Anyone experienced with Monarchs near Diamond Bar, CA?

[Diamond Butterfly]

I'm brand new to this forum, though I've long had an interest in Monarchs and have certainly heard of MonarchWatch.org.

I live in Diamond Bar, which is in Los Angeles county. It is sunny and warm, if not downright hot, year round. "Cool" weather in the 60s during the winter months. My husband and I planted a California native garden a couple of years ago, including one milkweed plant, which has started to spread through its own seeds. We have lots of birds and the occasional butterfly.

For the past 2-3 weeks I have noticed 2-3 Monarch butterflies. I don't know if they are the same or if Monarchs just happen to be passing through at this time of year. There is one butterfly in particular (I identified her as a female through the sexing guide on this website) and she has been hanging out around our milkweek plants. We have several other plants in flower at this time, so there's plenty for her to snack on, but I do see her on the flowers and leaves of the milkweek a lot.

I wondering if someone in the area has had any Monarchs overwinter on their property. I'm also wondering if it's possible she is laying eggs at this time of year.

This morning I ordered the MonarchWatch seed kit for California and I will germinate and plant more milkweed around the property in hopes of attracting more Monarchs. One of my cherished hopes (and reading the posts of many others here in this forum has strengthened that hope) is to collect the eggs and raise them to adult butterflies. For that purpose, we are considering building a butterfly house on our patio. Would a butterfly house work in the shade or does it need some/full sun? Does anyone know where I can research the building of butterfly containers, large and small on the web?

I would love to participate with you-all in doing my best to add to the tagged Monarch population. Such joy they bring me just watching them.

[tdogmom]

Well, there are a number of Monarchs that live in the Fullerton Arboretum, truly! They seem to live there all year long...ovipositing and living the entire lifecycle right there in the lovely park. I don't think they actually migrate very far but perhaps you are getting some from the Fullerton Arboretum since Diamond Bar isn't very far!

I live in Costa Mesa and get Monarchs in my garden. My husband surfs and he's been seeing them flying north along the coast (probably heading towards Huntington Beach! there is an overwintering site there in the Central Park).

I raise a lot of butterflies as I believe strongly in the conservation of the lovely beauties.

Lots of luck!

[Diamond Butterfly]

Well, there are a number of Monarchs that live in the Fullerton Arboretum, truly! They seem to live there all year long...ovipositing and living the entire lifecycle right there in the lovely park. I don't think they actually migrate very far but perhaps you are getting some from the Fullerton Arboretum since Diamond Bar isn't very far!

I live in Costa Mesa and get Monarchs in my garden. My husband surfs and he's been seeing them flying north along the coast (probably heading towards Huntington Beach! there is an overwintering site there in the Central Park).

I raise a lot of butterflies as I believe strongly in the conservation of the lovely beauties.

Lots of luck!

Thanks very much for the post and the information. I'm very familiar with the Fullerton Arboretum and, indeed, it is only a few miles south of us- as the butterfly flies.

Since the cold weather has begun a few days ago I haven't seen my Monarch. I checked the milkweed and, to my disappointment, didn't see any eggs. I still have hope, however, for next year. I just received my Monarch Waystation kit and will be sprouting lots o' the milkweed in a couple months.