The massive departure of our exceptional Monarch butterflies keeps on day by day.
Spectacular moments occur at each colony for our local and international visitors, especially at El Rosario Sanctuary, where the traditional massive concentration of population awakens immense awe and devotion to one of the most extraordinary natural phenomena that humankind could witness.
Large, wonderful green nectar sources and strong winds during the entire weekend, will be taken advantage of by the amazing creatures to let themselves go northwards.
“The density in population this season has been an extraordinary rebound in population, only below seasons 2018, 2019, and 2020 when we had unprecedented numbers for many years,” local guides from El Rosario Sanctuary confirm to visitors, reassuring tourists’ impressions.
Feelings of amazement mix with concern and melancholy at this anticipated departure, showing us that climate change is bringing a real challenge to migratory species.
Estela Romero
Journey North
Angangueo, Michoacán, México.
La salida masiva de nuestras excepcionales Mariposas Monarcas se mantiene día con día.
Ocurren momentos espectaculares día con día para nuestros visitantes nacionales y extranjeros, no se diga en el Santuario el Rosario donde la tradicional concentración masiva de población despierta un inmenso asombro y devoción ante una de los más extraordinarios fenómenos naturales que la especie humana pudiéramos atestiguar.
Largas y maravillosas extensiones verdes de néctar y viento intenso durante el fin de semana habrán de aprovecharse por las increíbles criaturas para dejarse ir hacia el norte.
“La densidad de población esta temporada ha sido una extraordinaria recuperación en población, solo por debajo de las temporadas 2018, 2019 y 2020 cuando tuvimos números sin precedentes desde hacía años” comentan los guías de El Rosario confirmando la impresión de asombro de los visitantes.
El asombro pero también la preocupación se mezclan con la malancolía de ésta anticipada partida que nos deja ver como el cambio climático trae un verdadero reto a las especies migratorias animales en general.
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.
Monarchs reaching Texas will encounter drought conditions
By Jacob Swanson, Journey North program coordinator
Once they reach the United States, monarchs will likely encounter significant drought conditions, unless things change in the near future.
The latest map from the U.S. Drought Monitor, released on Feb. 26, shows "extreme drought" in southern Texas, with the rest of the state in "severe" or "moderate" drought, or characterized as "abnormally dry."
The Southeast, also gripped by drought, will likely receive some of the heaviest precipitation over the next five days, the Drought Monitor reported, but the Southwest, from California to the High Plains, looks set to receive dry, record-setting heat.
Throughout the winter, we've received consistent monarch reports from Texas and Florida, as well as a few from other states like Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and Georgia, so there are some monarchs surviving the dry conditions. In short order, they'll be joined by millions of monarchs making their way north from Mexico.
Thank you to everyone who reported their observations throughout the winter. When you see your first monarch this spring, don't forget to report it to Journey North!