They've been very active here, no less than ususal for sure. (Not sure if the migratory ones come thru here though? I know the hummingbirds don't.)
Kelly

I think south Florida monarchs are permanent residents, Kelly.
I haven't seen the first monarch, and I made it a point to have MW in the spring for them, since a few usually pass through here at that time of year. I don't know what's up.
Sherry

I have seen a whopping two Monarchs so far. Not good! Fortunately both were leaving eggs in my backyard!

I am also in Houston, and it has been a slow start to the butterfly season, but I am starting to see more and more butterflies. I have personally seen about 6 monarchs, but there have been more since I am finding eggs and cats. I just released 17 monarchs since Sunday and have 6 chrysalids and 20+ cats and eggs.
We had a COLD winter and a very cool spring. I think they are just waiting for the really warm weather that usually greets their arrival.
I am seeing butterflies that normally I don't and that gives me much hope. I saw a red admiral this morning and one of the lady species earlier this week. For the very first time I have spicebush swallowtail cats. I think the season has just been delayed a bit.
Mechelle

My hubby just saw our first monarch of the season in SW Ohio.

WOW. We normally don't get Monarchs until June.

I'm in southern New England. No monarch yet. The milkweed is about 3 inches high. Still time :)

I have yet to see a Monarch here in OKC. There are others that have seen them, though. Just fewer this year than last. We are still having some cool spells here and there, and very cool nights.

Susan

Jeff - that was a really early sighting by my DH. We will get one or two that makes it up here by April but they don't really start showing up in numbers till June or even July. LOL, he just said it looked like it flew in from Mexico as it was flapping it's wings in a weary way. He is very silly.
-Elisabeth

Jeff - that was a really early sighting by my DH. We will get one or two that makes it up here by April but they don't really start showing up in numbers till June or even July. LOL, he just said it looked like it flew in from Mexico as it was flapping it's wings in a weary way. He is very silly.
-Elisabeth

Today I went out to the Oklahoma Centennial Botanical Garden and found Monarch eggs on the wild milkweed. Then when I was leaving, I saw a female Monarch!

I plan to report my findings to Journey North, and Pearl Garrison, who manages the OCBG.

Sandy

I haven't seen any yet but supposedly they've been spotted in Ontario already.

My milkweeds are a foot tall,so there's plenty of food for them.

Haven't seen any monarchs here yet, but the cabbage whites are back and I saw just a couple of assorted others. I have some milkweed about 7 or 8 inches long, and MUCH more still in seedling. We're getting there.

From what I have read on Journey North, the torrential rains in Mexico killed about half of the wintering population. I know here in the winter we do not see Monarchs but they are usually the first species to show up and when I was teaching we would raise them from about late March on. I saw a single one or two this year in March but got no eggs so they must have been males (which is what I was always told were the more permanent residents here in FL). I just assumed the females were more migratory and that is why after they left Mexico we would start getting eggs.

Recently there was an article on Journey North that said due to the small numbers of Monarchs from Mexico that the scientist were able to see two distinct migration paths. They now feel that in the years with greater numbers the migration path joined together over the Alabama, Georgia area to go north. This year they saw the ones from Mexico taking that path but the ones from FL (and if I read the map correctly - some of these came up from Cuba?) stayed more to the east coast and they didn't intermingle. Interesting stuff!

Anyway - I have been seeing 2-3 in my yard this week and I have eggs - but the wasps are out and so if they don't make it I will know why. I have plenty of milkweed for them, lots in bloom, too.

BTW, saw a single Poly this week and have cats now. Saw two GF's doing their thing and for me a rarity - saw a Buckeye on my pool screen. Still waiting for the Sulphurs to show back up and the Eastern Blacks to make an appearance.

I haven't seen any yet. I have been pulling up the common milkweed.
When it gets established, it pops up all over the place. I am leaving
the orange milkweed for the monarch's.

In SW Houston... I've seen two monarchs in the backyard so far. The good news is that I've also saw six monarch catepillars roaming the milkweed about three weeks ago; the bad news is nothing since.

No sign of monarch butterflies here in Madison, Wisconsin, yet. Its just as well, the weather has been anything but tropical. We actually saw sleet mixed with rain on Saturday, May 8th. We have milkweed up, so we are ready when the warm weather finally settles in. I have seen one mourning cloak butterfly, and one tiger swallowtail butterfly, recently.

During our survey today I saw my first monarch. My friend at the arboretum said she saw two there today too! Must have flown in. Mine looked tired as she kept just lying low. Hopefully this is a good sign.
-Elisabeth

That's great news,Elisabeth! I've been checking the milkweeds but haven't found any eggs yet,which usually appear before the adults.I mean I seldom see monarchs before finding their eggs.