Monarch Butterflies

(Back to this week's update.)

Visit to Sierra Chincua Sanctuary (February 23)
We arrived late (about 3:00 p.m.). We found a small, largely inactive group strung out along 100m of drainage leading down from the Mojonera Alta into the Arroyo La Plancha. The clusters were small and high indicating that they had moved there from some other location. These are the type of clusters that appear late in the season. We estimate that, at their widest, the area that the butterflies occupied was 50 to 30 meters across. But it was difficult to tell because the ejidotarios did not allow us very close to the colony. Some dead butterflies were scattered about, but not so many where we were. Some of the dead ones were greasy indicating that they had frozen or had been preyed upon; others showed no greasy appearance and had flattened abdomens that felt empty when squeezed. These had likely starved. The low vegetation show frost damage - curled and browned leaves.

Visit to Cerro Pelon Sanctuary (February 24)
At the approach to the community of Macheros we found butterflies streaming down (and up) the mountain. There was considerable flight activity - a behavior that we usually encounter later in the season. After an hour's horse back ride up the steep slopes of the Cerro Pelon we arrived (ca. 2:30) at the Pelon colony. Here we found a very densely packed colony also strung out along 80m of canyon leading down from the Gota de Agua. This aggregation was not wide (maybe 30 m) being confined by the steep canyon sides. The forest guards explained that this was the largest of three group that were spread out along the canyon. The day was considerably warmer than the previous day at Chincua. There was much activity - flying, basking and roosting. Our impression was that there were many more butterflies here than in Chincua. A number of dead butterflies were strewn about the forest floor, but nothing like in past seasons after major storms. We detected no frost damage to vegetation at the butterfly colony or its approaches.

It's Good to be Back in Mexico
We flew in last Friday, February the 19th. I was told that it had rained and rained for three days straight. The view from the airplane was simply dazzling. The volcanoes (Iztazihuatle and Popocatepetle) were glistening white from tree line to summit. And down in the city, the air had a crystal purity seldom seen since the 1940s.

Mexico has received such bad publicity lately, but down on the streets all was normal. The main boulevard Reforma was much like any grand avenue in any major city – lined with giant trees, glamorous buildings, contemporary art and bustling with traffic. But back one block is pure Mexico. Multiple small shops selling food and everything else, metal tables on sidewalks with happy people taking a late supper. Rotisseries of slabbed meats, roasting slowly, to be carved off as needed. Little boys expertly spinning their tops on the cracked and uneven pavement. Six public phones on each intersection only one of which worked. Perhaps it was the little boys who captured the spirit of the place – expertly using their simple toys to thoroughly entertain themselves.

Bill Calvert and Bonnie Chase
Monarch Watch of Texas

Meet Dr. Bill Calvert
Story and Video Clip