They're Off! Flying, Resting, and Refueling
Welcome to Journey South's fall migration season! The monarchs are on their way to Mexico and excitement is in the air. We hope you'll report your sightings. Watch for monarchs that are flying in "directional flight," resting at overnight roosts, or refueling at flowers in fields, gardens, or roadsides.

• Here's how to watch for fall migration >>

First Few Roosts Finally Reported
Where are the monarchs? By this time last fall 45 overnight roosts had been reported and the first was August 5th. That compares to only 3 roosts so far this fall and not a single one was reported until August 23rd:

"I'd guess the last few days have been the leading edge of the migration," wrote Tom Murphy from his farm in Cannon Falls, Minnesota, where monarchs always stop to rest and refuel. On Saturday he estimated there were 500 butterflies roosting in his trees. By Tuesday night monarch numbers had climbed to 1,000. "It might be shaping up to be a better year here than I thought," he noted with relief.

Is This Year Unusual?
The map to the right compares fall 2007 to fall 2008 and shows a striking contrast. Are monarch roosts unusually scarce this year or were they unusually abundant last year? Or, could the migration just be a little late? Look at other fall seasons for perspective:

• Count how many roosts were reported in past seasons by visiting the permanent database.

More Migration Sightings from Citizen Scientists
Here are first-hand reports from people who witnessed migration this week. Notice what these observers counted, measured or compared over time:

• Explore this week's Migration Sightings from Citizen Scientists

• Symbolic Migration: You're Invited to Send a Symbolic Monarch to Mexico!
• Journey North for Kids: Monarch Butterfly Resources for Children
• Collecting Data: How to Monitor Fall Migration
• Observing Fall Habitat: How is Monarch Butterfly Habitat Changing?
• Encouraging Inquiry-based Research: Categorizing Questions
• More: Monarch lessons and teaching ideas

Monarch Butterfly Migration Updates Will be Posted on THURSDAYS: Aug. 28, Sep. 4, 11, 18, 25, Oct. 2, 9, 16, 23, 30, Nov. 6...or until the monarchs reach Mexico!

The Next Monarch Migration Update Will Be Posted on September 4, 2008.

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