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
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.
GOOD NEWS FOR 2021!
Pismo Beach is reporting that 8,000 monarchs were counted on October 20th, 2021. Also, Pacific Grove is reporting that 1,300 monarchs were counted on October 16th. 2021. Last year, none were counted. Altogether, 10,000 monarchs have been counted at over 200 preserves this October.
UPDATE: AS OF NOVEMBER 4TH, 26,000 MONARCHS HAVE BEEN COUNTED AT THE SANCTURARIES!
AS OF NOVEMBER 10TH, 35,000. AS OF NOVEMBER 17TH, 50,000+.
GOOD NEWS FOR 2021!
Pismo Beach is reporting that 8,000 monarchs were counted on October 20th, 2021. Also, Pacific Grove is reporting that 1,300 monarchs were counted on October 16th. 2021. Last year, none were counted. Altogether, 10,000 monarchs have been counted at over 200 preserves this October.
UPDATE: AS OF NOVEMBER 4TH, 26,000 MONARCHS HAVE BEEN COUNTED AT THE SANCTURARIES!
AS OF NOVEMBER 10TH, 35,000. AS OF NOVEMBER 17TH, 50,000+.
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 August 4th, 2021, there are now 35,768 Waystations across the United States! Michigan is 3rd with 2,662.
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
Autumn Migration, 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! Note: Frank tagged 19 monarchs in the Harrisville area (ACWM-400-418). Two were tagged on the beach.
Finally, the monarchs came in four small waves migrating south down the Lake Huron beach at Harrisville State Park on September 24-27. A total of 244 were counted (169, 54,14, 7). This is low for a migration, but not bad after 2 1/2 days of rain and drizzle with the temperatures in the 50's. Although the weather has been 100% sunshine with the temperatures in the low 60's, no monarchs have been counted on the 28th to the 30th. The low temperature at night has been 47, 41, and 36 degrees F. The first monarchs were seen entering Mexico on September 29th, 2021. They have another 300 miles to go to arrive at the sanctuaries. Will more monarchs be counted around Harrisville in October and November?
October 01 One observed.
October 03 One observed and tagged (ACWM-419).
October 04 One observed.
October 11 One observed.
October 14 Five observed and four tagged (ACWM-420 to 423).
October 15 One observed.
October 18 Two observed.
October 19 Eight observed.
October 20 Two observed.
October 23 Snow flakes fell from 5:07 to 5:14 PM. Temperature was 44F.
October 24 One observed. Light frost at 8 AM. Temperature topped out at 50F.
Total monarchs: 23
November 01 One observed and tagged (ACWM-424). Low temperature was 33 degrees. High was 48F.
November 07 Last monarch observed in Michigan at Rockwood. Low temperature was 39. High was 65F.
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! Note: Frank tagged 19 monarchs in the Harrisville area (ACWM-400-418). Two were tagged on the beach.
Finally, the monarchs came in four small waves migrating south down the Lake Huron beach at Harrisville State Park on September 24-27. A total of 244 were counted (169, 54,14, 7). This is low for a migration, but not bad after 2 1/2 days of rain and drizzle with the temperatures in the 50's. Although the weather has been 100% sunshine with the temperatures in the low 60's, no monarchs have been counted on the 28th to the 30th. The low temperature at night has been 47, 41, and 36 degrees F. The first monarchs were seen entering Mexico on September 29th, 2021. They have another 300 miles to go to arrive at the sanctuaries. Will more monarchs be counted around Harrisville in October and November?
October 01 One observed.
October 03 One observed and tagged (ACWM-419).
October 04 One observed.
October 11 One observed.
October 14 Five observed and four tagged (ACWM-420 to 423).
October 15 One observed.
October 18 Two observed.
October 19 Eight observed.
October 20 Two observed.
October 23 Snow flakes fell from 5:07 to 5:14 PM. Temperature was 44F.
October 24 One observed. Light frost at 8 AM. Temperature topped out at 50F.
Total monarchs: 23
November 01 One observed and tagged (ACWM-424). Low temperature was 33 degrees. High was 48F.
November 07 Last monarch observed in Michigan at Rockwood. Low temperature was 39. High was 65F.
Monarchs are arriving at 1:05 PM, October 30th, 2021, at Cerro Pelon Sanctuary in Mexico. Temperature had a low of 42 degrees with the high at 72F. Photographs by Pato Moreno.
Monarchs arriving.
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Monarchs forming the first colony.
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