Monarch Migration

Fall is here and Monarchs are migrating! Butterfly numbers have been low in the Northeast this year due to adverse weather conditions, and early reports indicate that the annual monarch migration may be less abundant this year than usual. But that's no reason not to look and find out for ourselves! Pick a warm and sunny day for your search. Migrating monarchs hug the shore, so head to a shoreline site such as Naparee Point in Westerly, Sachuest Point in Middletown, Trustom Pond in South Kingstown or Beavertail Park in Jamestown. Audubon's Touisset Refuge is a bit farther inland but has been known to harbor lots of monarchs as well. Monarchs can be found at many of our other refuges as well.

The monarch migration can be a spectacular event if you are lucky enough to see a large group roosting or on the wing. However, soon it will be too cold for butterflies to fly at all. So head out while it's still warm and enjoy their beautiful wings while you can! And while you're at it, post your sightings on the Ocean State Butterflies Yahoo group .You have to have a Yahoo account to join, but it is free and easy to get one...email July at jlewis@asri.org if you run into problems.

Enjoy the fall,

Eugenia Marks & July Lewis