BRRRR! It's a frigid Winter!

Happy December! One of my favorite sources is the US Forest Service https://www.fs.usda.gov/wildflowers/pollinators/Monarch_Butterfly/migration/index.shtml

Sharing another tracker that I love: https://www.monarchmilkweedmapper.org/

The screenshot below is taken from the website and is mostly done through crowdsourcing! The submissions below is what is displayed on this map:

Milkweed Sightings: 42281

• Monarch Sightings: 21696

• Monarch Breeding Sightings: 4839

• Total Sightings: 63977

 Monarch butterflies embark on remarkable migratory patterns every winter- these delicate pollinators undertake one of the most astonishing journeys in the animal kingdom—a two-way migration spanning thousands of miles.

Monarchs in North America are divided into two populations: eastern and western. Both groups embark on annual migrations to escape the cold winters of northern climates, but their destinations differ.

• Eastern Monarchs: This population travels to the Sierra Madre Mountains in Mexico, where they overwinter in 11 to 12 mountain areas within the oyamel fir forests of Michoacán and Mexico States. These forests provide an ideal microclimate for monarchs, offering cool temperatures and protection from harsh weather.

• Western Monarchs: Western monarchs migrate to coastal California, where they roost in eucalyptus, Monterey cypress, and pine trees.

  
  

The eastern population’s overwintering grounds in Mexico’s oyamel fir forests are particularly critical. These sanctuaries protect monarchs from freezing temperatures and allow them to cluster together for warmth and conservation of energy.

A Journey of Endurance

Monarchs are the only butterfly species known to make a two-way migration, using environmental cues such as temperature and daylight to guide them to head south for the winter and return north in the spring.

Remarkably, monarchs can travel between 50-100 miles a day, with some covering up to 3,000 miles in total. They utilize air currents and thermals to conserve energy, soaring gracefully across vast landscapes.

Recent Updates: A Hopeful Trend

Encouraging news comes from the Pacific Northwest, where monarch butterfly sightings during their spring migration have increased compared to last year. Locations like Central Oregon, La Pine, and Redmond have reported more frequent sightings, signaling a possible rebound for these fragile creatures. Monarch caterpillars have also been spotted thriving at the Clearwater Native Plant Nursery. (which is promising for the future)

I wonder why it has increased? I wonder if the human race being more cognizant about creating butterfly gardens, has helped with the increase of butterfly sightings.

The monarch migration is an ecological marvel, but these butterflies face numerous threats, including habitat loss, pesticide use, and climate change. It is estimated that only a fraction of the millions of monarchs that begin the journey survive to reach their overwintering destinations in Mexico or California. Mortality rates can be high, but conservation efforts are crucial in improving these odds and sustaining their populations.

I'm interested in what the past migration statistics will reveal and how they will affect the coming spring and summer.