Watch In Awe As Millions Of Monarch Butterflies Invade Maine Later This Spring
By Michelle|Published March 31, 2020
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Michelle
Author
Michelle's life is a colorful map of exploration and adventure. From the iconic streets of New York to the sunny shores of Florida, the jagged coast of Maine to the rugged terrain of Montana, she's been fortunate to call some of America's most beautiful states home. Beyond the U.S., Michelle's wanderlust has taken her on a motorcycle journey through India, led her to teach English in Hanoi, and saw her studying Spanish in Guatemala. Michelle graduated with a communications degree from the S. I. Newhouse School of Public Communications at Syracuse University and in addition to a career in advertising has worked with OnlyInYourState since 2016, where her love for travel and storytelling converges. Alongside writing and exploring, Michelle finds joy in photography, staying active, and time with her family.
For questions, comments and inquiries please email: mstarin@onlyinyourstate.com.
One of the things we can always count on is nature. Whether she’s consistent or surprising, we can always be sure that there will be some form of beauty we can take in. And in Maine, Mother Nature has a little something special up her sleeve each spring and fall. The annual Monarch migration takes place twice a year and, to some people’s surprise, we can catch them all the way up here in Maine!
Despite the fact that the Monarch butterfly has wings that look oh-so delicate, it’s actually one very hearty animal! So hearty, in fact, that it manages to make a 3,000-mile voyage twice each year!
The first generation of butterflies that make the trip might not make it all the way. But they’ll lay eggs on their route, which will hatch and continue the journey themselves.
This cycle repeats and the second or third generation of Monarchs are the ones that complete the journey. These are the Monarchs we’re likely to see in Maine. And from here they’ll continue on their way to Canada.
For many, the Monarch migration is a telling sign of spring and summer. In Maine, as they make their way here, it brings fun memories of being kids playing outside.
While nobody really knows why the Monarchs make this huge journey, scientists believe they’re triggered by sensing longer days and rising temperatures.
In the fall, Monarchs make their journey back down South following similar paths. However, one difference that you might notice is the way they congregate.
The route changes slightly each year, but this is what was reported across the country in 2019. Looks like there were plenty of sightings all the way into Vacationland!
For more information on the annual spring Monarch migration, check out the U.S Forest Service website. You can also track them in real-time using this interactive map! You can even track the migration path from past years.
