Monarchs Are Heading South Again

Well, Monarchs have left Canada and begun their 2000 mile trek to Central Mexico.  Be sure to keep an eye out for them.  I live on the Texas Gulf coast, and they usually come through here between October 1-15.  I'll keep you posted if I see any coming through this year.

One bit of good news is that recent rains here are bring relief from the horrible drought this year.  Last year, the drought made it very difficult for the butterflies to make their journey south.  At least they will have plenty of water and flowers to get nectar from as they travel this fall.

On a sad note, Monarch habitat and numbers of Monarchs making the annual migration continue to drop.  Below are a couple of articles with more information.

http://www.weather.com/news/science/nature/monarch-butterflies-threatened-logging-20130910

http://www.weather.com/news/science/nature/monarch-butterflies-mexico-20130314

Happy Monarching!


Caleb, Janae, Joshua & Laura Ann

Planting Milkweed In Your Yard Is Vital

I just came across this article tonight.  If this doesn't convince you of the importance of planting milkweed in your yard and on your property, I don't know what will.

It's so sad to see species like this dwindling towards extinction.  Monarchs are at an all time low.  I wonder how many more years we will even have an annual migration if this continues.

Here is the link.

http://news.yahoo.com/monarch-butterflies-drop-ominously-mexico-023630858.html

Happy Monarching!


Caleb & Janae Warren
savethemonarch1@gmail.com

Ahhhh Spring!

Springtime is one of my favorite times of the year.  Of course, here on the coastal bend of Texas, we have a much milder winter than other parts of the country, so sometimes the transformation is not quite as dramtic as the northern areas of the country.  Nonetheless, it is still beautiful and breathtaking.

I took a few pictures this morning in my yard to share with you.  I hope I get to take a pic of a Monarch passing through.  I'll keep my camera nearby.

Sand Milkweed growing in my front yard. It returns every year.

Blue Vine Milkweed growing on my Lantana bush.  Lantana is a favorite nectar flower of  Monarch  butterflies.

Blue Vine Milkweed growing on my chain link fence. I'm encouraging it's growth.

Milkweed bug. They eat up Milkweed that the Monarchs need. I usually remove them.

Blue Vine Milkweed growning on the ground.  That doesn't work out too well when it comes time to mow the grass.

Blue Vine Milkweed growing near my children's slide

Wildflowers in our yard. They're just coming out.

More wildflowers. I love the diversity.

This year, my goal is to encourage Milkweed to grow in my yard.  This will help the Monarch on its annual migratory route.  Check with your local nurseries.  Ask them to carry Milkweed.  Buy some and plant it in your yard.  It's pretty hardy.  Here locally, I've found some nice plants every year at Turner's Nursery in Corpus Christy.  

I tried to transplant some Blue Vine milkweed to other places in my yard, but it didn't turn out so well.  It's strange - on it's own, it can spread just fine.  But, if I try to help it along, it doesn't respond well.  So, I'll just water and let it do its thing.

Happy Monarching!

Caleb & Janae Warren

savethemonarch1@gmail.com

2013 Monarchs Have Been Sighted!

Exciting news!  We have had three Monarch butterfly sightings in the last three days!  Sadly, I wasn't able to get a picture in time.  They were moving through with haste.  So, our first 2013 sighting was on March 11th. I never get tired to seeing them come through year after year.

Have the Monarchs reached your area?  Have you seen any?  Please let us know.  Pictures are welcome.

Happy Monarching!


Caleb & Janae Warren
savethemonarch1@gmail.com