Following the Flight of the Monarchs

Following the Flight of the Monarchs is an interdisciplinary acoustic ecology project.

It connects artists and scientists with ecosystems and communities along the 3,000 mile monarch butterfly migration route of Mexico to Canada.

Project lead, Rob Mackay is a sound artist and Senior Lecturer in Composition.

Rob is passionate about building links between art and science, and how we can draw connections to the natural world through sound and music.

Streamboxes are installed along the monarch butterfly migration routes between Canada and Mexico.

The first box was installed in the Cerro Pelón UNESCO monarch butterfly reserve in Mexico in 2018. Further boxes were then installed at Point Pelee National Park in Canada in 2019 and Phil Hardberger Park in San Antonio, USA in 2024.

Monarchs numbers have declined by nearly 90% over the past two decades. The streams were developed for ecosystem monitoring as well as for integrating into artworks - both of which raise awareness of the issues monarchs face.

Artefacts produced so far include: a touring installation (presented at the Eden Project, and various international conferences and festivals

A networked telematic performance a radio programme for BBC Radio 3

'Following the Flight of the Monarchs' was a winner in the Global Category of the Newcastle University Engagement and Place Awards in 2024