|
Monarch
Migration Update: April 24, 2009
|
Please
Report
Your Sightings! |
|
|
Today's Report Includes:
|
A Butterfly
is Born >> |
The Migration: Highlights,
Maps, and Questions |
|
Migration
Highlights |
Eighteen
U.S. States Now Have Monarchs from Mexico
The migration has now moved into 18 states, with Missouri, Kentucky,
Illinois, and even Virginia and Pennsyvania joining the
list this week. At latitude 40 North, the Pennsylvania sighting
is the northernmost to date:
"I'm
just as shocked as you probably are! Very warm sunny day, I saw
a very tattered monarch (couldn't tell if it was male or female),
flying across a large grassy field in a park just north of West
Chester, PA. It was heading north, skimming above the ground,
a few inches to a foot or two...the kind of behavior that would
suggest a female looking for milkweed. But the milkweed isn't
even up yet (not that I've seen, anyway, and I've been checking
a few known, established patches)."
How
Far Do the Monarchs From Mexico Fly?
Most
likely, the migration
map now shows how far the monarchs from Mexico will migrate
this spring. Most monarchs of the generation from Mexico do not
migrate beyond latitude 35N. We must wait for their offspring —
the next generation — to join the migration in place of their
parents. Watch for a lull in the number of sightings during the
next few weeks. When and where do you predict people will see the
first new adult monarchs with their fresh, colorful wings? |
Photo:
Diane Kixmiller
Dwarfed
by a wiffle golf ball, tiny milkweed shoots emerged last week in
Kansas City. Will a monarch find this milkweed?
|
|
Journal:
Celebrating Earth Day, Monarchs, and Renewal >> |
We
celebrate our Earth's power of renewal on Earth Day. For monarchs, the
need for renewal is especially clear at this time of year. The number
of adult monarch butterflies is at its lowest; at no other time of year
are there so few butterflies. Most of the monarchs from Mexico have now
reached the end of their lives and we are waiting for a new generation.
Exactly where on Earth is habitat most important for monarchs in the early
spring? Look at the pieces of this state-by-state
pie chart of monarch sightings to see. |
Slideshow:
How Does the Monarch Get Out of the Chrysalis? >> |
A
monarch seems to comes out of its chrysalis the way a flower bursts from
a bud. This everyday miracle will take place millions and millions of
times in the coming months, perhaps in your own backyard. But how does
the monarch get out? Use your powers of observation to explore that question
with this series of time-lapse photos.
Slideshow
>> |
|
Journal:
How Can a Camera Help a Scientist Learn? |
Some
things happen too quickly for our eyes to see, too slowly for our
senses to catch — or take too long for our patience to endure.
A camera can freeze a moment, magnify a detail, turn hours into seconds,
and store memories forever. Because observation is the first step
in the scientific process, a camera can be an important tool for a
scientist. You'll appreciate why when you try this: |
|
-
Describe your favorite image in today's slideshow
and then try to draw it. Exchange your work with
a friend and see if you can find one another's favorite image.
In your journal, explain what made your drawing and description
difficult to do. How does a camera help a scientist make good
observations?
|
|
Year-end
Evaluation: Please Share Your Thoughts! >> |
Will
you take a few minutes to complete our Year-end
Evaluation?
With your
help, we can we document Journey North's reach, impact and value. We need
comments like yours to keep the program going and growing.
Thank you!
>> |
Year-end
Evaluation |
Links:
Monarch Butterfly Resources to Explore |
|
|
The
Next Monarch Migration Update Will Be Posted on April 30, 2009.
|