Monarch Butterfly Migration Update

Monarch Butterflies

Monarch Migration Update: March 21, 2013

Please Report
Your Sightings!

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.

This Week's Update Includes:

News:
- Estela's Goodbye to the Butterflies
- Northerners Welcome Arrivals
Conservation Challenges: How You Can Help
The Migration: Maps and Journal

Image of the Week

Milkweed for Monarchs!
Photo: Charmaine G

News: Estela's Goodbye to the Butterflies

Last Visitor in the Forest

The guides said she would only find tiny clusters, but Estela went into the sanctuary to see for herself. As this season's last visitor, Estela shares her experience.

"Walking through the forest all on my own, I had never felt such emotions. Knowing I was about to find them gone—and having just learned how few butterflies there are this year—I was struck by the huge responsibility they bear."

The Last Visitor

Northerners Welcome Arrivals

Monarchs moved into Texas during the past week, and first sightings were reported in Oklahoma and Arksansas.

"WHOOHOO! Just saw my first monarch of the season," came the news from Justin, Texas.
March 18, 2013

"Our first remigrant of 2013! We're on the primary route for northbound remigrants. There were days the last three years in March where, with monarch researchers, we counted over one hundred passing in a day. The numbers are down this year and the drought here will not make things better!" reported Harlen Aschen from Westoff, Texas. March 12, 2013

Milkweed Emerging!
Watch how closely the monarchs follow milkweed as it emerges across the breeding grounds this spring.

Report to the milkweed map.

A School Visitor

Emerging in Texas

Conservation Challenges: How You Can Help

With the monarch population at an historic low, explore the conservation challenges monarchs face and ways you can help.

Article: Conservation Challenges
Take Action: How You Can Help

Monarch population hits record low in Mexico

Get Ready: Spring Migration is Underway!

Please report your monarch and milkweed sightings.
		Journal
Monarchs (map \| animation \| sightings)	Milkweed (map \| animation \| sightings)

Next update March 28, 2013