2024 Spring Eastern Monarch Report #1: Spring Migration Is Picking Up

First Arrivals

It's early days still as we welcome spring mixed with winter storms across many regions of the United States and Canada. Keen Journey North observers have been documenting spring monarch migration.

Monarch in NC and VA

In Pleasant Garden, North Carolina, Tony had a similar encounter, marveling at the graceful dance of another solitary monarch. Not far away, in Smithfield, Virginia, Hailey's watchful eye caught sight of a lone monarch fluttering by its delicate wings painting the sky with hints of orange and black. 

From Dallas, Texas to Tulsa, Oklahoma, monarchs are moving across the landscape. 

In Crowley, Texas, Kellie's patience was rewarded with a monarch sighting. Lucky for us, she was able to document her sighting with a photograph. And in Allen, Texas, Anne's excitement was doubled as she spotted not one, but two monarchs, proudly capturing the moment in a photograph to share with fellow Journey North observers. On the border with Oklahoma, Karen captured a monarch nectaring hungrily.  Kim in Sapulpa, Oklahoma and seven days later Terry in Tulsa, Oklahoma saw monarchs. (03/20/2024)

Gulf Coast Volunteers Evidence That Every Garden Counts 

Leigh in Lafayette, LA reported adding "a bunch of nectar plants and native milkweed...to my garden a few days ago and he showed up!" Leigh provided a great photo of the monarch in the backyard garden. At Peveto Audubon Bird Sanctuary, Cameron, Louisiana, Cameron saw a faded male monarch nectaring on dewberry flowers and two monarchs, likely a male and female, one of which nectared on a blanket flower. The weather was cool and overcast with occasional sun. A nearby field of viridis mentioned in the past is now gone. 

Is Milkweed Up? 

There are promising signs of growth of milkweed in time for monarchs. In Cleburne, Texas, Kari's heart warmed at the sight of a weary female monarch, her tired wings carrying her to the few milkweed leaves available. This monarch signaled the beginning of a journey, a journey fueled by the promise of new life.

Journey North observers also reported on milkweed emergence. Opal in Mesquite, Texas, was happy to see milkweed emerge before the arrival of monarchs. In Lubbock, Texas, Ed's camera captured the light green hues of swamp milkweed emerging from the brown earth, while in Lancaster, South Carolina, Kathy's garden became a haven for emerging milkweed, its delicate shoots promising sustenance for the next generation of monarchs.

Farther north on the milkweed trail, Shayne in Dickerson, Maryland, checked their garden and found swamp milkweed just starting to emerge, marking the earliest sighting of the plant this season. 

New Beginnings

Monarch eggs and larvae have been also sighted. 

Virginia in Terrytown, Louisiana, found monarch eggs on Asclepias incarnata, with Asclepias perennis nearby, although no eggs were observed on the latter at the moment. Virginia could not count all the eggs in the garden due to the rainy day. Darlene in Canyon Lake, Texas, watched with wonder as a monarch landed delicately on antelope horns milkweed, laying the foundation for future generations. Chelsea in Killeen, Texas, counted not one, not two, but three monarch eggs on the leaves of Asclepias asperula, a testament to the resilience of these remarkable creatures.

As the monarchs continue their journey north and milkweed continues to emerge and bloom, we are reminded of our role as stewards of this fragile ecosystem, tasked with protecting and preserving for all creatures.