Tracking Monarchs: Drenching Rains, Floods and Cold Days, Where Are Monarchs Today?
Gail Morris returns to provide updates on the Western monarch population. Estela Romero continues to report from the Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve. Volunteer observations in the US have been few. How might extreme weather events impact monarchs in February? With spring just around the corner, are you seeing milkweed yet in warmer regions of the US?
Monarchs Overwinter in Southeastern U.S.
How have the two cold fronts in the Southeastern US impacted monarchs observed early in January 2024? Have they succumbed to the freezing temperatures? There are only a few new reports in February 2024. These reports indicate that only a few monarchs survived the cold temperatures. Some monarchs appear to be breeding. In Florida, monarch reports continue to be submitted.
Shelby in Universal City, TX: “This one hatched and we have 6 healthy-looking Chrysalis. We found them while trying to get the butterfly garden ready for spring. They survived our freeze in January.” (02/10/2024)
Mary in Corpus Christi, TX: ”We found two larva on our milkweed plants in the backyard this morning.” (02/11/2024)
Virginia in Gretna, LA: “Afternoon sunny nectaring on henbit in the back yard.” (02/10/2024)
Marilyn in Kenner, LA observed more evidence of breeding monarchs. (02/10/2024)
Join Journey North in tracking winter monarch sightings across the Southeastern U.S. from December to March. If you’re in Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, or North Carolina, please report your monarch and milkweed observations. Your data will help assess changes in monarch distribution. Are they resting, nectaring, mating, laying eggs, or clustering? These insights will improve our understanding of monarch wintering behavior, habitat preferences, and breeding activities in the region. This collaborative study includes partners like the Georgia DNR, Monarch Across Georgia, and the University of Georgia Altizer Lab. Check out our flyer for instructions.
From the Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve
Estela Romero provides a snapshot of monarch behavior this week at the Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve. Read more:
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
Western Monarch Population
Letter From Gail Morris:
Gail Morris writes: “It had been a relatively peaceful winter overwintering season on the California coast. Then suddenly monarchs were confronted by fierce winds and pummeling rain last week just as they began to leave the groves. Everyone is wondering how the monarchs fared. Stephanie Tucotte traces their movements at Pacific Grove before the storm hit and how the monarchs fared after the storms. Diana Magor shares the post-storm observations at Lighthouse Fields in Santa Cruz, California.“
2024 Spring Letter #1: Western Monarch Population News From Gail Morris
Please Submit Your Observational Reports
If you are observing monarchs and milkweed, please report to Journey North.
