Monitoring Habitat While You Wait Spring Monarch Habitat Observations Instructions Long before the migration begins, begin to watch how the monarchs' habitat changes. First, go outside and inspect their habitat in the dead of winter. Then monitor the same site once each month -- and later more frequently -- leading up to the monarchs' arrival in the spring. On each visit, use this checklist to record the date, photoperiod & temperature; look for milkweed and sources of nectar. Each time you visit the habitat, predict when you think milkweed will emerge, when the first flowers will bloom and the when the first monarch will arrive. Date of Observations Photoperiod Temperature Record today's high, low and average temperatures. Is there snow on the ground? Is there still frost on the ground in the mornings? Milkweed Find last summer's milkweed stalks, now brown and dead. Inspect the ground underneath carefully and watch for the first milkweed shoot to emerge. As soon as you see the first shoot, check the plant regularly for eggs and larvae. Nectar Sources Watch for the first flowers of spring. (Look up! Trees are the first plants to bloom.) My Predictions Date First Milkweed   First Flower   First Monarch   Education Standards >> Copyright 2000-2006 Journey North. All Rights Reserved. Please send all questions, comments, and suggestions to our feedback form