightings!
Report Your Sightings
It's here and it's free! Now you can report sightings from the field with Journey North's new app. This week, explore how citizens scientists contribute to scientific research and discovery by sharing monarch observations.

This Week's Update Includes:

Image of the Week
Monarch Butterfly Sanctuary Video Clip
Go Mobile!
News: End-of-March Snapshot
Sharing Observations
Every week, citizen scientist tell the monarch's story through the images and observations they share. What's happening right now across our continent? Use this week's journal page to capture the story.

Leaving the Sanctuary
Estela was surprised to see how many monarchs remained on her trip to the sanctuary this week. "They seem to be leaving more gradually this year."

Migration Highlights
For most of the last week, south winds continued to blow monarchs across Texas as beyond. A butterfly in Brewster, Kansas is now our northernmost monarch. Texas is a butterfly highway at this time of year:

"What a weekend! We observed at least 50 plus monarchs each day. Spring migration is definitely in full swing." Driftwood, TX

New Generation
In Georgia, Mrs. Spencer's first grade class at Briarlake Elementary saw their first monarch on Wednesday. They also saw the beginning of a new generation!

"We observed the female laying eggs on our milkweed. She moved to different plants to lay her eggs. She circled the garden and came back to lay some more. We observed her for about 10 minutes until she flew off."

Early Milkweed
Breaking ground and breaking records. Milkweed burst from the ground this week. The animated map shows the substantial green-up that occurred. Reporters across the north confirmed the effects of this month's historic heat-wave. Milkweed was emerging 3-4 weeks early, from Wisconsin to Ontario.

"Now we'll be watching out for frost!" an observer from Ohio cautioned.

Leaving the Monarch Butterfly Sanctuary
Photo: Estela Romero
Leaving the Sanctuary
 
Monarch Butterfly in Texas, March 2012
Photo: Harlen Aschen
Tattered in Texas
 
New Generation
Photo: Kathy Metzger
New Generation
 
Early Milkweed
Image: Debbie Jackson
Early Milkweed
Slideshow: Citizen Science: Tracking Monarch Butterfly Migration
Welcome citizen scientists! Citizen science involves everyday people in the process of scientific research. Across North America, people contribute sightings of monarch butterflies each fall and spring. Using the facts and photos in this slideshow, explore this essential question:

Essential Question
How can citizens scientists contribute to scientific research and discovery?

Citizen Science | Tracking Monarch Butterfly Migration
Slideshow

The Migration: Maps and Journal Page
Let's find out when and where monarchs and milkweed appear this spring.
Monarch Butterfly Winter Sightings Map of milkweed emergence: Spring 2011 Worksheet: Journal Page
Journal
First Monarch
(map | animation | sightings)
First Milkweed
(map | animation | sightings)
The next monarch migration update will be posted on April 5, 2012.