00:00Monarch butterflies are beginning their annual journey south across North America.
00:04Cooling temperatures and changing winds are helping trigger the fall migration.
00:09Some monarchs can travel up to 3,000 miles on this remarkable journey.
00:13Eastern monarchs generally head toward the Oymel fir forests of central Mexico.
00:18Western monarchs migrate toward sheltered groves along California's coast.
00:22Unlike earlier generations, these butterflies can survive for up to nine months.
00:26The migration begins in August and shifts south through September and October.
00:31Monarchs can travel more than 100 miles in a single day when conditions are favorable.
00:36They often gather by the dozens, hundreds, or even thousands in overnight roosts.
00:41Sunny conditions and temperatures above 55 degrees can make them easier to spot.
00:46Late-blooming flowers provide crucial nectar during their long migration.
00:50Native milkweed is also essential for monarch eggs and caterpillars.
00:54As autumn continues, millions of butterflies will move toward their winter habitats.
00:59Disclosure.
00:59This video contains stock footage and content created or enhanced using AI-assisted tools.
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