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This year has seen folks heading outdoors en masse to see the dramatic displays of the wonders of nature. From the Solar Eclipse in April, the May northern lights spectacular, or even the grand cicada emergence 200+ years in the making, there has been a lot to see. One of the more remarkable annual spectacles of nature is about to begin, but it’s also an opportunity to see that it’s in trouble. We at the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service are helping to change that.
Every year, millions of monarchs migrate from Mexico to the U.S. each spring, and back down to warmer climates for winter starting in late August. This 3,000 mile journey is full of uncertainty, and averaging 50 miles a day is quite the accomplishment. What makes this trip such a spectacle is the opportunity to see these colorful voyagers traveling in great waves, numbering hundreds to thousands, timing often dictated by weather conditions and storm activity. The result, the opportunity to see hundreds of monarchs clustered together, covering the trees and the skies in search of food and resting places. When and where to see this astonishing site can be hard to predict, but we have the inside track on a few favorite spots, and you can come too.
Florida
St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge: This refuge is famous being the last rest stop for thousands of migrating monarchs before they brave the open waters of the Gulf of Mexico.
Virginia
Eastern Shore of Virginia National Wildlife Refuge: At the tip of the Delmarva Peninsula between the Atlantic Ocean and Chesapeake Bay, this is one of the best spots in the mid-Atlantic to see monarchs en masse. Best time, early September to October.
Kansas
Quivira National Wildlife Refuge: Monarchs love this refuge, both in spring and fall migrations. It’s the verdant array of wildflowers such as asters and goldenrod that make this a prime spot.
Texas
Balcones Canyonlands National Wildlife Refuge: Not to be missed! In late September/early October, thousands of monarchs pass each day through the prairies and oak savannas of the refuge, offering one of the largest clusters in the country.
Iowa
DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge: This Refuge host monarch tagging events, and is a rare opportunity to get hands on with monarchs.
California
Sonny Bono Salton Sea National Wildlife Refuge: California is a hot spot for monarchs, both migrating and overwintering is select locations. This refuge’s abundant habitat is ideal for monarchs on the move.
Minnesota
Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge: Most commonly a stopover on the northern migration, abundant milkweed and nectar plants make this a popular spring hub.
Unfortunately, these colorful monarchs may face some grey skies ahead. Monarch populations have been declining for the last 20 years. The primary threats to monarchs include loss and degradation of habitat from conversion of grasslands to agriculture, loss in breeding and overwintering sites, exposure to pesticides, and impacts of climate change climate change
Climate change includes both global warming driven by human-induced emissions of greenhouse gases and the resulting large-scale shifts in weather patterns. Though there have been previous periods of climatic change, since the mid-20th century humans have had an unprecedented impact on Earth's climate system and caused change on a global scale.
Learn more about climate change . This host of threats is causing great strains on monarch populations, making the Service’s migration layovers all the more important. This fall, keep your eyes out for monarchs on the move, and visit any of the our hotspots for an experience not to be missed.
