Journey North: Monarch Butterfly

Tagged Monarch Tells a Surprising Story
(More True Stories About Tagged Monarch Butterflies)

Don was surprised to find a monarch in Ontario that had been tagged in Ohio because the monarch should have been flying toward Mexico during its fall migration.

Why did this monarch travel in the wrong direction! As it happens, Hurricane Katrina's path moved over Ohio a few days after the monarch was tagged. Don knows that hurricanes and other strong storms can blow birds off course. Could this have happened to the monarch?

“Was this monarch blown into Ontario, and about 165 miles north-east from where it was tagged, by Hurricane Katrina?” Don wondered.

Why did the monarch travel in the wrong direction?

Did Hurricane Katrina carry the monarch 165 miles in the wrong direction?

As these maps show, the dates and locations match the track of the storm closely. The monarch was originally tagged on the south shore of Lake Erie, near Cleveland, Ohio. A woman named Julie Clemens captured and released it on August 26th, along with 48 other butterflies. Where do you suppose the 49 butterflies are today?

“If hurricane Katrina caused their flight to Canada--which seems likely-- can the butterflies regain enough strength to start out all over again and make the whole journey? Did the whole group get blown in your direction?” she said to Don.

Hurricane Katrina's Path
This maps shows the predicted track of Hurricane Katrina as it moved up the Ohio Valley August 30th and 31st.

Tagged Monarch Tells a Surprising Story (More True Stories About Tagged Monarch Butterflies)
Don was surprised to find a monarch in Ontario that had been tagged in Ohio because the monarch should have been flying toward Mexico during its fall migration. Why did this monarch travel in the wrong direction! As it happens, Hurricane Katrina's path moved over Ohio a few days after the monarch was tagged. Don knows that hurricanes and other strong storms can blow birds off course. Could this have happened to the monarch? “Was this monarch blown into Ontario, and about 165 miles north-east from where it was tagged, by Hurricane Katrina?” Don wondered.	Why did the monarch travel in the wrong direction?

Did Hurricane Katrina carry the monarch 165 miles in the wrong direction?
As these maps show, the dates and locations match the track of the storm closely. The monarch was originally tagged on the south shore of Lake Erie, near Cleveland, Ohio. A woman named Julie Clemens captured and released it on August 26th, along with 48 other butterflies. Where do you suppose the 49 butterflies are today? “If hurricane Katrina caused their flight to Canada--which seems likely-- can the butterflies regain enough strength to start out all over again and make the whole journey? Did the whole group get blown in your direction?” she said to Don.	Hurricane Katrina's Path This maps shows the predicted track of Hurricane Katrina as it moved up the Ohio Valley August 30th and 31st.