Monarchs Making Slow Progress

Peak Migration Events

Over the past week, reports are still trickling in from observers seeing larger numbers of migrating monarchs. Hot spots for monarch observations remain clustered along the Gulf Coast states and northern Mexico. Observers are all wondering how weather patterns, from persistent drought conditions in Texas to unseasonably warmer weather in the Midwest, might be impacting monarch migration this fall season. 

Today marks Dia de Muertos yet the Eastern population of monarchs has not yet arrived to overwintering sanctuaries in central Mexico. We eagerly await news of their arrival. Monarchs are increasing at the coastal California overwintering sites as they reach the final leg of their journey.

Ms. Maddie Smith, Arboretum Outreach Specialist, designed a captivating exhibit at the UW-Madison Arboretum, inviting the public to join in the joy of monarch fall migration. Over the past month, hundreds of visitors wrote poems and heartfelt wishes to these majestic butterflies on tiny paper monarchs. With these messages, visitors to the UW-Madison Arboretum, Journey North's administrative home, celebrate the monarch's journey south.