Monarch Butterflies
Migration Update: March 23, 2007
Please Report
Your Sightings! >>

Today's Report Includes:

Look Who's Traveling Too! >>

The Migration: Maps, Questions and Highlights

Distribution Map >>

Real-time Map >>

Map Questions >>

  • Map: Animated Map (Week-by-week slideshow) >>
  • Map: Printer Friendly Version >>
  • Sightings: Recent Sightings (for Classroom Mapping) >>
  • Sightings: All Sightings >>
Highlights

Monarchs Enter Two New States
The leading edge of the migration moved into two news states during the last week. It's time to add Louisiana and Arkansas to your list. Play the animated map back and forth between this week and last. What changes do you notice? Which direction(s) has the migration moved so far — north east west?

GONE from the Colonies!
Dr. Lincoln Brower sent the word on Saturday, March 18: "My colleagues in Mexico called from Angangueo tonight and told me that the monarchs have all left the Sierra Chincua colony (except for those clustering on two trees), and have all left the Cerro Pelon colony (but those clustering on 10 trees)." So, while our map shows the leading edge of the migration, it's peak migration now across northern Mexico.

Scientists Following Monarchs Across Mexico
 Little is known about the route monarchs travel so this year two Mexican scientists are following the monarchs north. Dr. Brower explains the importance of the study:

"We hope to find the migratory path and see what species of flowers the butterflies are nectaring on along their route to Texas. We also want to know whether they are seeking water holes along the way," he said. (Here's the latest >>)
Slideshow: Look Who's Traveling Too!

The very same week that monarch butterflies arrive in Texas each spring, one of North America's favorite birds also appears on the scene. The first Ruby-throated hummingbirds arrive during the first week of March, just as the monarchs do. Although one is a bird and the other a butterfly, they are heading north for the same reasons. What can we learn by comparing their migrations? Let's see what one migration makes you wonder about the other!

Slideshow >>

Journal: What Can You Learn from a Hummingbird?

Look at the slideshow again. As you compare the migrations of the monarchs and hummingbirds make a list:

  • How many news questions about monarch butterflies can you list?
Links: This Week's Monarch Resources
  • Predicting: Predicting the Route of the Spring Migration >>
  • Resource Map: The United States of Mexico >>
  • Lesson: Life Cycle Sleuth: Students Develop Theories About Migration >>
  • Mapping—Key Lessons & Resources: Making, Reading and Interpreting Maps >>
  • Monarchs for Kids (booklets, photos, videos) >>
More Monarch Lessons and Teaching Ideas!

The Next Monarch Migration Update Will Be Posted on March 30, 2007.

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