The Fall Migration of the Monarch Starts This Month
During August, the monarch super generation will emerge and start their migratory journey south.
By mid-month, the first members of the migratory generation will emerge in the north. These butterflies are the great-great-grandchildren of the monarchs that left Mexico last spring. They have a long and challenging life ahead: they will migrate to Mexico this fall, survive the winter, and return in spring 2022 to begin the breeding season anew.
Monarch numbers reach their peak by fall migration. At no other time of year is the population larger. Monarchs produce four generations during the typical breeding season and the population grows with each new generation.
PLEASE Report All Sightings
When you see a monarch, Journey North https://journeynorth.org/ wants to know. Please report your observations of monarch adults, eggs, and larvae. Start now — and continue to report until you see your last monarchs of the season. Fall migration is about to begin!
What to report
Adult Monarchs
Report all monarchs that you see, even if you don't know whether they are migrating. Report as long as monarchs are present, even into the winter months.
Report all monarchs that you see, even if you don't know whether they are migrating. Report as long as monarchs are present, even into the winter months.
Peak Migration
Report peak migration events. Try to count monarchs regularly so you compare one day to the next and identify the peak. Don't hesitate to report an event as "peak" if you believe it is. We review all sightings and will contact you with questions.
Report peak migration events. Try to count monarchs regularly so you compare one day to the next and identify the peak. Don't hesitate to report an event as "peak" if you believe it is. We review all sightings and will contact you with questions.
Roosting Monarchs
Report night-time roosts. Migrating monarchs cluster together at night, typically in trees. A roost may have a handful of butterflies or far too many to count.
Report night-time roosts. Migrating monarchs cluster together at night, typically in trees. A roost may have a handful of butterflies or far too many to count.
Breeding Monarchs
Report monarch eggs or larvae. These indicate when and where monarchs are breeding in the fall.
Report monarch eggs or larvae. These indicate when and where monarchs are breeding in the fall.
Report Your Sightings
All sightings are included on Journey North's real-time maps. Citizen scientists are making an important contribution to our understanding of monarchs and migration.
All sightings are included on Journey North's real-time maps. Citizen scientists are making an important contribution to our understanding of monarchs and migration.