For the record, it is really weird to see a Monarch nectaring on a cherry tree. For this MD resident, it's like seeing snow in June.

For the record, it's been a really strange year, so don't scoff the idea of snow in June just yet, Jeff. LOL!

Susan

Point taken! We had snow on the ground from mid-December through Mar 1 (little piles by then, but it still counts...)

I'm pretty sure I saw a monarch toady, but it moved into the trees before I could get close enough to verify with certainty. It really couldn't have been anything else.

randy

Randy, hoorah! Will you be able to check your milkweed tomorrow for eggs?

Susan

Um, you do mean THIS year, don't you, Susan? I'm half afraid to say Yay for fear you're talking about last year. Haha. I'm paranoid now...I had to even check the date of your post to make sure this thread wasn't bumped up from last year. lol Now, that I'm sure, I can say HURRAY for the Monarchs! I truly hope that their numbers won't be affected much by the weather this year. Wouldn't it be something if it would be a banner year for them! Your post makes me really happy because when I had first read about the bad weather in Mexico this year, it made me half sick to think that we might not see many Monarchs this year.
Cathy

Thanks for the map Susan. Hoping to see lots of them this year as opposed to only one in 2009. Last year's weather and no-show of the Monarchs did however give me a chance to concentrate on growing more Milkweed so we are ready for the onslaught!! :O)

Hooray!

It's been a strange year, PERIOD!

I released two Monarchs today. I have been busy raising Painted Ladies (Vanessa cardui) and have had success with THEIR mating habits, thank goodness. Now, let's see if I can get the same with the Monarchs this year. ;)

I swear, it sure has been an odd butterfly year. I have had very few Gulf Fritillary butterflies and this is most unusual for me. I hope that the Monarchs are in abundance.

:) CalSherry aka tdogmom

Tiffy, I sure do hope you get lots of butterflies, including Monarchs, this year! I know last year was not very good for our Northern members due to really cold spells occurring. Let's pray that doesn't happen again - no do-overs!

Sherry, some years are bountiful for me with the GFs, and some years I don't see as many either. Last year was a bonus year for them here, but I don't think Sandy saw many, if any at all in the Tulsa area. There's probably only about 100 miles between us, but apparently they just didn't show up in the numbers they normally do.

I am really very happy, in fact, overjoyed, that we are seeing the Monarch numbers reflected in the JN report. Who would have guessed? Now, where were they all hiding in Mexico?

Susan

I finally saw the first monarchs of the season yesterday, 2 of them, and at least one of them was a female as I had over 20 eggs on my newly purchased milkweeds! Brought every single one of them in to raise hopefully to mature butterflies! Gotta help them out after such a harsh winter! My milkweed looks like it is going to come back, finally, so I will have lots of food for them.

Also spotted a lone black swallowtail in the neighborhood. Got lots and lots of fennel for them if they ever decide to come visit the garden.

Happy Butterflying Season to All!

Mechelle

I have begun to wonder if some of the monarchs that overwinter in Mexico might be finding a home in the lower altitudes, where they are more likely to find flowers growing, and maybe the eave of a barn or house to take shelter from the rain. This is only guesswork, I have never been to Mexico to look for evidence. I am happy to hear that the monarchs are flying north. Maybe we will see some in Wisconsin by June.

That is encouraging to hear. I am excited at the prospect of being able to raise some Monarchs this summer. Last year the northeast US had such a cool wet summer, and there were very few Monarchs. I observed them on only 3 brief occasions and never found any eggs or caterpillars on the Milkweed.