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

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!

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

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

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