It’s a beautiful, sunny morning, and we’re walking through the scenic eucalyptus groves in Goleta’s Ellwood Mesa area with a biologist. We’re trying to find some endangered Monarch butterflies, which roost here as part of their migration process.
For decades, tracking the butterflies meant sitting quietly on a log to try to see and count the endangered insects. Now, thanks to technology, tracking the butterflies is as simple as using your smartphone.
"This year, for the first time ever, we're able to use these radio transmitting tags that have a small solar panel on them. They weigh .07 grams, and they have a little antenna," explained Charis van der Heide, a biologist who’s been studying Monarch butterflies for decades. "They connect with your phone through Bluetooth. We're just all over the moon excited about it."
They've tagged five butterflies at Ellwood Mesa so far, and they've even given them names. Anyone can download the app, which is called Project Monarch.
As we walk through the eucalyptus grove, we encounter Craig Wakamiya, an Ellwood Mesa docent. He is looking at the Project Monarch app on his phone.
"This morning, I've been fortunate and detected four different monarchs here in Ellwood. This is game-changing technology that was proposed decades ago, and has finally come to fruition."
Researchers believe this information is crucial as they attempt to establish a case for federal endangered species status for the monarchs. Some estimates suggest that the monarch population has declined by more than 80% since the 1980s. Habitat loss, pesticides, and climate change have impacted them.
"Right here at Ellwood, we have maybe about 20, optimistically, but about ten years ago we had 50,000," said van der Heide. She added that hundreds of monarchs have now been tagged with the electronic trackers, including about 15 on the Central Coast.
Do the tiny tracking devices affect the flight of the butterflies?
"They probably do realize that they have a tag. It's like a little backpack," confirmed van der Heide.
The tiny tracking devices will connect with anyone using the app within Bluetooth range. If you look at the app’s map, you can see them up and down the West Coast.
The nonprofit group Ellwood Friends is supporting the monarch research efforts. In fact, people who contribute $1,000 to purchase more tracking devices can have a monarch named after them.
"It's just unbelievable to be able to track the individuals through our phones. I almost didn't believe it, and I am so excited to see where they go after Ellwood. This research and this technology can tell us a lot about their migration," said Melissa Fontane, Project Director with Ellwood Friends. The nonprofit is hosting a volunteer work day this weekend to help improve the Ellwood habitat.
Some monarchs are also being tagged at popular overwintering habitats for the insects in Pismo Beach and Ventura.
