Journey North News
Posted Thursdays: Feb. 7, 14, 21, 28, Mar. 7, 14, 21, 28, Apr. 4, 11, 18, 25, May 2, 9, 16, 23, 30, Jun. 6...and weekly until the migration is complete!
With low numbers and a late migration, many people are still waiting to see their first monarch of the year. Tracking continues!
Image: Elizabeth Howard
The migration has advanced north to Saskatchewan and east to Maine, yet many people are still waiting for their first monarch of the year. Tracking continues!
Image: Lisa Pleggenkuhle Grummer
Tracking continues as the migration advances into the Canadian Provinces and northeastern U.S.
Image: Debby Radio
Monarch Butterfly Update: June 6, 2013
People in the northern tier of the breeding range are finally seeing their first monarchs. Also, how does a monarch get out of the chrysalis?
Image: Elizabeth Howard
Monarch Butterfly Update: May 30, 2013
At last, a surge of sightings entered the north. Also this week, watch a caterpillar transform into a chrysalis.
Image: Elizabeth Howard
Clear northward movement at last! Also this week, look closely look at the caterpillar that becomes the monarch butterfly.
Image: Elizabeth Howard
Monarchs move northward in the east, while the slow migration season continues mid-continent.
Image: Bill Stark
Surprise sightings in the east raise questions, while the slow migration continues mid-continent.
Image: Monarch Larva Monitoring Project
Early May is a time of transition. People in the north await the arrival of the new generation. Observers in the south are seeing the last of the monarchs from Mexico.
Image: Chuck Patterson
Monarch Butterfly Update: April 25, 2013
Habitat is critical for monarchs in early spring.
Those from Mexico are nearing the end, and the next generation must continue the journey.
Image: Martha Richardson
Are monarchs traveling when and where their needs for food can be met? Explore the connection between nectar and migration.
Image: Frank Matheson
Monarchs are laying eggs all along the migration trail. How many eggs can one monarch lay—and how does a population grow?
Image: Jay Cossey
Cool temperatures are holding milkweed and monarchs back. Is the migration later than normal? Explore historic records to see what long-term data reveal.
Image: Veronica Mueller
Cold temperatures in Texas stopped the migration from Mexico in its tracks this week. This week's spotlight is Monarch Health.
Image: Veronica Mueller
As Estela says goodbye to the last butterflies, the first migrants are arriving in the north. Explore monarch conservation challenges and how you can help.
Image: Charmaine G
The mass migration should begin any day. Mexican officials say this winter's population hit at an historic low. Where will monarchs travel to find what they need this spring?
Image: Journey North
Scientific experts and world leaders have just returned from trips to see the butterflies. Migration starts soon!
Image: Robert P. Morris
This week, monarch tags and a discovery: Mexico's cold winter temperatures trigger spring migration.
Image: Dave Kust
This week, join Estela Romero on a tour of the world's largest monarch sanctuary. Explore the benefits and risks of ecotourism.
Image: Elizabeth Howard
The monarch's winter home in Mexico is surprisingly cold. Temperatures often fall to freezing! This week, explore how the cool habitat meets the monarchs' needs for survival. Estela tells about life for people in the region.
Image: Dr. Lincoln P. Brower, Sweet Briar College
Welcome to Journey North's 20th season. The monarchs reached their winter home in Mexico three months ago after a long fall migration. They'll begin their journey north in only six weeks. Start with the sights and sounds of a butterfly colony—and get ready for a season of discovery. Image: Art Howard, Artwork
Winter: On February 7, 2013 we begin when the monarchs are still at the overwintering sites, deep in central Mexico. The monarch's story is one of nature's most incredible examples of adaptation and 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 maps.
They're here! Late and long-awaited, thousands of monarchs surprised Estela at El Rosario Sanctuary on Monday. Butterflies filled the sky and she counted 13 trees covered with monarchs. Image: Estela Romero
We end our season with thanks to citizen scientists who make tracking fall migration possible. Now that the monarchs are reaching their destination, explore two key questions: Why do monarchs fly across the continent to reach this part of Mexico? How many monarchs survived the trip? Image: Deborah Klein
The massive arrival has begun! It's one of nature's great miracles. Monarchs find a place on the planet where they have never been. This week, explore how the monarchs' arrival is connected to Mexican traditions. Image: Estela Romero
A single monarch was spotted at the finish line! Meanwhile migration continues from as far north as Canada. This week, explore migration pathways. Even though it's their first migration, monarchs follow routes previous monarchs have flown. As they enter Mexico, monarch butterflies become mariposas monarcas. Image: Barbara Messimer
Monarch Migration News: October 18, 2012
Where are the monarchs? Texas should be in peak migration but so far the show is slow. We're waiting to see if the monarchs from the east appear there soon! The new IMAX film Flight of the Butterflies is a must-see. Mexican President Calderón endorses the film and explains the importance of monarch conservation.
Monarch Migration News: October 11, 2012
"We're ready to host the monarchs!" Estela Romero reports from Mexico. People say butterflies are headed her way, from Nova Scotia to Nuevo Leon. This week, try a research question: How high do monarchs fly—and how high can we see them? Image: Estela Romero
Monarch Migration News: October 4, 2012
"We're ready to host the monarchs!" Estela Romero reports from Mexico. People say butterflies are headed her way, from Nova Scotia to Nuevo Leon. This week, try a research question: How high do monarchs fly—and how high can we see them? Image: Paige Cunningham
Monarch Migration News: September 27, 2012
It was a week of peak migration along the Atlantic coast. "An endless number heading south," said one observer. With up to 3,000 miles to fly, will these monarchs make it to Mexico? Tagging data reveal their chances. Image: Patty Moss
Monarch Migration News: September 20, 2012
It was a week of peak migration along the Atlantic coast. "An endless number heading south," said one observer. With up to 3,000 miles to fly, will these monarchs make it to Mexico? Tagging data reveal their chances. Image: Deborah Klein
Monarch Migration News: September 13, 2012
Blown to England! Over 3,500 miles off course, this monarch was apparently carried across the Atlantic by Hurricane Isaac. Monarchs rely on the wind to get to Mexico, but it's also a major migration hazard. This week observers saw how the wind can affect our tiny travelers. Image: Martin Cade, Portland Bird Observatory
Monarch Migration News: September 6, 2012
Widespread drought on the migration trail raises concerns about this fall's migration. As monarchs travel through your hometown, what will you see? Discover when, where, and how to watch fall migration.
Your observations reveal this year's story as it unfolds. Image: Charlene Ryan
Monarch Migration News: August 23, 2012
They're off! Monarchs are on their way to Mexico and excitement is in the air. The first signs of directional flight have been reported from the north, and we're expecting the first report of roosting monarchs any moment. What makes monarchs born at this time of year so special? We begin with a puzzle about the monarch's annual cycle. Image: Carole Bradshaw
Welcome!
Get ready to track the monarch's migration to Mexico! Beginning August 30th, weekly Monarch Migration Updates will be posted every Thursday. Find out how to report your sightings and track the migration on real-time migration maps. More... Image: Bud Hensley
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