We have been hearing that the monarch butterfly migration crossed into Canada at the beginning of May with a sighting at Rondeau Provincial Park on Lake Ontario. Rondeau is just up the lake from Point Peele, the shortest crossing point into the US on the Great Lakes. As the month passed we heard news of monarchs in Burlington, Hamilton and around Toronto, but had not seen a single monarch since returning to Ottawa from our tour season.
Milkweed, the monarch butterfly’s most sought-after plant for feeding and laying their eggs, is only just starting to sprout in our area, Ottawa, the nation’s capital. Sprouts are just starting to get leaves, so we were not anticipating any monarchs for at least a week yet.
Finally yesterday, just south of Ottawa, we spotted our first monarchs of the season. There was one male and one female, bright orange and quite small, indicating that they were born on the return migration of the sanctuaries in Mexico.
Our last day at the monarch sanctuaries this season was March 9th. Compared to only two days prior there were significantly less monarchs; it was evident that some of the colonies were starting their return voyage. Despite apparently unseasonal weather patterns, eleven weeks have passed and their migration is coming to an end.
The monarchs we saw yesterday have never been to Mexico’s sanctuaries, nor will they migrate there this fall. Yet, in only a few short generations they will make their way south, likely crossing into the US near Point Peele, Ontario and then into Mexico through Eagle Pass or maybe McAllen, Texas.
If you haven’t experienced this incredible natural phenomenon with us yet, don’t hesitate! We have a number of planned tours already for the 2011 season, but they are filling up fast. If you have a date in mind that you would like to travel, contact us for availability.
