Saturday, December 13, 2014

Rescued From The Cat's Claw

Two days ago, I picked my daughter up from school and brought her home.  As we pulled up into the driveway, she noticed a Monarch butterfly on the cement.  It looked like the family cat had just pounced on it and was about to again.  We jumped out quickly and rescued the butterfly.  She had emerged from her chrysalis that day, but her wings were not fully dry.  The cat had probably disturbed her.  Anyway, we got her, brought her inside and fed her.  She rested for 24 hours, and then we released her.  This brings our total Monarchs raised to 2,071.

Happy Monarching!


Caleb & Janae Warren

Thursday, November 27, 2014

Some Monarchs Didn't Go To Mexico This Year (Events From November 2014)

About two weeks ago, we had a cold snap.  Temperatures dropped down into the upper 30s.  My 6 year old daughter Laura has an eagle eye for spotting Monarch butterflies and caterpillars.  A few days before that, I had noticed a female Monarch hanging around our Milkweed plants.  Apparently, she laid a number of eggs, because Laura spotted caterpillars on that cold afternoon.  Well, we just had to bring them inside and save them.

The good news is that it looks like we will be able to successfully release 10 into the wild.  Of course, their fellow Monarchs have already migrated to Mexico by now, so they will be forced to hang out here.  But at least they will be able to enjoy themselves until the first frost.  Who knows, perhaps that will be weeks from now.










We took these caterpillars and chrysalis' up to Lala's school so they could enjoy them last week.  Unfortunately, they are all emerging during the holiday week off, so the kids won't get to see it this time.  However, we are taking pictures and videos to show them next week.  And, we have plans to work with Laura' teacher and class next spring to raise some in their classroom.  We plan to post more about that then.

One last note: this past season, scientists say the overwintering Mexico population was down 50% from the previous year.  That's substantial.  One thing that definitely helps is getting Milkweed and growing it in your yard.  It never fails to draw Monarchs too.  They can smell it for miles away.  Please check with your local nursery.  They may well have Milkweed plants in stock.  If not, ask them to please get some in.  Thanks for your help.

Happy Monarching,


Caleb, Janae, Joshua & Laura Warren
savethemonarch1@gmail.com

P.S.  Our total Monarch rearing and release total is now 2,070!

Friday, March 21, 2014

First Monarchs of the 2014 Season Spotted in Aransas Pass, TX !!!

Dear Readers,

Exciting news!  Yesterday, my family spotted two Monarch butterflies in the area.  The first was outside my son's school.  The 2nd was in our yard!  It always helps to have Milkweed present.  They can sniff it out from astounding distances.

Today, my daughter spotted another Monarch in the yard again on our Milkweed plants.  I took a picture of it.  (See photo below) 

(Monarch sited in Aransas Pass, Texas on March 21, 2014)
I think it's a female.

With all the tragic news I've heard recently about the overwintering populations having fallen by 50% or more this year, it is so good to see them coming through the area heading north to Canada.

Happy Monarching!


Caleb & Janae Warren

Friday, February 14, 2014

Sad News For the Monarchs this past 2013 Winter

I saw this article on CNN today and decided to share it.  The entire Monarch population fit in the area about the size of a football field this past 2013 winter.  It this continues, this species may not be around much longer.

The article points out that the loss of the Milkweed plant in its migratory route is one of the main reasons for the demise of the Monarchs.  I have several plants in my yard and try to add a few more each year.  Please help spread the word to plant more Milkweed plants.  Every little bit helps.

Happy Monarching!


Caleb


http://www.cnn.com/2014/02/14/opinion/roberts-monarch-butterflies/index.html?hpt=hp_t4