Hummingbird and Butterfly Gardening: 2013 Monarch Migration, 1 by AmandaEsq

AmandaEsq wrote:
For those of us who rear butterfly caterpillars, August marks the beginning of the Monarch migration south from its northern ranges.

We know that the numbers in the overwintering population this past season in Mexico dropped precipitously. We also know that successive seasons of long, cool, wet spring in some parts of the country and drought in others threaten the migratory population further. Statistically speaking, four in ten migratory Monarchs may return to the overwintering grounds in 2013*. The situation is dire.

From a conservation perspective, all we can do is watch and wait for them to appear in our yards and at our Waystations**.

Please share your observations of first sightings this season, if any, historic information on sightings in your area, and any other relevant information that may assist fellow DG butterfly gardeners to measure their expectations for fall migration.

I typically see my first in April and expect to see them return in mid to late August. So far this year I haven't seen any.

Thanks for any information you might provide.

~Amanda in Greensboro

* http://m.theglobeandmail.com/technology/science/why-monarch-...

** http://www.monarchwatch.org/waystations/