Fall Monarch Migration Through Texas

Texas Monarch Watch

Return to Texas Entomology - Compiled by Mike Quinn

Monarchs occur  throughout Texas during the fall migration, 
but the largest concentrations generally follow the historical pattern indicated here:

 

Mapp of Fall Monarch Migration Through Texas

Consult the following website here dubbed:
"Moving Days for Monarchs" 
for a 3-day wind direction, speed, temp. etc., prediction
to fine tune when and where monarch movements will be.
Set for Dallas, but forecast location can be changed.

Animation of the fall 2007 monarch migration - Journey North

Texas Fall Monarch Flyway Analysis for 2007

Note: the timing of the coastal migration trails that of the Texas interior.

See Harlen Aschen's report of monarch numbers by date
for Point Comfort, TX, October-November 2006

Midpoints and Peaks of the Fall Monarch Migration

Latitude Midpoint Peak in monarch abundance Corresponding
major cities
37 27 September 19 September - 1 October KS - OK Border
35 2 October 24 September - 6 October Amarillo 
33 7 October 29 September - 11 October Lubbock, Denton
31 12 October 4-16 October Midland, Waco
29 18 October 10-22 October Del Rio, Galveston
27 23 October 15-27 October Laredo, Kingsville
25 28 October 20 October - 1 November Monterrey, N.L., MX
23 4 November 27 October -8 November S. of CD Victoria, MX
21 11 November 3-15 November  
19.4 18 November 10-22 November Overwintering Sites

Source: Peak Monarch Migration Dates - Monarch Watch


The monarch distribution contrasts with more easterly distribution of Texas population - U.S. Census Bureau

Monarch flyway primarily originates in the upper Midwest
as exemplified by this map of fall Monarch roosts - Journey North

20 Feb 2008 ©  Mike Quinn / mike.quinn@tpwd.state.tx.us / Texas Entomology / Texas Monarch Watch