Monarch Butterfly Migration News

Monarch Butterflies

Expanding North and East
May 25, 2017 by Elizabeth Howard

Monarchs have now expanded across 1 billion acres of breeding habitat from the 3 acres of winter habitat they occupied in Mexico.

"Generation 1 is here! Just watched a fresh female lay at least 2 dozen eggs in my yard!"
Candy Sarikonda Sylvania, Ohio May 17, 2017

Sightings Surge
More monarchs of the 1st spring generation are now on the wing. Almost 100 first sightings were reported this week; that's 10% of this spring's total.

Recolonizing New England
Also this week, monarchs arrived in 5 of the 6 New England states: RI, CT, MA, VT, ME.

"Picking the first lilacs of the season and there he/she was flying around the yard! Made us so happy!" Mia Strong, Sedgwick, Maine, May 24, 2017.

"A very faded but otherwise perfect female came through the yard checking out my milkweed species. I was so stunned I couldn't get a photo before she was off again. This is the earliest for a monarch here at Waystation 2638. Predicting a very good year!" Dwayne Taylor, Salem, MA, May 20, 2017

A Promising Prediction
Earlier-than-normal arrivals in the northeastern U.S. mean an early beginning of the breeding season there, and a promise of higher-than-normal numbers this summer.

Looking Ahead
Milkweed has now emerged across the monarch's breeding range. When will the migration reach the end of the milkweed trail? Report your sightings and let's see.

1st for Maine

1st for Vermont

1st for Rhode Island

Milkweed Habitat

Monarchs are taking advantage of the growing season in North America. As miles and miles of milkweed habitat become available, monarchs arrive and lay their eggs. Hungry caterpillars eat and grow. A new generation of adults butterflies emerges. The cycle continues.

Habitat Map
Journal: How can you improve habitat for monarchs in your community?

Monarch Butterfly Wings Over Time: Journal

Evaluation: 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!

Journey North Annual Evaluation

Spring Migration 2017


Report all monarchs you see — adults, eggs, larvae.

What to Report	Adults report \| map \| list	Eggs report \| map \| list

Larvae report \| map \| list	Milkweed report \| map \| list	Other Observations report \| map \| list

Next Update June 1, 2017