Monarch Migration Update: May 30, 2013
Please Report
Your Sightings!
Report Your Sightings
At last, a surge of sightings entered the north. Also this week, watch a caterpillar transform into a chrysalis.

This Week's Update Includes:

Image of the Week
Monarch butterfly changing into chrysalis
Close-up
Image: Elizabeth Howard
News: North Sees a Surge
Northern Sightings Increase
With 47 sightings reported during the past week, we're finally seeing a surge into the north.

"Finally! The weather warmed, the wind is blowing from the south, and monarchs (3 only) are moving in right along the Lake Michigan lakefront." Milwaukee, WI May 29, 2013

Three new states reported monarchs: Minnesota, Wisconsin and Massachusetts. The week's northernmost sighting in Minnesota puts the migration's leading edge at latitude 45˚N.

Late Southern Sightings
After weeks of waiting, patient people to the south finally saw first monarchs. Multiple sightings were reported from Kansas, Missouri and Nebraska. The map is finally filling in where the migration's leading edge arrived weeks ago.

Hungry Monarch in Maryland
Students at Chesapeake Charter School were delighted to discover the first monarch in their garden:

"Young caterpillar just beginning to munch on our milkweed plants by the flagpole." May 29, 2013

Monarch butterfly egg in Massachusetts
Easternmost Egg
Image: Karin Sutter
 
YOUR observations are important!
Whenever you see your first monarch, please report.
Slideshow: Into the Chrysalis
Observation is the first step in the scientific process. With time-lapse images, you can document changes and focus on details.

Worksheet: Journal Page
The Migration: Maps and Journal
  • Please report your monarch and milkweed sightings.
Monarch butterfly migration map Map of milkweed emergence: Spring 2013 What I see, What I wonder
Journal
Monarchs
(map | animation | sightings)
Milkweed
(map | animation | sightings)
Evaluation: Please share your thoughts!

Please take a few minutes to complete our Annual Evaluation. With your help, we can document Journey North's reach, impact and value. Thank you!

Please Help: Journey North Annual Evaluation

Journey North Evaluation

Next update June 6 , 2013