The Magical Forest in Mexico Where Every Year the Sky Turns Black and Orange
It is one of the most extraordinary natural spectacles on the planet that takes place every year in the fir forests of central Mexico . Here, between the end of October and the beginning of November , millions of monarch butterflies ( Danaus plexippus ) gather, blanketing the trees and painting the sky black and orange .
We are in the Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve , an area of 56 million hectares covered with pines, oaks and conifers, created in 1980 to protect the winter habitat of this extraordinary creature which, in Mesoamerican culture, personified the souls of deceased loved ones .
Where is the Monarch Butterfly Forest located?The Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is located in Mexico , between the states of Michoacán and Estado de Mexico . Every year, millions of monarch butterflies arrive here after leaving the cold north of the United States and Canada to reach the milder mountains of the Michoacán forest, facing a journey of over 4,000 kilometers , the longest ever observed for insects.
It is an eight-month migration that crosses the continent, during which five consecutive generations are born and die. The different sanctuaries located in Michoacán and the State of Mexico are open to visitors who can immerse themselves in the world of monarchs, learn about this phenomenon of mass migration and support efforts to protect them.
View this post on Instagram
The migration of monarch butterflies is a phenomenon that fascinates professionals, enthusiasts and the simply curious. This is considered one of the most epic and dangerous journeys on the planet: although monarchs live all over the world, from South America to the Caribbean, to Europe, the North American monarchs are the only ones that carry out this incredible seasonal migration.
Each fall, monarchs in the northern United States and southern Canada fly south, a 2,500-mile (4,000-kilometer) journey known only to previous generations. Those that survive congregate in central Mexico, where they winter in the same fir stands that hosted their grandparents and great-grandparents the year before .
Why and when does the phenomenon occur?The main reason this happens is to escape the harshness of the northern winter. This is because monarch butterflies are unable to survive the cold climates and frosts that hit Canada and the northern United States. Therefore, they undertake an incredible journey south, where temperatures are milder and the environmental conditions allow them to overwinter.
The ideal month to witness the arrival of the monarch butterflies is February , especially in the area of Michoacán where 70% of the territory of the reserve is the most important destination in Mexico to witness the migration of the monarchs. Here there are three sanctuaries open to the public : El Rosario , the largest and most popular, known for its facilities such as the corridor of the artisans, Sierra Chincua , with its lush forest and shorter trails, suitable for families, and Senguio , with its lesser-known and pristine landscapes, ideal for those traveling alone.
