"I tried to tag a female monarch yesterday but she got away. She went high into the sky and flew directly south. It is the proof I've been looking for - The Great Migration has begun!" 8/25/14 Waukee, Iowa

Roosting Behavior
Our first and only roost has been reported at last, about a week later than normal. Why are roost reports fewer and later this year?

• Are there fewer monarchs in the population?
• Is the last generation still developing?
• Are warm overnight temperatures affecting roosting behavior?

Nectaring Intensely
Never is nectar more important to monarchs than during fall migration. They need nectar to fuel migration, and also to build the fat reserves they'll need to survive the winter months in Mexico. Monarchs exhibit hyperphagia, feeding intensely before and during migration.

"We are convinced that migration has begun here in Minneapolis, Minnesota," wrote Jennifer Elsen after counting 21 monarchs nectaring in her small prairie garden this week.

People can help monarchs by providing fall nectar sources. We can't just plant milkweed, we have to include nectar plants too.