Here They Come!
Mass departure from Mexico occurred this week and 1st arrivals were reported across Texas and beyond. Spring migration is officially underway!
Departure From the Sanctuaries
Mass departure has finally occurred. Monarchs are now heading northward by the millions after a slow and gradual start to the spring migration season.
“As I drove up the mountains around noon time, the hurried flying of hundreds and hundreds of monarchs streaming down from El Rosario and flying north was not to believe!” wrote Estela on March 19th. Read more…
Dr. David Mota-Sanchez is based at Michigan State. He has been monitoring departure from Sierra Chincua’s Koala site with his team at the sanctuary. On March 21st he noted:
“By this afternoon more than 99% of the biggest colony located in Koala at Sierra Chincua had migrated.” Read more…
Flying Northward
On March 21st, Ellen Sharp encountered a cloud of monarchs flying straight north on the highway near the Piedra Herrada Sanctuary:
“…we ran smack dab into a cloud of migrating monarchs. We slowed down, put on our blinkers, and started counting: we spotted at least 100 butterflies between 10:11 and 10:16 am. While some were flying high, others darted dangerously low across the road way.” Read more…
Entering and Crossing Texas
It has been an amazing week for the monarchs! The migration’s leading edge entered and crossed Texas. The northernmost butterflies have already reached Oklahoma. Strong and steady south winds across the region carried the monarchs swiftly. After a slow start they are now making up for lost time.
Where and when will monarchs travel to find what they need this spring?
