When will the monarchs arrive?

When will the monarchs be back?

By Jacob Swanson, Journey North

While wind chill temperatures have been as low as -20°F in Madison, Wisconsin, in the past few days, that's not stopping us from thinking about the monarchs' return north this spring. We're less than 10 days from the start of March, when the monarchs' annual northern movement starts again.

Last year, March brought us the first sightings from states like Missouri, Arkansas, Tennessee and Oklahoma, with monarchs reaching Iowa, Illinois, Wisconsin and Michigan, among others, by the end of April. Some people, like residents of our most northeastern states, will likely have to wait until May. 

If you're like us, you're already thinking about seeing your first monarch of the spring. Check out the map at the top of the page for last year's first sighting from your state or head to Journey North's interactive maps to zoom in closer on your area. The date monarchs first reach your state may not be the same as when they reach your part of the state. For example, last year's first sighting in Minnesota was on May 4 in Bloomington, just south of the Twin Cities, but the first sighting in Duluth didn't come until May 18, two weeks later.

And we didn't forget about Canada, either. Our first reports last year were received in Ontario on April 15, Saskatchewan on May 12, Quebec on May 24, New Brunswick on May 25, Manitoba on May 29, Nova Scotia on May 30 and Prince Edward Island on July 13. 

When you see your first monarch of the spring, or if you're seeing them now in southern states, let us know by submitting your observations to Journey North. We can't wait to hear all of your updates again this year.

Western Monarch Update

By Gail Morris, Southwest Monarch Study coordinator

While monarchs have already dispersed from some overwintering sites along the California coast, many monarchs are still concentrated in the Santa Cruz region. Santa Cruz has been the “monarch hub” this winter with the largest density of monarchs all season. 

With the low overwintering population, many people are questioning what is happening in Southern California with their resident monarch population to feed into the spring migration, so we turned to both locations to bookend this week’s update.

Reports from the field

Diana Magor, Santa Cruz, California

Our survey on Feb. 7 resulted in a total count of 588 monarchs, 575 of which were in several clusters under the branches of Monterey Cypress tree 7. As Liana Crabtree put it, “Tree 7 was the place to be!”

The remaining 13 were on an adjacent tree 6. Both trees are inside the grove protected from heavy winds with gusts in the 40-mile-per-hour range, rain and cold night temperatures of around 40°F. Any monarchs on the outer trees on the south side of the grove had moved inside pending the heavy rain and strong winds we experienced the previous two days.

Shortly after the rain stopped at 10:45 a.m. (temperature 53°), the sun came out and quickly warmed the area including some of the clusters at 11:30, and many monarchs, beginning with two females, started moving back to sun themselves on the south-facing cypress trees 14 and 15 at the south edge of the grove. Several others flew down to the ground and began imbibing water from the Oxalis and grasses in the open areas of the reserve. Attempted matings were observed, one successful, another a case of mistaken identity (two males who quickly broke up). There were still several females at the grove.

Susie Vanderlip, Orange, California

What is happening in southern California? Susie Vanderlip in Orange, California reached out to find out. 

It's time to report! It is important we get some anecdotal information on where and how active resident monarchs have been this fall thru winter in southern California, especially with the extremely low overwintering count.

She asked for people to report, “approximately how many monarchs eclosed in your habitat/garden from December through now.” While the reports are anecdotal, they provide a snapshot of monarch activity that may be feeding into the spring migration soon.

Responses from Feb. 3 to Feb. 7

Oceanside: 4!

Huntington Beach: 0

Mission Viejo: 0

Lakewood: 21

East Venice - Zero, zero, zero. Milkweed stems are just starting to show new growth emerging. Somehow there are already aphids, tho we've had only one rain storm, it has been quite cold and damp the past few months.

Carlsbad: 0

Mission Viejo: 0

Orange: 0

Lemon Grove: Our monarchs haven't stopped. I see them in all stages. The nicer weather has kept my narrowleaf from going dormant as well. The only ones that went dormant are those in more shade where the sun has a different path right now so they don't get as much.

Rialto: At least 10 chrysalis, five successful eclosures, two eclosed but died, all in December

Porter Ranch: 0

Riverside County: Two sightings, over 30 eggs laid, none hatched

Simi Valley: 0

Costa Mesa: 0

Redondo Beach: 0. Haven’t seen any monarchs in my yard in a few months. Can’t remember the last time. It was last year for sure. I see them on my walk in Hermosa Beach along the greenbelt though as they overwinter in the pine trees there. They don’t have any milkweed planted though so nothing going on in that regard.

Thank you to Diana Magor and Susie Vanderlip for their reports.

Wanted: Monarch Sightings

Winter monarch reports are important wherever you live! Please send in your sightings to help us present a balanced report of where monarchs are appearing each week. Report adult monarchs, eggs, or larvae to Journey North weekly. Your detailed description of what you see can include, but is not limited to, the monarch’s gender and activity. If known, include the type of flowers if they are nectaring or milkweed type if laying eggs. Photos are encouraged and welcomed with all your reports.

Gail Morris is the coordinator of the Southwest Monarch Study (www.swmonarchs.org). She is also a Monarch Watch conservation specialist, the vice president of the Central Arizona Butterfly Association and sits in several western working groups. The Western Monarch News is based on comments provided to Gail Morris. We hope to increase the number of sightings and therefore photos and comments entered into Journey North. We rely on the volunteers who communicate regularly with Gail and who agree to participate in our effort to increase awareness of the population of western Monarchs. You can reach her at gail@swmonarchs.org.

Monarchs in Mexico

By Estela Romero, for Journey North

Climate conditions for Sierra Chincua and El Rosario Sanctuary remain moderately to densely cloudy with a chilly sensation in spite of intermittent sunbeams every other minute throughout the day. Other than this, climate conditions remain stable in the season.

This should help monarchs prolong their overwintering phase, with fresh and healthy green around and excellent blooming as their ideal complement. Perishing is now abundant, but within normal levels according to this time in the season.

Mating seems to be getting started as one single male-male couple let themselves be seen today, but no more mating was observed the whole morning.

The Sierra Chincua colony has moved substantially further northwest now (19.6729228 -100.2948087) and keeps its singular beauty.

El Rosario is now under rather very cloudy, chilly, even somewhat humid conditions, changing its distribution pattern at its exact same location as last week.

All in all, extraordinarily mild winter conditions favor monarchs overwintering phase and delay their preparations for departure rather than bringing them forward as it used to happen in the last few seasons.

Estela Romero
Journey North
Angangueo, Michoacán, México

Estela Romero is an environmental educator with Monarchs Across Georgia. Reporting from Angangueo, Michoacán, Estela Romero's work is made possible by funding from Monarchs Across Georgia and the Monarch Butterfly Fund. Estela Romero es educadora ambiental de Monarchs Across Georgia. Informando desde Angangueo, Michoacán, el trabajo de Estela Romero es posible gracias a la financiación de Monarchs Across Georgia y el Monarch Butterfly Fund.