Monarch butterflies are gathering at Presqu’ile Provincial Park as they prepare to begin one of the most remarkable migrations in the natural world.
The annual Monarchs and Migrants Weekend returns to Presqu’ile over Labour Day weekend, celebrating both monarch butterflies and the many birds beginning their own journeys south.
The Friends of Presqu’ile say the park is an important stop for monarchs because its peninsula extends into Lake Ontario, helping shorten their flight over the water.
Bev Cook, chair of the Communications Committee for the Friends of Presqu’ile Park, says monarchs are particularly plentiful at this time of year.
The weekend will give visitors an opportunity to learn more about the butterflies and their migration.
Butterfly expert Don Davis will be at the park for a monarch tagging demonstration. Davis has been tagging monarchs at Presqu’ile for more than 30 years.
Cook says members of the public will have the opportunity to release tagged monarchs themselves.
The park will also host bird-banding demonstrations, guided walks and other programs focused on migration. Ontario Parks lists bird banding demonstrations both Saturday and Sunday mornings, along with monarch programming and guided walks.
Cook says there is plenty for visitors to discover beyond the butterflies, with Presqu’ile providing food and habitat for migrating birds as they prepare to continue south.
And while the monarchs will make an extraordinary journey to Mexico, the individual butterflies making the trip won’t return to Ontario.
Monarchs and Migrants Weekend runs September 5 and 6 at Presqu’ile Provincial Park. The Friends of Presqu’ile say the weekend will feature monarch tagging, bird banding and guided nature walks celebrating fall migration.
