Date: 10/09/2016

Number: 1

Exciting news to share! The Nature Conservancy's Muleshoe Ranch north of Willcox, AZ, tagged a freshly eclosed female monarch, AQ402, on September 20. This female was spotted at Joshua Tree National Park in CA feeding on rabbitbrush on October 9 by Joseph and Donna during a NABA count - the first tagged monarch ever seen since counts began in 1995. AQ402 traveled approximately 369 miles WNW in 19 days or 19 miles/day. California bound, but likely given a lift from SE to NW winds at 1000 ft/elevation, from this unique location straddling the Sonoran and Chihuahuan deserts. Congratulations!

Early movement to the CA overwintering sites!

Courtesy of Southwest Monarch Study

Joshua Tree National Park, CA

Latitude: 33.9 Longitude: -115.9

Observed by:
Contact Observer

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