Please tap on pictures to enlarge.
Monarch Butterfly egg on Common Milkweed leaf. So small!
Newly formed chrysalis
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Monarch Butterfly Larva
Monarch about to emerged from chrysalis
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What sanctuary do monarchs prefer? Click picture to enlarge.
The monarch population has decreased 26% in 9 colonies out of 14 that had monarchs overwintering in Mexico as compared to 2.83 hectares at 12 colonies last year.
MONARCH BUTTERFLY POPULATION IN THE WEST
JUST REPORTED! The monarch population as been counted for California for 2020. The largest wintering site at Pismo Beach had just 200, yes-200 monarchs, which is down from 6,700 in 2019! Just five years ago, it was 293,000! The whole population of monarchs at 246 sites in California has fallen to just 1,914. Last year it was 29,418 at 243 sites.
In the 1980's, there were around 4.5 million monarchs at the sanctuaries in California.
Although the State of Alaska isn't known for monarch butterflies, one specimen has been collected in Hyder, Alaska. This town is in the southeast corner of the state. See picture of Hyder and map with the red dot.
HYDER, ALASKA
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NEW OVERWINTERING SITES LOCATED!
Citizen Scientists tagging monarchs along the Salt River in Phoenix, Arizona, have observed the same tagged monarchs later in the winter. The total count was just 20, but that was a sample to see if they were tagged elsewhere. More study is still needed to see what the population is at this new overwinter site. Other overwintering sites dicovered the last few years are Virginia Beach, Virginia, and Charleston, South Carolina.
On January 5th, 2021, a tagged monarch was observed in Brookings, Oregon. At first it was thought to be a monarch staying in the area. However, a few days later, a couple of other tagged monarchs were sighted in the same area. Further study will be required to see if another overwintering area has been discovered.
As of July 8th, 2021, there are now 34,848 Waystations across the United States! Michigan is 3rd with 2,572.
My new Monarch Butterfly Waystation #4357, July 15th, 2016. Eighty-four monarchs visited this garden September through October, 2017. Many Honey Bees, too!
Eight monarchs visiting my waystation in late August, 2017.
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Monarch Butterfly on Joe-pye-weed at my waystation in the middle of August, 2018.
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Monarch Butterfly on just blooming Joe-pye-weed in my waystation early August, 2019.
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My Monarch Butterfly Waystation five years later on August 16th, 2020. I decided to plant Joe-pye-weed as the main nectar source for migrating monarchs. Do you see the monarch?
ALYSSA LARA OF ALPENA, MICHIGAN, AGE 8, TAGGED (UCS 810) A MALE MONARCH REARED BY ME IN HARRISVILLE ON AUGUST 30, 2015, AND IT WAS RECOVERED IN EL ROSARIO, MEXICO ON MARCH 6, 2016. THIS BUTTERFLY FLEW 2,173 MILES! THIS IS THE FIRST TAGGED MONARCH TO BE FOUND IN MEXICO FROM HARRISVILLE, MICHIGAN. SEE PICTURE OF THE MOUNTAIN BELOW.
Main migration flyways to Mexico start about August 15th from Harrisville, Michigan.
This is where Alyssa's monarch was found!
Right photograph: A female monarch on the beach at Harrisville State Park November 03, 2011 (48F.) I have also observed one monarch on November 02, 2011 (59F.), one monarch on November 03, 2015 (62F.), two monarchs on November 04, 2015 (68F.), and one male monarch on November 07, 2017 (40F.) seen at right on marigold flower. Monarchs can appear when you least expect it.
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FRANK APSEY OF HARRISVILLE, MICHIGAN, TAGGED (YGN 925) A FEMALE MONARCH NETTED ON THE BEACH AT HARRISVILLE STATE PARK ON AUGUST 18, 2018 (ON HIS WEDDING ANNIVERSARY)!
THE MONARCH WAS RECOVERED AT EL ROSARIO, MEXICO, IN MARCH OF 2019. THIS BUTTERFLY FLEW 2,174 MILES! THIS IS THE SECOND TAGGED MONARCH TO BE FOUND IN MEXICO FROM HARRISVILLE, MICHIGAN, SINCE 2010. SEE MAP BELOW FOR THE LOCATION OF EL ROSARIO.
THE MONARCH WAS RECOVERED AT EL ROSARIO, MEXICO, IN MARCH OF 2019. THIS BUTTERFLY FLEW 2,174 MILES! THIS IS THE SECOND TAGGED MONARCH TO BE FOUND IN MEXICO FROM HARRISVILLE, MICHIGAN, SINCE 2010. SEE MAP BELOW FOR THE LOCATION OF EL ROSARIO.
NEWS FROM THE SANCTURIES
Hanging clusters of monarchs at Cerro Pelon Sanctuary January, 2021. Photo by Pato Moreno. Click picture.
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Casualties at the Cerro Pelon Sanctuary January, 2021. Photo by Pato Moreno. Click picture.
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Monarchs in clusters at the Sierra Chincua Sanctuary. Photo by Estela Romero.
Monarchs on the move from the sanctuaries. Here are some migrating through La Salud. Photo by Estela Romero.
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Monarchs left the Sierra Chincua Sanctuary March 5th, 2021 , heading down the mountain to lower elevations.
The monarchs have departed Sirra Chincua Sanctuary. Those Oyamel trees would be orange in monarchs. Photo by Estela Romero.
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A WAVE OF 30+ MONARCHS HAVE ENTERED TEXAS ON MARCH 11, 2021, ON STRONG SOUTHERLY WINDS. THESE MONARCHS AVERAGED 41 MILES A DAY MIGRATING FROM THE SANCTURARIES IN MEXICO TO TEXAS.
First monarch of the year has been sighted in Michigan on May 2, 2021, at Carson City. Had very faded wings.
First monarch sighted in Harrisville at 12:40 PM, May 21, 2021. Weather Sunny. Wind S-16. Temperature 79F.
First monarch egg discovered in my neighbor's backyard on May 31st, 2021.
First monarch larva sighted on June 23rd at Harrisville State Park at 1:10 PM. It was a 4th Instar, and was discovered by Haley helping me locate monarch caterpillars. By the way Haley, go to www.journeynorth.org. Look for maps and choose 'Monarch Larva (First Sighted).' Then look for Harrisville to read about your sighting!
The 4th generation of monarchs are beginning to emerge on July 25th, 2021.
Eleven monarchs observed on directional flight on July 26th, 2021. This is very early since the old record was one on August 11th, 2015. I started record keeping in 2010. The average directional flight is August 15th.
NOTE: Frank will be on the beach at Harrisville State Park in September counting monarchs heading south to Mexico on Northwest winds on cold fronts from Canada. He may even net and tag one while you look on!
First monarch of the year has been sighted in Michigan on May 2, 2021, at Carson City. Had very faded wings.
First monarch sighted in Harrisville at 12:40 PM, May 21, 2021. Weather Sunny. Wind S-16. Temperature 79F.
First monarch egg discovered in my neighbor's backyard on May 31st, 2021.
First monarch larva sighted on June 23rd at Harrisville State Park at 1:10 PM. It was a 4th Instar, and was discovered by Haley helping me locate monarch caterpillars. By the way Haley, go to www.journeynorth.org. Look for maps and choose 'Monarch Larva (First Sighted).' Then look for Harrisville to read about your sighting!
The 4th generation of monarchs are beginning to emerge on July 25th, 2021.
Eleven monarchs observed on directional flight on July 26th, 2021. This is very early since the old record was one on August 11th, 2015. I started record keeping in 2010. The average directional flight is August 15th.
NOTE: Frank will be on the beach at Harrisville State Park in September counting monarchs heading south to Mexico on Northwest winds on cold fronts from Canada. He may even net and tag one while you look on!
