Monarch Butterfly Migration Update: February 3, 2006 Today's Report Includes:
Welcome to Journey North's Spring Monarch Migration Season! We watched in awe last fall as our familiar backyard butterflies flew all the way to Mexico. Monarchs traveled by the millions to a tiny region on the planet where they’ve been since November. We begin Journey North each year in February, while the monarchs are still at their over-wintering sites, deep in central Mexico. Welcome back!
First: Surviving the Winter The monarch's story of survival during the winter months in Mexico is as spectacular as its migration. "It’s all about staying alive, day to day,” says monarch biologist Dr. Karen Oberhauser. During the coming weeks, we’ll take a close look at the monarch’s unique winter habitat, explore the challenges the monarchs face and how the they manage to survive.
Dr. Brower: How Does Climate Affect Monarchs? “Just back from a very successful research trip to the monarch sites,” began Dr. Lincoln Brower. With his note came words and images from his recent experience. Dr. Brower describes himself as “a student and admirer of the monarch.” He probably knows more about monarch butterflies than anyone else in the world! Butterfly research has been the focus of Dr. Brower's life since 1958. He is now studying how climate affects monarch butterfly survival in Mexico. What are his research questions? What methods will he use to answer them? You can read more about Dr. Brower and his research: A Picture Says a Thousand Words: What Do Two Pictures Say? Here are two photos taken during Dr. Brower’s trip. His colleague Dr. Linda Fink, and her student Jennifer Wiley, are at the monarch butterfly sanctuary called, "Sierra Chincua." Notice exactly when the pictures were taken:
Visiting a Monarch Sanctuary with Dr. Lincoln Brower
Why Should We Care About Monarchs? Dr. Brower Needs Your Help “Do you think students could help me?” Dr. Brower asked the other day. He went on to explain that he needs help from persuasive writers:
What do YOU think? Please send us your ideas and we’ll forward them to Dr. Brower.
The Next Monarch Migration Update Will Be Posted on February 10, 2006
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