Eastern Monarch Population Fall 2023 News Update: Report #6
Monarchs Making Slow Progress
Peak Migration Events
Over the past week, reports are still trickling in from observers seeing larger numbers of migrating monarchs. Hot spots for monarch observations remain clustered along the Gulf Coast states and northern Mexico. Observers are all wondering how weather patterns, from persistent drought conditions in Texas to unseasonably warmer weather in the Midwest, might be impacting monarch migration this fall season.
Susan in Austin, TX: “Saw 3 Monarchs at once in our front yard in Central Austin today. Have been seeing about one to three a day for the past several weeks, but the majority of the migration passed our latitude west of Austin this year, probably mostly due to the exceptional drought in Central Texas causing little in the way of native plant blossoming. Rains this week have helped bring back some native blooms for the Monarchs still on their way.” (10/28/2023)
Brian in the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) in the Gulf of Mexico: “Working Green Canyon 468. Drill ship deep water Asgard. While outside I noticed this guy taking a break. Been working offshore 26 years. First monarch ever 95 miles out of Port Fourchon, La.” (10/17/2023)
German in Joya Verde, TAM: “Reported a peak monarch migration event. Seeing about 80 monarchs flying per hour. Most alone flying fast. Few Couples flying together. Sunny day no winds. Site at 1,400msnm (above sea level). Started 15:10hrs CT MX. Ended 16:10hrs CT MX.” (10/27/2023)
More Roosts in Texas and the Northeastern States of Coahuilain and Nuevo León, Mexico
Marie in Mason, TX: “Monarchs roosted for three nights in clusters of an estimated 300 individuals. On October 30th they were gone.” (10/27/2023-10/29/2023)
Correo Real volunteer in Saltillo, COA: A roost of 197 monarchs were observed by Leticia Jiménez and reported to Journey North by Correo Real/PROFAUNA A.C. (10/19/2023)
Correo Real volunteer in Gral Zaragoza, NLE: A roost of 200 monarchs were observed by Brianda Soto and reported to Journey North by Correo Real/PROFAUNA A.C. (10/29/2023)
Jennifer in Pass Christian, MS: “We found several small clusters of [about 50] Monarchs roosting in the trees just north of the beach late this afternoon It was windy with a light rain and cool temps. We estimate between 50 and 100 individuals.” (10/31/2023)
