I think this means and early spring. No matter what Puxatony Phil says. I went out to Sabine Woods on Groundhog Day because it is supposed to be a great birding location. I didn't see any birds but I did see this and a few Sulphers.

What a coincidence! I found a monarch in my yard last Thursday, a beautiful healthy female.

Wonder if they are late or early?

I vote for "early!"

Maybe both early AND late. But will they survive and reproduce? That's the most important thing! The monarchs need a good comeback year.

I don't think my female has many good chances of reproducing unless it had already mated before i found her.
We did release a male that had eclosed in our garage a few days prior, so there is a chance she might lay fertile eggs.

I took her to a school presentation and all the kids went crazy over her, they named her DESA after their school and she is now in a cage in their classroom with flowers and milkweed, who knows? It might work after all.

One of my garden club friends also found a sleepy monarch a few days ago

I saw monarchs twice that day. Could have been the same one but it was it different area so may there was more than one.