Volunteers helping to track monarch butterfly migration and milkweed phenology across North America. 

Spring migration has begun. Help us track monarch migration and milkweed emergence. Read through our protocols and then submit your observational reports.

Spring Reporting Protocols — “First” Migrating Monarch Observations 

1. Report Monarch Adult (FIRST sighted)

• What: Did you see your first migrating monarch of the spring season? First arrivals of monarchs to their breeding range occur from February to June, depending on your location. Let us know when you see your first adult migrating monarch. Report number of monarchs observed at a single location.
• Comments: What behaviors did you observe, such as flying, nectaring upon what flower species, mating, basking in shade or sun?
• Frequency: Once per spring season. Only one first spring observation is accepted for an individual observer reporting from a single location.
• Photos: Always welcome. Photos provide a voucher for observational reports.

2. Report Milkweed (FIRST sighted)

• What: Did you see a newly emerged milkweed? Observations of first milkweed emergence occur from February to June, depending on your location.
• Comments: If known, please report (1) the species milkweed, (2) the height of the emergent plant (emergent: 2-5 inches; leaves present: 5 inches; a few flowers present with budding just starting; fruiting with pods present; leaves yellowing). Also, please let us know the size of the milkweed patch (few – 1-15 stems; denser patch – 15-50 stems; abundant patch – 50-100 stems; very abundant – 100+ stems). Frequency: Once per spring season. Only one first spring observation is accepted for an individual observer reporting from a single location.
• Photos: Always welcome. Photos provide a voucher for observational reports.

3. Report Monarch Egg (FIRST sighted) and/or Monarch Larva (FIRST sighted)

• What: Did you see your first monarch egg and/or larvae for the spring season?
• Comments: If known, please report species of milkweed you observed the egg(s) and/or larvae on.
• Frequency: Once per spring season. Only one first spring observation is accepted for an individual observer reporting from a single location.
• Photos: Always welcome. Photos provide a voucher for observational reports.

Spring Reporting Protocols — After Your “First” Migrating Monarch Observations 

4. Report Monarch Adult Sighted

• What: Where are monarchs? Report all monarch adults after reporting your first observation of a migrating monarch. Report number of monarchs observed at a single location.
• Comments: What behaviors did you observe, such as flying, nectaring (and upon what flower species), mating, basking in shade or sun?
• Frequency: Report once a week when monarchs are present. Occasional reporting welcome.
• Photos: Always welcome. Photos provide a voucher for observational reports.

5. Report Monarch Egg Sighted and/or Monarch Larva Sighted

• What: Is breeding happening? Report the presence of monarch egg(s).
• Frequency: Report once a week when monarch eggs are present. It is difficult to track individual eggs and larvae. Daily counts of eggs and larvae are not necessary. Noting presence of monarch egg(s) is sufficient. If you want to count monarch egg(s), please count once during the week, and submit one report with the totals counted that day. Occasional reporting welcome.
• Comments: If known, please report species of milkweed you observed the egg(s) and/or larvae on?
• Photos: Always welcome. Photos provide a voucher for observational reports.

6. Report Monarch Other Observations

• What: Observations of interesting behaviors including mating, laying eggs, nectaring (please let us know flowering plant species if known), basking in the sun, chrysalis, and deceased monarchs.
• Frequency: Report once a week. Occasional reporting welcome.
• Photos: Always welcome. Photos provide a voucher for observational reports.

7. Report Milkweed Sighted

• What: Where are milkweed plants? Report milkweed presence across the landscape.
• Comments: If known, please report (1) the species milkweed, (2) the height of the emergent plant (emergent: 2-5 inches; leaves present: 5 inches; a few flowers present with budding just starting; fruiting with pods present; leaves yellowing). Also, please let us know the size of the milkweed patch (few – 1-15 stems; denser patch – 15-50 stems; abundant patch – 50-100 stems; very abundant – 100+ stems). Frequency: Report once a week. Occasional reporting welcome.
• Photos: Always welcome. Photos provide a voucher for observational reports.

Subscription Information: Migration News

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Thank you!