Monarch Migration Counts
MONARCH BUTTERFLY, 2020
Monarch Butterfly Spring Observations In And Around The Town of Harrisville.
Date Counted
April 24-30 0
May 01-07 0
May 08-14 0
May 15-21 0
May 22-31 8
Total: 08
Monarch Butterfly Summer Observations In And Around The Town of Harrisville.
Date Counted
June 01-07 19
June 08-14 0 ...Tropic Depression Cristobal...
June 15-21 9
June 22-30 2
(Numbers are going down as the 2nd generation expires and the 3rd generation emerges).
July 01-07 39
July 08-14 65
July 15 to July 28 0 (I don't want to duplicate counting the recent monarchs that have emerged in and around Harrisville. I will continue with the count on August 15 or sooner when I see the first directional flight of the fourth generation heading to Mexico).
July 29 to July 31 0 (The 3rd generation of monarchs are quickly expiring).
August 01-07 2 (A very bright orange female monarch was observed on August 2nd followed by a very bright orange male on August 7. The 4th generation may now be emerging from their chrysalides. No directional flights as yet. I will now count all bright orange monarchs until the end of fall).
August 08-13 28 (Migration started on August 14th with 4 monarchs in directional flight).
Total: 164 (Total Spring and Summer - 172).
Monarch Butterfly Fall Observations In And Around The Town Of Harrisville.
(Updated to the end of November 04)
Date Counted Tagged
August 14-20 99 0
August 21-31 361 0
September 01-07 413 3
September 08-14 71 10
September 15-21 69 5
September 22-30 38 2
October 01-07 26 0
October 08-14 14 4
October 15-21 0 0 ...Below Average Temperatures...
October 22-28
October 29-November 04 ____ ____
Total: 1,091 24
Total Spring & Summer: 172 0
Total for the year 2020: 1,263 24
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.
MONARCH BUTTERFLY POPULATION IN THE WEST
The numbers are in for the 2019 western monarch count. There was a slight increase to 29,418 from the 27,218 counted in 2018. This is still far below the 2 million mark in the 1980's.
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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As of July 15th, 2020, there are now over 29,000 Waystations across the United States!
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.
Sanctuary Guardian Emilio Velazquez spotted 13 monarchs flying high overhead at Cerro Pelon Preserve from 1:35-2:05 PM on October 23, 2020. These are the first arrivals at the Central Mexican overwintering grounds. See map above for the location of the sanctuary.
