Date: 03/26/1997

Number: 1

I saw first monarch in Paris, AK on Weds. March 26th. Since I was in the field in Arkansas for 12 days, I can confidently say that was the first arrival observed. Monarchs are definitely moving though in small numbers, everywhere from Paris, AK, to Alexandria, LA. Driving between those cities I sighted one monarch every 5-10 minutes. They were almost like the coming through. I kept an eye on their direction; they were flying basically to the northeast. At this time (3/31/97) monarchs are reported in good numbers along the southwest coast of Louisiana (Cameron Parish, south of Lake Charles, La). I haven't heard any thing yet from observers on the oil rigs off shore, in the Gulf of Mexico. I will let you know. We did have a few monarchs overwintering this year, and they were laying eggs all winter. Thus the origin of these spring sightings is always a question.
Dr. Gary Ross, pers. Communication

Paris, AR

Latitude: 35.3 Longitude: -93.7

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