Monarch butterflies extend across 1500 miles of North America as migrating butterflies leave Ontario Canada while others have crossed the U.S. — Mexico border. The western subpopulation is moving through the Pacific states and over 6,000 have arrived in California’s overwintering sites.
The leading edge of the migrating eastern population is less than 400 miles from the Mexican overwintering sites. Journey North’s migration map documents the most recent sightings as reports are sent in. Peak migration numbers are reported in Texas.
“There are hundreds and hundreds of monarchs migrating over Guadalupe River State Park right this minute. They are feeding on cowpen daisy and it is just unreal! In monarch heaven!!!!!”
Monarchs are still nectaring and preparing to leave the northern reaches of their summer homes near Ontario. This is a late exit date from the north, presumably due to the unusually warm temperatures in the 70’s.
The nectar plant availability is diminishing in the north and these butterflies have over a thousand miles to travel before reaching southern states where flowers remain longer in fall. Nectar plants in Texas trammeled by Hurricane Harvey have had time to resprout and flower before the migratory butterflies arrived.
[Monarch Watch has] funding in place for distribution of another 100,000 milkweed plugs in 2018, and we are always looking for more funding. Planning begins now. We are currently accepting applications for Spring 2018. The link to the free milkweed information page and application is provided below. Please apply, or share the link with all who might be interested in large scale (two plus acres) milkweed plantings on both private and public lands.
The Daily Bucket is a nature refuge. We amicably discuss animals, weather, climate, soil, plants, waters and note life’s patterns spinning around us.
We invite you to note what you are seeing around you in your own part of the world, and to share your observations in the comments below.
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In late September, monarchs had already arrived in Southern California.
Here is the complete text caption for the above map.
Two more tag recoveries to report: one today, the other tomorrow. B6679, a female Monarch reared and released by Akimi King of the FWS in Klamath Falls, Oregon on September 3, was found 19 days later (Sep 22) by Cathy Fletcher in her Milkweed garden in Santa Barbara, CA! A distance of 545 miles or nearly 29 miles a day! However, what is truly remarkable about this recovery is the fact that Ms B6679 upon reaching sunny southern California decided to break reproductive dormancy and begin laying eggs! In fact that’s how Cathy spotted her...laying eggs on the milkweed plants she was carrying in her garden!
This is the first record of a PNW migrant Monarch becoming reproductive when it reached southern California. Our current knowledge dictates that PNW migrants form overwintering colonies in CA and remain non-breeding until Feb-Mar. Clearly Ms B6679 did not get that memo and it understates yet again how adaptable Monarchs are. Ms B6679 has traded celibacy, relative dormancy and a 6 month life for sex and babies and a 6 week life.
A male Monarch tagged and released from Ashland Oregon on September 11 was found on October 3 in Santa Cruz, CA at Natural Bridges State Park. Another monarch tagged August 31 in Yakima WA flew 674 miles and was spotted at Lighthouse Field (Santa Cruz) on October 9.
I saw one monarch butterfly this summer at my house, nectaring on lantana flowers. A few days later deer ate the lantana and Salvia even though these plants are “supposed” to be deer-safe.
SPOTLIGHT ON GREEN NEWS & VIEWS POSTS EVERY SATURDAY AND WEDNESDAY AFTERNOONS (PACIFIC TIME) ON THE DAILY KOS FRONT PAGE. BE SURE TO LOOK FOR THE STORIES YOU MISSED. RECOMMEND AND COMMENT TO THANK METEOR BLADES FOR HIS DEDICATED CURATION.
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Have you seen any monarchs this year?