Western monarch butterfly populations are at critically low levels. The latest annual winter counts recorded some 12,260 monarchs along the California coast.
This is the third-lowest tally in program history, representing a catastrophic decline from the millions of butterflies that historically wintered here.
Climate change, habitat loss and pesticide use are driving the drastic decline, scientists say. TheCalifornia Department of Fish and Wildlife classifies monarchs as a "Species of Greatest Conservation Need" while at the federal level, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has proposed listing the monarch under the Endangered Species Act as "threatened."
Meanwhile, what a glorious day when a monarch flutters into your garden and begins laying eggs on your milkweed.
Welcome, welcome, welcome!