The life cycle of the monarch butterfly is truly one of the most fascinating of any of our native wildlife. 

In a typical year there are four generations of monarch butterflies hatched.  The first three generations, born in the spring and summer months, live on average just 2-6 weeks.  But the fourth generation- born in late summer and fall- is unique.  All fourth generation monarchs east of the Rocky Mountains fly over 2,000 miles southward to spend the winter hibernating in the oyamel fir forests in the mountains of Mexico.  That's a pretty incredible journey for a creature weighing less than one gram! 

Unfortunately, as is true with too many other species, monarch populations are at risk.  The biggest threats to monarchs are the use of pesticides in agricultural operations and the clear-cutting of the forests that comprise their winter habitat.  There are a number of organizations around the country tracking monarch migration and current population trends; you can find lots of information via a web search.

The peak migration period for monarchs in our region is mid- to late-September.  Keep an eye out for migrating monarchs over the next couple of weeks and be sure to wish them well on their incredible journey.