Catch sight of these orange-and-black beauties before they head south.
Western monarch butterflies are relatively rare in the Pacific Northwest, but Southern Oregon is a hot spot for the iconic insects with beautiful orange-and-black wings. If you’re traveling through the region in early fall, you may spot monarchs as they make their way to their wintering grounds on the California coast. Read on to learn how you can mindfully and safely observe the butterflies, as well as what you can do to help monarchs — and other pollinators — thrive.
Annual Long-Distance Travelers
Western monarchs spend the winter in groves of trees along the California coast. In early spring, they leave these groves and breed nearby. Their offspring — and the next generation after that — spread out across California and into the Pacific Northwest, some traveling as far as British Columbia and Idaho.
“Southern Oregon is a hugely important stepping stone,” says Robert Coffan, co-founder of Southern Oregon Monarch Advocates. “By the time monarchs make it up here, they need to mate.” After breeding some butterflies continue migrating northward, until the summer solstice (around June 21) cues them to stop. The last generation of the year — so special it’s known as the year’s “super generation” — makes the incredible journey all the way back to the California wintering grounds.
You may have heard that monarch caterpillars feed exclusively on milkweed; that’s why planting native milkweeds is a key strategy to helping monarchs thrive. Adult butterflies, on the other hand, depend on a variety of nectar-bearing flowers for food. Southern Oregon provides critical habitat for monarchs traveling both north and south, says Coffan. “The monarchs aren’t breeding as they return to California, but they still need pit stops for the 500- or 700-mile trip back down.”
Photo by Jessica Bolser/USFWS
When and Where to See Them
From late June through September, you can spot monarchs in public parks, especially native-plant gardens along creeks. Look for caterpillars — which sport alternating black, yellow, and white stripes — munching on milkweed leaves. Adult butterflies will be fluttering nearby among flowering plants.
At Ashland’s North Mountain Park, take the easy walking path through the native-plant garden near the Nature Center. In Phoenix visit Pollinator Project Rogue Valley’s garden in downtown to see what can be done with a small space. In Medford, which takes its pollinators seriously as an official Bee City USA, see if you can spot monarchs in the gardens at Oregon Hills Park and Lithia & Driveway Fields. Check out the Rogue Buzzway map to find more public pollinator gardens.
If you’re traveling on I-5 near Sutherlin, consider a short side trip to lovely Elkton, where you can visit the gardens and Butterfly Pavilion at the Elkton Community Education Center. There, high school docents will give you a tour of their monarch-rearing facilities and talk about monarch biology and conservation. You can also purchase native milkweed plants there.
If you do see a monarch caterpillar or butterfly, observe them closely but don’t pick them up. You can report your sighting to iNaturalist or the Western Monarch Milkweed Mapper.
Photo By Courtney Celley/USFWS
How You Can Help Monarchs
The Western monarch population has declined by 95% since the 1980s. Major threats include habitat loss, pesticides and climate change, which is causing more extreme and unpredictable weather across the butterfly’s range. Fortunately, there are several ways you can help these beautiful and resilient creatures, starting with planting monarch habitat.
“People can make a difference with just a simple waystation, not only for the Western monarch but for our bees and our other native pollinators,” says Deb Gritton, co-executive director at Elkton Community Education Center.
A monarch waystation should include food plants, water and shelter, preferably in the form of woody shrubs or trees. Native milkweeds are a must; however, it’s important to include a variety of native or native-adapted species that bloom at different times to ensure visiting monarchs always find something to eat.
Make sure the plants you purchase haven’t been treated with pesticides; otherwise, they could harm or even kill the pollinators you’re trying to help. Don’t use pesticides or herbicides on your lawn or garden, and consider removing at least part of your lawn and replacing it with native perennial flowers.
To keep track of Western monarchs as they travel through Oregon, follow Southern Oregon Monarch Advocates and Monarch Butterflies in the Pacific Northwest. The websites may list places where you can join a work party to plant or maintain habitat and educate others about these beautiful creatures. Xerces Society also provides excellent, science-based information about Western monarchs.
