2017 19" rain (a few downpours)
This year's rain-drenched backyard Asclepias fascicularis sprouts have diminished or slowed as compared to recent past drought conditions, while Vicia sp. has flourished in its place for about one to two months(died off). 3/10/17 With monarch season fast approaching, warmer weather has sparked new milkweed sprouts. Seasonal weather shifts affect plant growth, and species appearance may follow this pattern as well. 4/14/17 Monarchs and milkweed bugs still haven't found the milkweed garden. The main patch grows plush may be due to the compost and mulch added to the clayish soil. 5/11/17 One monarch egg found on narrow-leaf milkweed! 5/15/17 One small milkweed bug found in the front yard and narrow-leaf milkweed first bloom of the season. 5/22/17 Male monarch found the milkweed garden. 6/7/17 One small milkweed bug found in backyard. 6/18/17 Female monarch flying around the garden. 7/15/17 Large Milkweed bugs appear and rush milkweed bloom is the most robust since being planted. 8./5/17 Oleander aphids appear in the front yard. 8/21/17 With the asclepias fascicularis flowers all gone nectar-feeding insects will have to find other sources, and aphis nerii still haven't found the backyard. First time no monarch caterpillars have appeared. 10/29/17 This is the first year the happy Halloween monarch hasn't appeared 12/29/17 1st monarch caterpillar observations of the year!🎉

2018 drought 4.79" rain
Narrowleaf milkweed never fully disappeared as it does every winter. Maybe the unusually warm winter weather 80F often is a threshold needed to sustain plant life. New milkweed and Vicia sp. sprouts appeared after the first rainstorm on 1/9/18. Rainfall total this season 2/11/18 1.96" are -5.84" below normal thus far. Only milky slugs have been observed, while ambigolimax have yet to make their first appearance. 3/9/18 Ambigolimax first appearance. 5/10/18 Narrowleaf milkweed first bloom this week. 5/20/18 Vicia sp. dried up. 10/25/18 First night no moths appeared at the black UV light, temperature 63 F. 12/8/18 This past year's severe drought produced only nine persimmons, a record low! The weather at this time has been about 10 degrees F cooler than last year. 12/21/18 Vicia sp. have been sprouting early this year.

2019 18.82" rain(light steady)
Larger than normal rainfall during January and the beginning of March. Milkweed started a growth spurt during mid-April this year, while Vicia sp. dittoed last year. 6/29/19 First time hearing a flock of California's wild parrots in the area. 7/21/19 No argentine ants found along the wall, some under a stepping stone, and a scant trail on the persimmon tree. 8/26/19 The narrow-leaf milkweed flowers have disappeared this past week, and first day since May 29 that no monarch butterflies appeared. The traditional halloween Monarch didn't appear this year.

2020 Nov,Dec19,Mar,Apr20 drought like in off months. 14.86" historical rainfall average
Narrowleaf milkweed started sprouting in early February, while Vicia sp. made its usual January appearance. March and April brought 7.37" of rain for an annual total of 14.72". January and February the highest average rainfall, this year they were drought months. 11/2/20 One monarch butterfly. 11/7/20 First solid rain of season.

2021 Nov,Dec20, Jan21 drought, 29 Jan21 ~1", Feb21 drought, 11 Mar 0.7" ->drought
2020-2021 season 5.82"
2021-2022 season
3/1/21 First monarch butterfly seen, maybe one of the Mcats seen on 2/5/21. 3/20/21 Monarch briefly seen. 3/21/21 Many eggs and a few baby mcats on narrow-leaf milkweed. Monarch ovipositing on narrow-leaf milkweed. This season has started with prime prospects!
10/18/21 Monarch briefly flew into the yard. 10/20/21 Monarchs beginning to arrive at coastal overwintering sites in California.
10/30/21 A 4-foot milkweed plant will feed only 5 Monarch caterpillars! 11/1/21 80+ Eupatorium greggii blooms. 11/21/21 Pruned remaining narrow-leaf milkweed to the ground. SR is still ok. 11/22/21 Monarch flying around the yard. Thanks to all that are helping preserve the flight of the Monarch(past, present, and future).
2022 drought through October. March 29 1.25" only major rain.
Narrow-leaf milkweed flowering was very sparse.
2023 Jan-Mar 22.61" Year of the Atmospheric Rivers" 28.4" 22/23 year total.
4/15/23 Very unusual. No monarch butterflies, larva, or eggs observed.
5/17/23 The first narrow-leaf flower bunch has bloomed. Maybe the relatively cool weather has delayed this year's flight of the Monarch butterfly.
6/2/23 First monarch to appear this year. 71 F high.
The month of August unusual rain 2.99". Normal is no rain.

Posted on March 4, 2017 03:41 PM by quantron