Monarchs headed East?

[Mango]

The winds brought a lot more monarchs in today flying along the dunes. But they were heading East? If they are going to Mexico, wonder why they would head in that direction? Wouldn't it be easier to fly towards Texas gulf? Did they hear about the new airport or are they confused and going to Mexico Beach instead?

 

[seacrestkristi]

I saw one in Tennessee all by herself. Maybe she's taking her time. I just googled these.

 

[kathydwells]

The winds brought a lot more monarchs in today flying along the dunes. But they were heading East? If they are going to Mexico, wonder why they would head in that direction? Wouldn't it be easier to fly towards Texas gulf? Did they hear about the new airport or are they confused and going to Mexico Beach instead?

You so funny!!!!!!

 

[seacrestkristi]

You are so funny!!! :funn:I bet it was going to Mexico Beach.

 

[Mango]

I am serious though. I found a web site that tracks the monarchs, but it still doesn't answer my question why every year I see them flying East.

http://www.learner.org/jnorth/tm/monarch/AboutFall.html

SJ, I need your help here.

 

[TreeFrog]

I see the same thing. I've decided they don't migrate like geese - i.e. get up in the morning and all fly in the same direction. It must be less a migration than a gradual moving of where they are living at the time. So on any given day, they could fly east, west, or just stay put.

 

[Mango]

I see the same thing. I've decided they don't migrate like geese - i.e. get up in the morning and all fly in the same direction. It must be less a migration than a gradual moving of where they are living at the time. So on any given day, they could fly east, west, or just stay put.

Interesting theory. I know all monarchs do not migrate, but didn't know that at night they find a roosting spot where they cluster.
I did read that some Monarchs migrate to Cuba and the Caribbean also which I didn't know.

Still doesn't explain the mass flocking of monarchs headed East I have seen though. I have yet to see them go West, that is when I am at the beach along the dunes.

 

[DuneAHH]

I don't know a thing about Monarch migration, but I always wonder :scratch:... if we knew how to read all the signs from nature, could we better predict upcoming weather conditions / events?

 

[SHELLY]

The winds brought a lot more monarchs in today flying along the dunes. But they were heading East? If they are going to Mexico, wonder why they would head in that direction? Wouldn't it be easier to fly towards Texas gulf? Did they hear about the new airport or are they confused and going to Mexico Beach instead?

This thread reminds me of one of my favorite parts in a "Peanuts" movie:

Lucy: Well, look here. A big yellow butterfly. It's unusual to see one of those at THIS time of year, unless of course, it flew up from Brazil. I'll bet that's it. They DO that sometimes, you know. They fly up from Brazil.

Linus: That's no butterfly! That's a potato chip.

Lucy: Well, I'll be. I wonder how a potato chip got all the way up here from Brazil!

:funn:

.

 

[TreeFrog]

Interesting theory. I know all monarchs do not migrate, but didn't know that at night they find a roosting spot where they cluster.
I did read that some Monarchs migrate to Cuba and the Caribbean also which I didn't know.

Still doesn't explain the mass flocking of monarchs headed East I have seen though. I have yet to see them go West, that is when I am at the beach along the dunes.

So Mango...

I sat on my porch yesterday morning for a couple of hours. There's a tree in the yard that attracts Monarchs, so I probably saw two or three dozen of them. They were all flying east.