Monarch sightings pick up in Texas after departure from Mexico
Monarchs have mostly left Mexico by now, which means they're on their way north. The first stop on the way to the rest of the eastern United States and Canada is in Texas, where sightings have increased recently.
Over the past week, we've received reports from across Texas, including in Houston, Galveston, San Antonio and more. On March 5, Cheryl reported a monarch flying along the coast of South Padre Island. A little bit up the coast in Matagorda, Texas, Kathi reported three monarchs holding on against the wind in Canary Island date palms.
Northwest of Houston, in Montgomery, Kathy reported several "firsts" of the year on March 8, writing, "This female monarch searched diligently in our front yard and nearby pasture for milkweed plants, but it seems this was the only one to be found in this area (Asclepias viridis). She laid 12 eggs on this milkweed sprout over time, coming back to do so between wide-ranging searches. The eggs were laid on the leaves and up and down the stem. It was a day of firsts for me: first monarch sighted, first milkweed seen, and first monarch egg found. A lovely day to see the monarchs come back!"
While many monarchs have crossed the border into the United States, there are still monarchs to be seen in the Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve, as well as along the migration route.
"Since February 28th, I've been observing monarch butterflies in flight heading north. I've made a few trips through the pirul and mesquite groves," Cristina Bernal wrote on March 10 to the Correo Real program, which submitted the report to Journey North. "In recent days, I've observed only a few perches, with a maximum of 3 to 5 butterflies. Today, I took a trip where I observed several perches with 10 to 20 butterflies."
Some reports have also come in from the West. On March 8, Della wrote from Phoenix, Arizona, "A male monarch appeared at approximately 3:20pm, flying in great circles around the house and finally settling on the ironwood, south side in the sun. In good condition. The AZ Milkweed (A. angustifolia), Subulata and Tuberosa are about one week away from blooming (my guess). No caterpillars seen yet. No radio tag detected."
Estela Romero also continues to see monarchs hanging around at overwintering sites in Mexico.
Estela's update from Mexico
Monarchs’ flight behavior while departing might be described as an energetic but harmonious, delicate but decisive, one-way direction, perfectly synchronized dance; a unique experience as they parade by the hundreds non-stop as soon as mornings warm up and before four in the afternoon. Mixed feelings of nostalgia invade us locals, but also great hope as the season draws to its end amidst enthusiasm at the considerable increase in population this year.
El Rosario colony has again moved only a few meters further north (19.5962925 -100.2630809) at “Las Arenitas” site, still looking gorgeous with its remaining population despite the massive departure a couple of weeks ago.
Scarce mating seems to prevail even this late in the season, different from previous years at this time.
Temperatures in the region stay around 24°C, but might reach 26°C at the intense sun.
Some occasional gusts of rather cool wind blowing northwards during the day shall be ideal for our spectacular migrating monarchs to glide high up in the sky as they merge into their fantastic journey back north.
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El vuelo de las Monarcas podría describirse como un baile enérgico pero armonioso, delicado pero decisivo, en una sola dirección y perfectamente sincronizado mientras la vemos partir; una experiencia única mientras avanzan por cientos sin parar en cuanto las mañanas calientan y antes de las cuatro de la tarde. Nos invade a todos un sentimiento de nostalgia, pero también una gran esperanza, pues la temporada se acerca al final en medio del entusiasmo ante el considerable incremento de la población este año.
La colonia El Rosario se ha movido tan solo unos cuantos metros hacia el norte nuevamente en el sitio “Las Arenitas” (19.5962925 -100.2630809) apreciándose aún maravillosa en cuanto a su población todavía restante a pesar de la salida masiva desde hace dos semanas.
Persiste el apareamiento escaso a pesar de lo tarde en la temporada, diferente a lo que hemos visto en años anteriores.
Las temperaturas en la región se mantienen alrededor de 24, pero podrían tender a acercarse a los 26 Celcious.
Algunas rachas ocasionales de viento más bien frío soplando hacia el norte durante el día deben resultar ideales para nuestras espectaculares monarcas migrantes para volar alto y sumergirse en su fantástico viaje de regreso al norte.
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.
