Monarch Alert

Jessica Griffiths, Monterey County Coordinator for Monarch Alert.
"Monarch Alert is a study of patterns of fall migration, wintering activity, and spring dispersal by monarch butterflies in western North America. The project includes: Study of seasonal abundance and habitat use in the northern half of their winter range, Tagging of monarchs at habitats in four counties. The tagging study will provide information about movement patterns at several spatial scales and with reference to several possible causal factors. Some of these factors include weather patterns, butterfly condition, and landscape constraints."

"In order to track patterns of fall migration and spring dispersal, thousands of monarchs will be tagged. Small tags weighing between 1/50th and 1/100th of the butterfly’s body weight are attached to the underside of its hindwing. This tag adheres without needing to rub off scales."

Monarch's are fog drinkers!
They Winter on our coast, spread from SF to So. Cal. (Winter Cycle 6-8 Months.)
Summer cycles 3-6 weeks, 3-4 times each summer, Inland to Central Valley and as far away as Colorado.
Monarch's use environmental triggers like birds.
Milk Weeds are a weed to farmers, they have been allowed to grow round up ready crops, reducing Milk Weed in the Central Valley, less butterflies. With reductions in wintering areas, numbers have declined.
They are very concerned about the LBAM spray, but the Monarch's seems to be OK (this year), so far!
Helen Johnson is a founder and main contributor to this cause.
Thanksgiving count started in 1997
199 sites for overwintering declining fast, populations from 1.2M to 100K due to decreases in habitat, disease and parasites.
Fires effected? Retardants? Habitats are destroyed, but monarchs are dispersed widespread in the summer when fire is an issue.
Pacific Coast Sanctuary has docents, 55F they are tightly clustered, hard to see, check it out! warmer is better, they are more active.
Molest a butterfly? it will cost you!!!! DO NOT Touch
Valentines day is a butterfly orgy!
Claspers on the male are used to carry the female into the trees for several hours of multiple matings!!!

What can we do?
Grow a butterfly garden, any Nectar plants are good.
Protect winter habitats
Save Milkweed habitats
Grow milkweed if you live inland
831-648-5716 X11 be a Docent
If you want to get involved in the Thanksgiving count E-Mail her
jessicagriffiths@ventanaws.org OR show up this Sat 7:30AM for a count Lighthouse at Ridge Rd in PG, bring a folding chair.
No previous experience necessary.

Jeff