Recent reports from Southern California show monarchs are on the move. Spot one in your yard? Share your reports with photos. Check out the latest sightings and a mysterious late-tagged monarch in Gail Morris' article.
First Arrivals
It's early days still as we welcome spring mixed with winter storms across many regions of the United States and Canada. Keen Journey North observers have been documenting spring monarch migration.
Dear Journey North Readers,
Migration is picking up, but it is slow. More species are showing up, but only a few individuals of each. In Texas and Louisiana, more White-eyed Vireos and Common Yellowthroats arrived, along with some more Ruby-throated Hummingbirds and the first Black-throated-green Warbler. In Georgia, the first Red-eyed Vireo, Ovenbird, Baltimore Oriole, and Great Crested Flycatcher were seen, and over the past week, I have seen a couple of Louisiana Waterthrushes, Blue-gray Gnatcatchers, and Northern Rough-winged Swallows.
Get ready for spring migration! Early arrivals were spotted in the southern US, but northward progress has been delayed by weather. Time to brush up on bird ID skills while we wait for migration to pick up speed!
Reports along the California coast are decreasing as monarchs begin their annual spring migration. Ms. Morris notes that recent sightings of monarchs were mainly concentrated in Southern California, Las Vegas, and the greater Phoenix, Arizona area over the last two weeks. Stephanie Turcotte shares her final reflection on the overwintering season, noting the enduring charm of monarchs beyond the official count.
Nuestras queridas mariposas Monarca han dicho adiós a sus sitios de hibernación, emprendiendo su épico viaje hacia el norte.
Our beloved Monarch butterflies have bid farewell to their hibernation sites, embarking on their epic journey northward!
Spring is here. Gail Morris calls for more reporting of your monarch and milkweed observations to Journey North. Also included in this article is an update on monarch numbers at coastal California sanctuaries.
En vísperas de la migración primaveral, Estela Romero ofrece noticias de los santuarios de El Rosario y Sierra Chincua.