According to an expert, deforestation is down in Mexican forest that is the winter home of Monarch butterflies and scientists also expect to see a recovery in the annual migration after it dropped to significant low last year.

Omar Vidal of the World Wildlife Funds said the data from the United States shows a light recovery. Two to three times more Monarchs may appear this year as compared to previous year.

Since the record-keeping started in 1993, the Monarch population fell to the lowest level last year, covering just two-thirds of a hectare (1.65 acres) in the pine and fir forests west of Mexico City.

If the population of butterflies triples, they would cover only about 2 hectares (5 acres). That would be just over one-tenth of the record high of 18.2 hectares (45 acres) in 1996-97.

To a reserve area every winter, millions of the black-and-orange butterflies come back, collecting in trees in numbers so huge that they are counted not as individuals, but they are counted by the amount of acreage they cover.

In the United States and Canada, the same generation never survives to create the round trip to summer habitats.

The annual survey experts gave more good news. They carry out survey using satellite photos and on-the-ground reconnaissance to check on tree cutting in the reserve.

"This demonstrates the commitment of the land owners. The indigenous communities receive government support to conserve the forests, and they make some money from reforestation projects and tourists who come to see the butterflies", said Vidal.

Chip Taylor of Monarch Watch at the University of Kansas said the numbers wintering in Mexico could be two to four times more than the previous year. Adding to it, Taylor said it seems to be because of favorable weather.