Central Plains: A massive migration across Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Kansas this week resulted in the most spectacular sightings of the season. Sunday was the big day. As a cold front passed from west to east, and the sightings followed in order: Monarchs were entering Erick, Oklahoma, at a rate of 10 per second. An "explosion" of monarchs flew over Canton Lake at 2 pm. Hundreds were flying over Oklahoma City at 6:15. (Special thanks to Linda Schemmer for scouting about her state to document this movement.) Most miraculous was the mile of clustering monarchs discovered on Sunday in a farmer's sunflower field near Erie, Kansas, by Mr. Richard Hines.

• Dr. Taylor explains why this is such a rare event. >>

East Coast: At her monitoring site on the Virginia coast, Denise Gibbs watched monarchs as they struggled to return to shore on Sunday after being blown out to sea on Friday and Saturday by strong northwest winds. "Local watermen told me monarchs had been landing to rest on their boats on Saturday during the afternoon hours," said Denise. Monarchs inspected after the ordeal were lean. Their precious fat reserves had been spent, she suspected.

• Denise Gibbs reports from Virgina, U.S. >>

Northern Mexico: Grab your Spanish/English dictionary because the monarchs have crossed into Mexico! When and where were the first monarchs seen? See what you can find out:

• Correo Real's Rocio Trevino reports from Coahuila, Mexico >>

From the Finish Line in Mexico: Estela Romero is watching and waiting for the first monarchs to arrive. There's no sign of them yet, she reports, but the season is changing. "Soon we will have sunny days--but icy mornings and nights," says Estela. She will send her weekly reports and announce the monarchs' arrival:

• Estela Romero reports from Angangueo, Mexico. >>

Sunflowers like these attracted monarchs to a field in Kansas this week.

Monarchs rested for one night in Springfield, Missouri.
Photo courtesy of Sheri DeMate

Migration Rate Math

As the monarchs funnel toward Mexico, the numbers overhead become greater and greater. Each week we collect sightings so you can compare them.

• This Week's Sightings

Who will see the record flight for fall 2007?