Monarchs spread across the West
Monarchs are now covering the entire West, soaring all the way into Washington and settling into milkweed thickets to breed and lay their eggs. Community scientist reports are hopeful as a new generation of monarchs covers the land. Ideal temperatures in the 80s and precipitation will help milkweed flourish, supporting an expansion of the monarch population over the next month until the fall migration grows near.
Recent Sightings
July began with monarchs sighted in new states as they moved into the summer breeding grounds. Here is a sample of their reports.
Dona found her first monarch sighting in a cherry tree in Fernley, Nevada, on July 4 resting in a cherry tree.
James spotted his first monarch on July 8 in Layton, Utah. Meanwhile, Greg found his first monarch of the season on July 10 in New Plymouth, Idaho, writing, “Just a single that flew through the yard, over the shop and was gone heading north. I have showy milkweed, some still in bloom but it didn’t stay around.”
On July 13, Nancy’s first monarch sighting in Los Ranchos De Albuquerque, New Mexico, was a surprise! “We rarely see monarchs. However, yesterday late afternoon, we spotted a male monarch nectaring on newly blooming liatris! He was a big boy, and his wings were in great shape!”
Reports from the Field
Where are monarchs in the West? Everywhere! Here is a snapshot of their activity. During the breeding season in summer, we always assume monarchs are in the upper half of the West. However, studies show that a surprising number of the overwintering monarchs are from California.
Susie Vanderlip, Orange County, California
"Everyone is reporting an EXPLOSION of monarch eggs, caterpillars, chrysalids, and newborns! I've had 10 times as many late May through today as I’ve had in at least 5 years! The last three years, I’d get five to seven chrysalids in late May, and then I’d get maybe five more in June. Last year, all propagation ground to a halt by mid-June for many people reporting in my Facebook group of 1,600 members.
"This year is entirely different! I have about 20 chrysalids and finding more caterpillars daily. Many people on Facebook from Simi Valley to San Diego are just inundated! We are all going out and buying more milkweed because our existing plants are bare! Many people are reporting having 30 to 50 chrysalids right now! It’s really extraordinary. And I have three to four monarchs flying about my garden daily. That, too, is extraordinary, as I live in a townhome with a reasonable-sized patio, but not a large yard. Every time I turn over a leaf, it seems to have an egg or a baby cat on it!
"Given the extremely low overwintering count for 2024, this is exciting and baffling. Where were they this past winter?"
Michele Felix-Derbarmdiker, Riverside, California
“We are having our best year ever at our monarch breeding and foraging habitat in Riverside. We conducted a survey this morning and had over two dozen adults visit us, along with spotting eggs and caterpillars of all instar levels!”
Kristy Brauch, Pasadena, California
“We are in full breeding cycles here and things are looking much better than last year with many adults, multiple females laying at all sites AND some wild observations as well in remote areas on Hopper Mountain National Wildlife Refuge as well as out in Owens Valley.”
Sharon Marmaduke, Camp Verde, Arizona
While the lower elevation deserts are too hot for successful monarch breeding this time of year, monarchs instead fly to the higher elevations and mountains of Arizona to find milkweed thickets to lay their eggs. We always look forward to hearing where they appear.
Exciting news from Sharon in Camp Verde: “Male monarch feeding on zinnias and butterfly bush on July 11, 2025, at about 1 p.m. in my garden. Extremely hot and humid (about 104 degrees). This is the earliest summertime sighting I have ever observed. He appeared for only a few minutes and then flew on. Looked very 'fresh.'
"Another monarch sighting [July 14]: 7 p.m., 93 degrees, winds from south at 7 miles per hour.
“This monarch was flying erratically around my garden without landing to feed. It landed briefly on some Gregg's mistflower. I actually had gone outside to check out a portion of a rainbow we saw in some monsoon clouds, and was surprised to see this monarch zooming around my gardens. The wind was blowing, and it was very hot and humid. No other butterflies were around. This is the only time I saw it land on anything, and then only for seconds, not really feeding. Lots of milkweed around, but it was not landing on any.”
Sad News from Natural Bridges State Park, Santa Cruz, California
Robert Pacelli sent photos of a recent fire at the monarch sanctuary at Natural Bridges State Park in Santa Cruz, California in late June, writing, "Someone dug a fire pit, and the wind was very strong and almost set the visitor center roof on fire. It jumped the parking lot into the top of the sanctuary.”
KRON4 reported (via Yahoo News) that the wildfire was sparked by an 'unauthorized cooking fire,' according to Santa Cruz Fire Department Battalion Chief Josh Coleman. Arson was ruled out, and the wildfire was determined to be accidental.
Eucalyptus tree groves in the park serve are a critical resting place for monarch butterflies during their fall migration. During last year's Western Monarch Count, Lighthouse Field State Park and Natural Bridges State Park in Santa Cruz County had the most monarchs, with about 1,400 each.
KRON4 continued: "When the first firefighters arrived at the scene Thursday afternoon, the wildfire was burning a 100-foot area of grass and eucalyptus trees. Flames were 'moving at a rapid rate of spread,' SCFD said."
Another small fire was located, and both were contained by 4:30 p.m., according to reports.
Wanted: Monarch and milkweed sightings
Seeing monarchs? Your sightings help us present a balanced and accurate report of where monarchs are appearing each week. Report adult monarchs, eggs, and larvae to Journey North. 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.
The International Monarch Monitoring Blitz begins July 16!
Mark your calendars! The International Monarch Monitoring Blitz returns for its ninth edition, from July 25 to Aug. 3. This annual event invites individuals and organizations across Canada, Mexico, and the United States to participate in a trinational effort to collect data on monarch butterflies and milkweed plants.
Organized by 10 partner organizations across North America, the Blitz encourages everyone to contribute to monarch butterfly conservation, and all you have to do is report your monarch and milkweed sightings through the same Journey North process you normally do!
Between July 25 and Aug. 3, head outside to look for milkweed plants and monarch butterflies in any life stage—egg, caterpillar, chrysalis, or adult. Document your observations and report them to Journey North, and we'll take care of the rest.
Data collected during the Blitz will be published in the Trinational Monarch Knowledge Network, a repository of information available for anyone to consult and download. This snapshot of monarch and milkweed distribution helps scientists better understand how to protect and conserve one of North America’s most iconic species.
We can't wait to see all of your observations.
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 participates in several Western monarch 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
