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Monarch UpdateI've been dragging my feet (and my heart) trying to write an update on the 2014 Monarch Migration--the news is so grim. You can find all you need to know online. It is especially important this year that you report any sightings of monarch butterflies (and caterpillars for that matter!). Learner.org is keeping track, so please use this link to make your report: http://www.learner.org/jnorth/
I read this remarkable sighting from Montebello, Quebec: "Three months into the migration, our first Monarch has now reached Quebec, a distance of over 2,500 miles from the overwintering region in Mexico. I saw a big, beautiful female in the milkweed patch in front of the house. I'd been seeing what I hoped were monarchs over the last couple of days but couldn't get close enough to confirm until just now." 6/10/14 Montebollo, Quebec.
Monarchs on milkweed - New Hampshire - August 2012
From Monarch Watch, posted May 19, Dr. Chip Taylor assessed the chances for this year's [2014] population to rebound: "The progression of monarchs northward has been slower than normal due to the cold weather. Monarchs need to arrive north of 40°N in good numbers before the end of May for the population to have any chance of rebounding. If the arrivals are few — or mostly delayed — until the first 10 days of June, the chances that the population will increase this year will be greatly diminished. I'll be watching JN [Journey North] very closely for the next 22 days." May 19, 2014 Here is a link to a recovery plan from Monarch Watch dated May 27, 2014 http://monarchwatch.org/blog/ And here you will read a not very optimistic projection that the Monarch migration well may disappear altogether. Adding to the milkweed problem, more evidence of small-scale logging has been found at the wintering sites: http://phys.org/news/2014-01-monarch-butterflies-migration.html
Comments
Your latest comments regarding the struggle of the monarchs are concise, once again alarming and deeply touching. We can contact our political leaders, environmental groups and "spread the word" to friends and family. But until more individuals are as inquisitive and care as much as you do, nothing can be done. Your thoughts and feelings simply shared through this blog are an example of what one person can do.
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