The monarch migration from Mexico has begun! Thanks to biologist Bill Calvert of Austin, Texas we have this exciting news to report:
As of last week:
"Two monarchs that are very likely migrants have already arrrived inTexas. None have been reported since the cold weather last week. But the first arrivals are here, although in small numbers."
Here are the dates and locations of the first spring monarch migrants of 1996:
Date Location
03/02/96 Brownsville, TX
03/03/96 Luling, TX
As of March 18, 1996:
"Monarchs have been spotted in Eagle Lake, Port O' Connor and Houston. Larvae are well-advanced at Port O' Connor."
Blake School teacher Jon Dicus is now visiting Angangueo, Mexico and has promised to send an update from the sanctuaries. The computer he and his students delivered there has not been connecting to the Internet properly so he's there to do some trouble shooting. This is probably not a surprise to any of you, knowing how temperamental Internet connections can be.
It will be interesting to hear how the sanctuaries look and how the monarchs are behaving during the last days of their stay. The butterflies do not leave all at once, but within a short time the sanctuaries will be empty--and the monarchs will be on their way north.
Are you ready to help track the migration? We've attached a letter below which we hope you'll forward to people who you think might be willing to help. Everyone is welcome to participate. Please send it to people you know who have e-mail.
The Next Monarch Butterfly Migration Update Will be Posted on March 26, 1996.
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Dear
The monarch butterfly migration from Mexico has begun!
I hope you'll help track the monarch migration this spring. Please report the FIRST monarch butterfly you see to us at:
Remember to include your name, the date you saw the butterfly and the nearest town--so others can find the location of your sighting on a map.
Please forward the information below to other people who may be interested in this project. All are welcome to participate, young and old!
Thank you,
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Journey North's 3rd Annual
Spring Monarch Migration Project
Get ready!
You're invited to take part in an international science
project with students and scientists across North America.
This spring we'll create a live map of the monarch
butterflies' dramatic migration from Mexico and advance
the understanding of this spectacular natural phenomenon.
Millions and Millions of Monarchs
Every year, monarch butterflies return to eastern North
America after spending the winter concentrated by
the millions in a handful of small mountain sanctuaries
west of Mexico City. They flew up to 2,500 miles to
get there last fall and have survived since November
on the precious energy contained in their fat reserves.
With just a few weeks left to live, they're about to begin
their journey north.
They're On Their Way!
An announcement of the butterflies' grand exodus
from Mexico (usually about the time of the spring equinox
in March) will alert an electronic network of observers
that the monarchs are on their way. From Mexico to
Canada hundreds of people are prepared to report the
FIRST monarch they see this season. Live reports will
arrive from March until June--first from Texas, then
at points further and further north until they finally
reach the Canadian Provinces. When the trip ends in
June, it will have spanned two monarch generations.
Science and Celebration
In a unique partnership, students and scientists will
work together to gather, organize and analyze data about
this fascinating event. They'll explore how wind and
weather effect the journey, they'll discover the routes the monarchs take
and the risks they face along the way.
They'll learn about conservation needs on the wintering
grounds and at points along the path. Perhaps most
importantly, they'll celebrate the return of this delicate
sign of spring as it moves across the continent and gain an understanding
of global ecological systems. In the words
of one participating teacher:
"My students suddenly saw the connection between the backyard butterfly, spring temperatures and the distant country of Mexico. They were able to see how fragile nature is, and that all living things are interconnected."
About the Journey North Program
The monarch migration is one of a dozen migrations tracked each year by the
Journey North program. Journey North is an annual, Internet- based distance
learning adventure that engages students grades 4-12 in a global study of
wildlife migration. From Groundhog's Day until summer vacation (Feb.2-June
1) students across North America share observations with classrooms across
the hemisphere. In addition to studying migration they observe the local
emergence of spring through studies of changing day length, temperatures
and other signs of spring.
How to Participate
You can follow Journey North's migrations on the Internet in two ways:
E-mail: jnorth@learner.org
WWW: http://www.learner.org
Funding for this project is provided by:
Annenberg/Corporation for Public Broadcasting
Project for Elementary and High School Mathematics and Science and The
National Fish and Wildlife Foundation.
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