Help
track the monarch butterfly migration each fall and spring as
the butterflies travel to and from Mexico. Report your own observations
of migrating butterflies to this migration map. Welcome to New Participants! >>
Get
Started Background information for tracking monarch
butterfly migration.
The
Monarchs are Now at Their Winter Home in Mexico!
How
many monarchs will make it to Mexico? How large will this
year's overwintering population be? Make your own prediction.
We'll have the actual results when Journey North begins
again in February. Please join us! >>
Enjoy! Stories, activities, videos, pictures, and
slideshows about monarch butterflies, just for students
>>
Explore! Lessons
and information about monarch butterflies for the classroom
>>
Questions
asked
by students and answered by the monarch butterfly expert
>>
Other
Monarch Butterfly News & Projects
Monarch
Try a Monarch Butterfly Challenge Question
>>
The
Monarch Butterfly Life Cycle— images, activities,
video clips and information >>
Read
About Life in Mexico's Monarch Butterfly Santuary Region
>>
Conservation: How
You Can Help Monarch Butterflies >>
News:
Spring 2009 Posted
Thursdays:
Feb. 5, 12, 19, 26, Mar. 5, 12, 19, 26, Apr. 2, 9, 16, 23,
30, May 7, 14, 21, 28, ...and weekly until the migration is
complete!
Welcome
to Journey North's spring monarch migration season!
Winter
>> We begin each year while the monarchs are still
at the overwintering sites, deep in central Mexico. The
monarch’s story of survival during the winter months
in Mexico is as spectacular as their incredible migration.
During the first weeks, we’ll look at the monarch’s
winter habitat and their adaptations for survival. Spring >>
Get ready to track the migration! The monarchs head north
in March. Find out how to report your sightings and track
the migration on real-time migration maps.
News:
Fall 2008 Posted
Thursdays:Aug.
28, Sep. 4, 11, 18, 25, Oct. 2, 9, 16, 23, 30 ....or weekly
until the first monarchs arrive in Mexico!
FINAL
Monarch Butterfly Migration Update: Nov. 4, 2008
Large numbers of monarchs have now reached
Mexico's overwintering region. By November 2nd, the tops of
fifteen trees at the El Rosario sanctuary were covered with
monarchs. How many monarchs will make it to Mexico? How large
will this year's overwintering population be? Make your own
prediction. We'll have the actual results when Journey North
begins again in February. Please join us!
Monarch
Butterfly Migration Update: October 23, 2008
Monarchs appeared sponteneously across the
skies of northern Mexico on Saturday. The states of Coahuila,
Nuevo Leon, Tamaulipas, Zacatecas and even Michoacan and Mexico
reported sightings. Butterflies continue to pour down from
the north and the story of a tagged butterfly shows how quickly
monarchs can travel—over 550 miles within 3 days!
Photo
courtesy of Rocio
Treviño
Monarch
Butterfly Migration Update: October 16, 2008
What a week! Just as the migration is coming to a peak in
Texas the very first monarchs have been reported from the
wintering sites in Mexico. Also
this week, watch an animation of the migration in Texas. Where
do you see the monarchs traveling? Describe the migration
pattern that you see. Next week we'll explore reasons
why the monarchs appear to travel where they
do!
Photo courtesy of Terry Young
Monarch
Butterfly Migration Update: October 9, 2008
The migration pushed southward into Texas in two clear waves
during the past week. The largest roost of the season appeared
when the first wave hit northern Texas, with up to 25,000
monarchs. High-flying monarchs dropped down near the Mexican
border with the second wave. Find out how high monarchs fly
and how high we can see them. We are tracking migration based
on visual observations, so these questions are important!
Monarch
Butterfly Migration Update: October 2, 2008
A cold front moved across Oklahoma on Monday and a clear wave
of monarchs moved with it, advancing perhaps 300 miles. Monarchs
came down to rest Monday night one woman recorded all the
details. Two scientists explain how monarchs migrate with
the wind and they couldn't get to Mexico without it. Also,
we invite people across North America to tell about their
habitat projects for monarchs.
Monarch
Butterfly Migration Update: September 25, 2008
Masses of monarchs traveled along Canada's northern Great
Lakes shores last week. The warm fall weather gave them time
to travel before cold temperatures trap them. Migration along
the Atlantic Coast and the Appalachian Mountains is picking
up, too. Our migration map is beginning to reveal the pathways
monarchs travel on their way to Mexico. What stories do two
tagged monarchs tell about monarch migration?
Monarch
Butterfly Migration Update: September 18, 2008
Hurricane Ike showed how hurricanes destroy human property
and lives this week. In what ways could such a powerful storm
affect the monarch population? In addition to the hurricane,
monarchs were avoiding something else this week, can you find
the clues? Also, a tagged monarch was found! What do its travels
tell you?
Monarch
Butterfly Migration Update: September 11, 2008
Look at the migration map and you can plainly see, the monarchs
are heading toward Mexico! They are entering Nebraska and
Kansas in large numbers now, and people in Iowa are reporting
peak conditions. Attention all monarch observers:
When you report your monarch sightings, tell us how
many monarchs you saw per minute (or per hour). Here's why...
>>
Monarch
Butterfly Migration Update: September 4, 2008
Monarchs
rested last week in Minnesota, Michigan, Wisconsin, and Iowa
during their long migration to Mexico. With over 1,000 miles
left to fly they formed large roosts and waited for winds
to carry them southward. Only 12 roosts have been reported
this fall compared to more than 80 last year at this time.
Are these true signs of a small population? Will this winter's
population in Mexico will be smaller than last year's too?
Also: Can you identify a monarch
butterfly?
Monarch
Butterfly Migration Update: August 28, 2008
The migration to Mexico is underway! Please help track the
monarch's journey. Watch for monarchs that are flying, resting
and refueling. But where are the monarchs? Last fall, 45 overnight
roosts had been reported compared to only 3 so far this year.
Meet a slow-growing monarch this week and explore climate
connections. Teachers: Get started with a guided tour for
using Journey North in your classroom.
Welcome
and Orientation Beginning August 28th, weekly FALL
MIGRATION UPDATES will be posted here every Thursday,
from September to November. (See schedule above.) Get
ready to track the migration to Mexico. Find out how to
report your sightings and track the migration on real-time
migration maps. >>
News:
Spring 2008 Posted
Thursdays:
Feb. 7, 14, 21, 28, Mar. 6, 13, 20, 27, Apr. 3, 10, 17,
24, May 1, 8, 15, 22, 29...and weekly until the migration
is complete!
Monarch
Butterfly Migration Update: June 12, 2008
Weather conditions caused sweltering heat but let massive
numbers of monarchs move into MA, NH, VT, ME, ON and PQ:
"Nous
avons vu notre premier monarque aujourd'hui," came the
news from Quebec City near latitude 47N. Students at Davis
Elementary in Bedford, MA, saw their first monarch when CBS
News Boston came to visit. Take a look!
Monarch
Butterfly Migration Update: June 5, 2008
At last! The chilly, wet weather that has slowed the migration
all month finally gave way at the end of last week. Warm,
moist air moved northward and the monarchs moved with it.
The migration has now expanded to latitude 47 N and as far
east as Nova Scotia. week. Photo:
Wayne Kryduba
Monarch
Butterfly Migration Update: May 29, 2008
Brrrr....After another cold week in the north the migration
still seems to be stalled at about latitude 45N in the central
region and 42N in the east. This week, watch a monarch hatch
from its egg. What questions does this miraculous monarch
raise? Send us your list! We'll try to answer them next week.
Monarch
Butterfly Migration Update: May 22, 2008
They are few and far between, but monarchs have now reached
latitude 45 north. Cool
temperatures are slowing the migration northward. When the
pattern breaks on Saturday south winds should bring warm air—and
monarchs—northward. Let's see! This week, come on a
photo safari and see if you can find the milkweed that's hiding
in these pictures.
Monarch
Butterfly Migration Update: May 15, 2008
The first monarch was spotted in Canada on May 8th this spring,
the very same day as last year's first sighting. The big surge
in numbers we have been predicting should occur any day. Let
us know what you see! Meanwhile, explore the connections between
milkweed and monarchs and enjoy a field trip to the milkweed
patch in this week's slideshow.
Monarch
Butterfly Migration Update: May 8, 2008
Monarch butterflies and ruby-throated hummingbirds both eat
nectar and are both crossing eastern North America right now.
Why do you suppose hummingbirds can travel north more quickly?
Also look closely at two monarch larvae and compare them.
Find out what causes the differences that you see.
Monarch
Butterfly Migration Update: May 1, 2008
As you can plainly see, the migration map has hardly changed
during the past week. Its leading edge still hovers at latitude
40N where it was last week, and only a handful of sightings
were reported. Can you figure out why? Also, people have
been amazed and delighted this spring by the monarch's amazing
ability to find milkweed, even the tiniest plants. What
senses do monarchs have, and how do they use them to find
milkweed? Photo: Jim Conner
Monarch
Butterfly Migration Update: April 24, 2008
What a week! According to observers, the monarchs moved
into six new states and a most remarkable sighting was reported
from Sioux Falls, South Dakota. If the butterfly came from
Mexico it would have flown over 1,600 miles! Do you think
this is a reliable sighting? Also this week, take a close
look at the amazing legs monarch larvae have. How do their
special legs help monarchs survive?
Monarch
Butterfly Migration Update: April 17, 2008
Last week's final blast of winter stopped the monarchs in
their tracks. Look how little the migration map changed
in the Central Plains, where most of the monarch population
is poised to move northward. The big news this week is that
new butterflies of the next generation are now being born
in Texas! These young butterflies will join the migration
and continue the journey north in place of their parents.
Monarch
Butterfly Migration Update: April 10, 2008
Look how far east the monarchs have gone and how little
they have moved to the north! Measure from a central point
in Texas you'll find they've flown 1,000 miles to the east
and only 500 miles to the north. What causes this pattern?
Other news: new butterflies of the next generation are about
to be born, so make room on your migration map! Also, this
week's monarch photo is a mystery. Any idea what it is?
Photo: Dr. Lincoln Brower
Monarch
Butterfly Migration Update: April 3, 2008
March 27th was the week's big migration day. Scientists
who monitor weather and insect migration watch for conditions
like these.Take a look at wind and weather maps for the
day. If you're waiting to see your first monarch? This week's
migration map questions are for you! And don't miss Answers
from the Expert, Monarch biologist Dr. Karen Oberhauser.
Monarch
Butterfly Migration Update: March 27, 2008
It looked like fall migration along the Texas Gulf coast late
last week there were so many monarchs! But the 'stop and start'
nature of monarch migration is evident when you play this
week's animated migration map. How
closely do monarchs follow after milkweed becomes available
in the spring? Dr. Brower explains why that's an important
question. This week's photo is a monarch egg. Describe it!
Monarch
Butterfly Migration Update: March 20, 2008
The first monarchs have arrived in Texas— and the first
eggs of the next generation are being laid. Learn how to use
our migration map in a scavenger hunt to answer questions.
Also, predict where the migration move during the next month.
Spring migration is underway!
Monarch
Butterfly Migration Update: March 13, 2008
The monarchs are on their way! Dr. Bill Calvert reported last
night from Angangueo after watching monarchs stream out of
the Rosario colony in massive numbers. Then came the news
from the state of Querétaro, 60 miles north. The journey
north is underway! Also this week, alarming news about deforestation
in the monarch region. Find out how students helped scientists
collect the strongest evidence yet that the monarch forest
in Mexico needs stronger protection.
Monarch
Butterfly Migration Update: March 6, 2008
It's
March! The days are getting longer, the air drier, and temperatures
are rising in the monarch colonies in Mexico. "Within
the month—a relatively short time—these butterflies
will vacate their winter haunt and begin the recolonization
of North America."
How did milkweed the monarchs ate last fall help them survive
the winter in Mexico? Find two important ways in today's
update. Photo by Don Davis
Monarch
Butterfly Migration Update: February 28, 2008
Two important signs of spring were noted during the past
week at the over-wintering sites in Mexico. The monarchs
are moving down the mountains, and mating is increasing.
Last fall, classrooms sent over $11,000 to Mexico for monarch
conservation. Two stories this week are about the work the
students' donations are supporting. The goal of both projects
is to take pressure off the forest by helping local people
find new ways to live and work.
Monarch
Butterfly Migration Update: February 21, 2008
The monarch's story is one of nature's greatest survival
stories. Yet competition with people over use of the forest
is the greatest challenge the monarchs face in Mexico. Today
we'll explore uses of wood by families who live in the region.
Meet children who live in the region and and see how their
simple rural lifestyle compares to your own.
Monarch
Butterfly Migration Update: February 14, 2008
Dr. Lincoln Brower sends news about his research trip to
Mexico. He shares his hypothesis about how monarchs benefit
from clustering on the trunks of trees. Why do monarch butterflies
come together by the millions and form colonies the way
they do? Take a look and think it through. Photo:
Dr. Lincoln Brower, Sweet Briar College
Monarch
Butterfly Migration Update: February 7, 2008
Welcome to Journey North's spring's migration season! It's
been three months since the first monarchs reached their
winter home in Mexico after their long, fall migration.
How many monarchs are in Mexico this winter? Find out why
scientists count butterfly trees instead of butterflies
to answer that important conservation question. Photo:
Dr. Lincoln Brower, Sweet Briar College
Welcome
to Journey North's spring monarch migration season!
Winter
>> We begin each year while the monarchs are still
at the overwintering sites, deep in central Mexico. The
monarch’s story of survival during the winter months
in Mexico is as spectacular as their incredible migration.
During the first weeks, we’ll look at the monarch’s
winter habitat and their adaptations for survival. Spring >>
Get ready to track the migration! The monarchs head north
in March. Find out how to report your sightings and track
the migration on real-time migration maps.
