In a life of uncertainties, it’s nice to know that we can always rely on nature to bring some peace, calm and beauty. Every year in New Hampshire we can rely on spring to bring us out of winter, even if that spring takes a while to arrive. One of the other benefits of springtime in New Hampshire is the beautiful Monarch butterfly migration that makes its way through the state.

The Monarch butterfly might seem delicate, but did you know they undertake a 3,000-mile migration two times each year?
Renee Grayson / Flickr
Every spring the Monarch butterfly makes its way from warm climates like Mexico and Florida towards cooler places up north.
U.S. Forest Service
While they’re strong, it’s unlikely that the ones who leave for the journey will make it all the way to their destination. In actuality, there’s a first generation of butterflies who lay eggs along the way. These eggs hatch and continue the trip.
Brenda Reamy / Flickr
This cycle repeats and these second or third generation of Monarchs are the ones that complete the journey. These are the Monarchs we may see in New England. From here, they’ll continue until they get to their northern destination. They’ll stay here until the fall when they head back down south.
beauconsidine / Flickr
Seeing the butterflies is a good indication that summer is nearly here!
Bud / Flickr

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While It’s hard to say why the Monarchs make this journey, scientists believe that sensing longer days and warmer weather triggers their flight.
sodaigomi / Flickr
And, when the weather changes again in the fall, back down they go following similar paths!
spablab / Flickr
The best thing about this beautiful migration is that you don’t need to spend any more to enjoy it! Just make sure you’re spending a little more time outdoors this spring.
joceykinghorn / Flickr
The one difference you’ll see in the spring and fall migration is the way they interact. In the spring they’re likely to be solo, but the colder temperatures in the fall cause them to gather in roosts to stay warm.
usfwsmidwest / Flickr
The route changes slightly each year, but this is what was reported across the country in 2019.
maps.journeynorth.org

To learn more about the spring Monarch migration that happens each year, visit the U.S Forest Service website. You can also track them across the country using this interactive map which will even track the migration path from past years.

And we have even more nature to look forward to this year! Keep your eyes peeled as thousands of hummingbirds head for New Hampshire during their annual migration this spring.

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