January: Cold Fronts Move In
Winter temperatures experienced across much of the US and Canada.
Monarchs Overwinter in Southeastern U.S.
Journey North encourages volunteers to report winter monarch sightings in the Southeastern U.S. from December through March. If you live in Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, and North Carolina, we want to hear from you. Read our instructional flyer and report your observations to Journey North.
Your observational data will be used to assess how the geographic distribution of monarchs might be changing. Are monarchs resting, nectaring, mating, laying eggs, clustering? This information will allow us to better understand what proportion of the winter population of monarchs in the southeastern U.S. are breeding versus wintering in a non-breeding state.
This targeted study is a collaborative effort involving several partners, including the Georgia DNR, Monarch Across Georgia, and the University of Georgia Altizer Lab.
Judy in Pawleys Island, SC shared this report on 01/13/2024: “In 5 years of being a certified monarch waystation, I have never had a caterpillar this late! I’m coastal…We have freezing temps all next week of 22.”
Ellen in Charleston, SC submitted this report: “Despite the unusually cold weather, this larva, along with another, further down the fence line are doing well.” on 01/18/2024.
From the Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve
Estela Romero describes where the monarch colonies are at the El Rosario and Sierra Chincua Sanctuaries. Read how cold temperatures are impacting the area.
More videos have been added to Journey North’s YouTube channel. Enjoy scenes from the Sanctuaries.
Playlist: 2023-2024 Overwintering Season at the Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve, Mexico
