Mid-season Western Monarch Count set to be second lowest tally since 1997
By Isis Howard on 07 Jan, 2025
LINK: Western Monarch Count (WMC)
LINK: View data from past years here)
LINK: Monarch overwintering sites
LINK: Early-season
LINK: WesternMonarchCount.org
Notice: Below is a list of 5 important links included on this page.
1. Western Monarch Count (WMC)
2. View data from past years here)
3. Monarch overwintering sites
4. Early-season
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Western Monarch Count enters its final week of surveys
Western Monarch Count (WMC) participants have entered their final week of surveys, with the late-season count wrapping up on Sunday, January 12, 2025. Survey dates and project information can be viewed on the WMC website linked above.
Preliminary “mid-season” findings
The WMC tally for the mid-season survey period (formerly called “Thanksgiving count”), which ran from Nov 16 – Dec 8, 2024, is nearly finalized. Preliminary numbers confirm that this overwintering season will have the second lowest mid-season count tally since 1997 when the WMC effort began. The Fall 2020 overwintering season remains the lowest year on record (view data from past years here).
- Top overwintering sites (mid-season 2024): Santa Cruz County’s Natural Bridges and Lighthouse Field State Parks remain top monarch overwintering sites for the mid-season count (similar to the early-season) and are the only two sites with monarch counts over 1,000 butterflies (1,406 monarchs observed at Lighthouse Field, and 1,400 observed at Natural Bridges). In previous years, Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo Counties typically hosted the largest clusters.
- Monarch count tally (mid-season 2024): Numbers are still being finalized, but the preliminary mid-season tally is hovering just over 9,000 monarchs. Initial early-season data suggested around 7,000 monarchs (assume all numbers are approximate). These findings show a slight increase between the early and mid-season counts, which is to be expected. Numbers are now expected to drop back down as the overwintering season progresses.
Despite low numbers at overwintering sites, more than 800 monarch count surveys + 100 habitat assessments have been submitted so far, with hundreds more on the way or scheduled to be conducted in the coming week(s). The Xerces Society is incredibly grateful for all those who participate and support this initiative; a huge THANK YOU to the WMC’s funders, volunteers, regional coordinators, conservation partners, and other supporters. You all are incredible!!
What’s Next?
Xerces will publish the finalized WMC data and a bilingual press release in a few weeks once the data review process is complete. Xerces will also hold a public webinar to announce the detailed findings. More information will be available soon. Follow along at WesternMonarchCount.org.
