MONARCH NUMBERS DOWN

The Monarchs have had a tough year.  The 2012 generation that overwintered in Mexico had a rough start.  As they headed north in the early spring of 2013 they would  normally lay their eggs on milkweeds in southern Texas, but that area is in drought and the milkweeds were few in numbers.  According to the T.V. series Northland Adventures many of the Monarch then tried to proceed farther north to find milkweed  but due to a late, cold spring the milkweeds were not yet up. The very wet, cold, and stormy weather in the Midwest took its toll on the next generation also.  Much of the upper Midwest is now in drought and we are again having a shorter than normal blooming season for our prairie flowers.  This shortened season is putting stress on 2013's last generation of Monarchs as they head all the way to Mexico for the winter.   Bad weather along with continued habitat loss in both the Midwest and Mexico is taking its toll.  Each year we are seeing fewer Monarchs.  Lets hope next year is better.