anonymous mailing

[Paul Cherubini]

Ron wrote:

> Perhaps the "Yellow Card" does not exist!  Perhaps the two 
> individuals who have said they received it are co-conspirators 
> in a larger plot to divert attention away from the successful,
> massive and unhindered northward migrations of non-Green 
> Card possessing Mexican Monarchs!!! 

Yes, the northward migrations of Mexican monarchs into Texas 
this spring appear to be rather strong.

Yesturday Mike Quinn, coordinator of the Texas Monarch Watch,
made the following comments about the migration on dplex-l:

" There are more Monarch sightings this year than there were 
at this time last year. Also the number of Monarchs reported 
per sighting is greater this year than last. Some of this is 
probably due to abiotic conditions like prevailing northerly
winds, but in general there appears to be more Monarchs 
this year than last..."  Mike Quinn

This http://www.saber.net/~monarch/jnorth2.JPG
Journey North map shows the progress the monarchs have
made so far as of March 21:

However, will all this good news about the healthy spring migration
in Texas ever be relayed to the general public?  I doubt it.
All the citizens of Texas have ever heard are doom and gloom 
predictions in media reports like this one:
=============================================
Thursday February 14 06:20 PM EST 

By CHRIS VAUGHN, Fort Worth. Texas Star-Telegram Staff Writer

Storms in Mexico kill millions of Monarch butterflies

The mythical, mysterious migration of monarch butterflies through 
the heart of Texas next month will be but a trickle because of a winter
storm in Mexico that decimated their winter havens.

Scientists from American universities reported this week that an 
estimated 200 million-plus monarchs lay dead in six-inch
high piles in central Mexico, more than 70 percent of the butterflies 
in the two largest colonies.

Researchers said the mortality rates are unprecedented, and they 
warned that the spring migration north - when the butterflies begin 
breeding - will be extremely light and vitally important for the 
monarch's recovery.

Excerpts:

"This critter is being pushed to the limits" said Mike Quinn an invertebrate
biologist with the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. "Hopefully it
will come back. But we'll be on pins and needles for awhile." 

Like the spring migration in 2001, this year's is "going to be barely
perceptible" Quinn said because of the winter storm that hit the colonies
near Mexico City in mid-January.

 
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