Accent on Natural Landscaping

Donna VanBuecken

Overwintering Numbers for Eastern Monarch Migration Up

We received some wonderful news from Monarch Joint Venture this past week. Monarch overwintering numbers for 2018-2019 are up 144% from last year. This is the highest number Mexico has recorded since 2007. But while we are allowed to be excited because of the fantastic results of the Monarchs’ journey to Mexico, let’s not forget they have to hibernate over the winter and migrate back next spring. I recall the dismal winter weather they’ve had to endure in recent years and the horrific weather in which they’ve had to sometimes journey back. Considering the extremely cold weather we’ve been having this winter, it causes me to worry about their journey north this coming spring.

But for now, let’s be grateful for the good news and let’s plan to continue to plant more milkweed in the coming year.

Mexico reports the 2018-2019 population of Monarch butterflies is 6.05 hectares, with the largest in El Rosario ejido with 2.46 hectares. There are 14 colonies in all.

2017-2018   See  Eastern Monarch Overwintering Population Numbers Announced

2016-2017   See  Monarchs and Winter Weather  and  Monarch Butterfly Status

2015-2016   See Excellent News for Eastern Monarchs

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Non-Native Plants reduce Food availability for Birds

Doug Tallamy, Desiree Narango and Peter Marra* have provided more definitive data about the importance of native trees and shrubs for the livelihood of insect-eating birds. In this case, their research focused primarily on the Caroline Chickadee (Poecile carolinensis). In their report Nonnative plants reduce population growth of an insectivorous bird printed in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the USA (PNAS) Doug and his team concluded:

Doug Tallamy says a Black-capped Chickadee (Poecile atricapillus) pair brings 390-570 caterpillars to their young per day for 16 days. Photo by Doug Tallamy.

“We monitored reproduction and survival of Carolina chickadees within residential yards and found that when nonnative plants increased, both insect availability and chickadee population growth declined. We also found that populations could only be sustained if nonnative plants constituted <30% of plant biomass. Our results demonstrate that nonnative plants reduce habitat quality for insectivorous birds and restoration of human-dominated areas should prioritize native plants to support local food webs.” (PNAS) [Read more…]

Grasslands and Pollinators

Monarch on Swamp Milkweed (Asclepias incarnata). Photo by Robert Carlson

The 2017 America’s Grasslands Conference Proceedings are now available. Fairly technical in its approach to what’s new and what’s ongoing in grasslands research, I found Section 5. “Grasslands and Pollinators” the most relatable. (Pgs 53 – 58) Besides the typical updates on the status of pollinators and monarchs in particular, there is also an introduction to the Urban Monarch Conservation Guidebook. [Read more…]

Last Monarch of the Season

According to my phenology records, this year was the latest we’ve seen a Monarch butterfly in our yard; September 24, 2018. It was a hot, humid summer going right into Labor Day, so I guess I’m not surprised. I hope she makes it to Mexico okay.

Butterflies, like this Monarch, rely upon fall blossoming forbs to get them ready for their winter sojurn. Asters, False Boneset, Sawtooth Sunflower, Brown-Eyed Susan, Stiff Goldenrod and Zigzag Goldenrod all are great plants to have in gardens and native plantings this time of year.

See also the Yellows of a Late Prairie and More Yellows of a Late Prairie.

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