From Mexico to Middle America
Endings and beginnings continue for the monarch populations. Monarchs that left their overwintering sanctuaries in search of milkweed, nectar, and water are giving way to new generations emerging. Read more in this week's news updates, and please submit your observations to Journey North.
Photo: Diana Magor in Santa Cruz, CA
(04/06/2023)
Eastern Monarch Population
People are still seeing the monarchs that are migrating from Mexico, but the overlapping generations are beginning to emerge. Generation 1 monarchs are the offspring of the monarchs who overwintered in Mexico. Each successive generation travels farther north. It will take 3 - 4 generations to reach the northern United States and Canada.
Eastern Monarch Spring 2023 Report #3
In the Central Flyway, Oklahoma continues to be a hot spot, with movement north toward Kansas and Missouri (latitude 38°N). Meanwhile on the east coast, the leading edge of monarchs is still focused on the Carolinas, as well as the Virginias.
Western Monarch Population
Letter from Gail Morris: Western Monarch Spring 2023 Report #7
Gail Morris writes: “After a hopeful swell in the overwintering population, monarchs are now in a race to reach the summer breeding grounds before their migration stalls, just a short time away. Winter storms likely battered the monarch numbers, but there is still hope for migrating adults to move through the area. Yet looking at the Journey North maps, you can see little movement inland with reported first sightings and few repeat sightings even in the lower desert regions of California and Arizona.”
Read more of Gail Morris’ Letter: Western Monarch Spring 2023 Report #7»
Please Submit Your Observational Reports
April is Citizen Science Month. Help us to celebrate by reporting to Journey North. Don’t forget to submit your photographs, too!
