Witnessing nearly 8,000 Monarch Butterflies leave Point Pelee National Park and continue their journey south was one of the most amazing spectacles I have observed.
Tuesday, September 11, 2018, was a day I circled on my calendar. Not for the obvious reason this date signifies, but because after several days of rain, cool temperatures, and strong east winds this was the day the sky was predicted to clear and winds were to be lighter out of the northwest. What did this mean and why did I care? Well, if the weather held true the nearly 8,000 Monarch Butterflies mentioned in my last post Thousands Of Monarchs Roosting At The Tip Of Point Pelee were destined to depart Point Pelee National Park and continue their journey south under these ideal migrating conditions.
Monarch Butterflies warming their wings in the morning sun.
The inclement weather brought in by the remnants of hurricane Gordon stalled this huge group of migrating Monarchs for three days, and I knew when the weather finally broke these butterflies were going in exit in epic proportions. Taking my chances on the weather forecast I left London shortly after 4 a.m. so I would be at Point Pelee National Park when it opened at 7 a.m.
Large roosts from the previous night could be seen high in the treetops. Once the sky cleared and the temperature rose, thousands of Monarchs took flight.
Arriving early, I was the first car at the gate. I exited my vehicle and did some stretching while I waited for park staff to arrive and unlock the gate. I was meeting my friend Darlene, the park’s official Monarch counter, at the gate and after gaining access to the park our plan was to walk from the visitor centre to the tip where the large roosts had gathered. Why walk? Because the first shuttle to the tip isn’t until 8 a.m. and we knew these Monarchs would not wait long once the sun got higher in the sky and the temperature rose. Looking up into the treetops as we made our way to the tip we could see several large roosts of Monarch Butterflies.
Monarchs gathered on the east side of the tip taking advantage of the warm morning sun.
By 7:30 a.m. we were on the tip ready and waiting for the Monarchs to become active. Unfortunately, there was still a significant amount of cloud cover and it was a bit cool. Looking at the sky there was one small hole in the clouds that could potentially present a window for the butterflies to leave but it was a narrow one. Clear skies could be seen to the west, but with the clouds moving slow, it looked like it would be several hours before the skies cleared completely.
As the sky cleared and the temperature rose the Monarchs became active.
With the sun slowly emerging Monarchs became active fluttering high in the treetops. One by one a few Monarchs left the tip riding the wind to where the sand and water meet. With conditions still not perfect, many of the butterflies flew back to the trees. What was amazing to see was the Monarchs formerly roosting on the west side of the tip to avoid the strong winds from the previous day were now relocating to the east side to take advantage of the warm morning sun. As the sky cleared, the patient Monarchs soaked up the sun with outstretched wings.
Monarch Butterfly in flight off the tip of Point Pelee.
With the sky now totally clear and a northwest wind, Monarchs began leaving the tip 5 and 6 at a time. Standing in the sand I watched as a constant wave of butterflies passed by overhead and at eye level. It did not take long for the mass exodus to happen and those arriving at the park late missed the entire spectacle. By mid-morning, almost all of the Monarchs were gone. In fact, I overheard many park visitors remark “where are all the Monarchs”?
Several Monarchs were observed puddling on the beach before crossing Lake Erie.
As the day progressed, more Monarchs made their way through the park taking advantage of the northwest wind. Most were observed high overhead clearly migrating. By mid-afternoon, a few Monarchs were observed down low nectaring on both goldenrod and woodland sunflowers but it was evident most had left the park.
Grapevine and other vegetation provided the perfect staging area for Monarchs to wait for the cloud cover to pass.
Since September 11, evening roosts of Monarch Butterflies at Point Pelee National Park have been substantially smaller. Will we see more large roosts of Monarch Butterflies filling the trees at Point Pelee National Park again this year? Only time will tell. It is not uncommon to see Monarch caterpillars on Milkweed plants in mid-September in Southwestern Ontario. Once these large caterpillars form a chrysalis it takes two weeks for them to emerge as butterflies so another large wave of Monarchs could happen. In fact, the largest roost of Monarchs reported from Point Pelee last year wasn’t until October 14.
If you missed out on these large roosts and are hoping for another wave of Monarchs to gather within the park, follow Pelee Paradise Sanctuary Monarch Waystation 10275 on Facebook for daily counts.
Monarch Butterfly.
Witnessing this incredible migration of the Monarch Butterfly was one of the greatest things I have observed in nature. If you have never experienced this yourself, I highly recommend following the daily reports closely and plan your visit to Point Pelee National Park accordingly.
Good birding,
Paul
*My2019 calendarshave arrived and are now available for purchase. For more information including the images featured and how to purchase, please follow the link provided.*
Monarch Butterfly migration is underway. This roost was observed Saturday evening at Point Pelee National Park.
During the month of September, I try to make a trip to Point Pelee National Park to observe the annual fall migration of the Monarch Butterfly. I usually schedule my visit for the 3rd week of the month as this is typically when Monarchs move through the area in good numbers. This also coincides with my birthday and I cannot think of a better way to celebrate than at this beautiful park.
The sight of a Monarch roost is quite spectacular. Watching these delicate butterflies stack together like shingles on a roof is truly magical.
In 2015 my timing was pretty good as I was treated to large quantities of Monarchs during the day throughout the park and evening roosts were estimated to contain over 1000 Monarchs.
Last year, my timing was not so good, as I only observed one Monarch all day, a lone butterfly seen just off the tip heading south. Monarch migration seemed to take place a bit later last year as numbers peaked in early October.
This year I had planned once again to visit the third week of September and hoped the Monarchs would cooperate. This plan quickly changed Saturday morning.
With so many Monarchs congregating around the tip roosts were easy to find.
After working for a few hours Saturday morning, I took a break and checked social media. I do this each morning to see what interesting things are happening in terms of birding and nature. After reading a report of a conservative estimate of 10,000 Monarchs roosting the previous night at the tip of Point Pelee I quickly messaged my partners in “Team Monarch” who I spent several seasons raising Monarchs with to see if they had heard the news. It did not take long before a trip to Point Pelee National Park for later that day was organized.
Monarch Butterflies roosting.
The three of us left for the park at 4:00 p.m. which would give us roughly 2 hours before dark to observe these impressive roosts. Once at the park, we jumped on the shuttle at the Visitor’s Centre and headed for the tip.
The wind at the park was strong out of the northeast, so we focussed our efforts on the west side of the tip where the Monarchs would be somewhat protected from the strong winds. Looking up into the trees we were treated to thousands of Monarch Butterflies huddled together, by far the biggest roosts I have ever witnessed. It’s hard to find a word to describe this experience but magical definitely comes to mind.
Roosts were estimated at 6000 Monarchs, a bit lower than the previous night. It was believed that some of the butterflies may have moved north away from the tip to escape the strong wind and were somewhere out of sight.
Watching this sunset from the West Beach was the perfect ending to an amazing day.
Leaving the park we could see the colourful sky through the trees to the west. We pulled into the West Beach Parking lot and walked out on the sand. I’m really glad we did as we were treated to one of the most amazing sunsets I have ever seen. This was the perfect way to end an incredible day.
Over the coming days, we are expected to receive the remnants of hurricane Gordon. Cooler temperatures and substantial rain will likely mean this large concentration of Monarchs will remain in the park until the weather breaks. When it does, look for these Monarchs to leave the tip heading south continuing their journey to Mexico. With sunny skies and a northwest wind predicted for Tuesday, a mass departure could happen.
With large numbers of Monarch Butterflies being observed at Point Pelee National Park, now is the perfect time to plan a trip.
If you are wanting to experience this amazing migration now may be your best chance. For updates on Monarch numbers within the park follow Pelee Paradise Sanctuary Monarch Waystation #10275 on Facebook for up to date reports.
Due to their similar appearance Monarch Butterflies and Viceroy Butterflies are easily mistaken for each other.
Butterfly identification can be extremely challenging. Often times only a slight variation in colour or marking is what separates two similar butterflies. Their small size combined with their propensity to not stay motionless very long often adds to the challenge of identification. Knowing what to look for can help achieve a quick and positive identification.
The Monarch Butterfly (top) and Viceroy Butterfly (bottom) are often found in similar habitats throughout Southwestern Ontario.
Two virtually identical butterflies found in Southwestern Ontario are the Monarch and the Viceroy. At a quick glance, these two butterflies can easily be mistaken for each other. Fortunately, there are a few distinguishing characteristics I look for when out in the field to differentiate between the two.
The black line running across the hindwings of the Viceroy Butterfly is visible from both the top and bottom.
The most obvious way to tell the difference between a Monarch and a Viceroy is by looking at their hindwings. The Viceroy displays a black line that runs across the hindwings, which the Monarch does not have. This line is visible from both the top and bottom making it particularly easy to see when the butterfly is at rest.
Goldenrod readily attracts a wide variety of butterflies including the Monarch (top) and Viceroy (bottom).
A second but less obvious way to separate the Monarch from a Viceroy is by size. Monarchs typically have a larger wingspan than a Viceroy; however, a large Viceroy and small Monarch can have almost the same wingspan, so this characteristic is less dependable.
The third way I differentiate between a Monarch and a Viceroy is by their flight pattern. A Viceroy’s flight is much more erratic and less graceful than that of a Monarch. A Monarch tends to fly smoothly often gliding while making slow turns, whereas a Viceroy displays a more rapid wing beat, glides less frequently, and makes faster, sharper turns.
The Monarch Butterfly (top) lacks the black line running through its hindwings that is visible on the Viceroy Butterfly (bottom).
Perhaps the real challenge of butterfly identification is getting a long enough look to observe any or all of these unique characteristics that each butterfly displays. If you see one of these butterflies and are unsure whether it is a Monarch or Viceroy remember these three traits.
When I am out in the field and see a butterfly in question I quickly run through these 3 characteristics in my mind. If the butterfly is in flight, I will observe the size and flight pattern to get an accurate identification. With lots of practice, I can now confidently recognize the flight pattern of either butterfly. I will then watch for the butterfly to land and when it does, I quickly look to see whether or not the butterfly displays a black line across the hindwings to make certain of my identification.
Monarch Butterfly nectaring on a sunflower.
Next time you are out in the field and question whether you see a Monarch or a Viceroy, try observing these characteristics to assist you with identification. As mentioned previously, looking for the black line across the hindwings is by far the easiest and most accurate method to positively identify these similar butterflies, but with a little time and practice recognizing size and flight pattern will soon become apparent too.
Southwestern Ontario is home to a wide variety of butterflies and getting out during the summer months to enjoy their beauty is especially satisfying. I think you will find that recognizing these three characteristics will be incredibly useful in helping you positively identify Monarch and Viceroy butterflies.
Creating a Monarch Waystation is a simple, inexpensive measure anyone can do to help this at risk butterfly.
In the summer of 2015 I decided to designate a portion of my yard for the construction of a butterfly garden. I wanted to create a large habitat attractive to all pollinators, but in particular the Monarch Butterfly. After doing some research and following the guidelines laid out by Monarch Watchand their Monarch Waystation Program, I decided on the plants I wanted and came up with a size and shape for my garden. My existing garden already consisted of several of the plants required for a Monarch Waystation, but I wanted to increase the size of my garden and the variety of the plants within it. In particular I wanted to add more milkweed in hopes of eventually having Monarch Butterflies reproduce in my garden. I spent the first few weekends that September constructing the garden in anticipation of the fall native plant sale that takes place each year at the St. Williams Nursery. For those of you not familiar with this nursery, they specialize in native plants found in our area, and I knew I would be able to find everything I needed to complete my garden at this annual event.
Swamp Milkweed is an excellent choice for wet areas. The purple blooms provide an excellent nectar source for adult butterflies, while the leaves provide food for Monarch Caterpillars.
As expected, I was able to find everything I wanted at the plant sale and was especially impressed by both the quality of the plants and the prices. I ended up coming home with a wide variety of native wildflowers including four varieties of milkweed. My garden already contained Common Milkweed that I had grown from seed, but I purchased several more plants as I wanted to have a more substantial patch in one particular section of my garden. The other varieties of milkweed I purchased were Butterfly Weed, Swamp Milkweed, and Sullivant’s Milkweed.
When I returned from the sale I quickly got to work getting everything planted. As part of the planning and construction of my garden, I had already marked out where I wanted everything based on plant height and light requirements. Many of the plants I purchased were still in bloom, and it wasn’t long after getting them in the ground when I observed several bees moving from flower to flower.
Butterfly Weed is a low growing variety of milkweed. The beautiful orange blooms are a great food source for all pollinators and as is the case with all types of milkweed is a host plant for the Monarch Butterfly. This sign on my fence indicates that my yard has been certified as an official Monarch Waystation.
Meeting the criteria set out by Monarch Watch for their Monarch Waystation Program, I submitted an application form and registered my garden as an official Monarch Waystation. A few weeks later, I received my certificate and metal sign, which I proudly display on my fence overlooking my waystation.
Despite their recent drop in numbers, I had always observed a few Monarch Butterflies in my yard each year, typically during their fall migration as they would stop briefly to feed on my goldenrod and other late blooming wildflowers. To my knowledge, I had never had a Monarch Butterfly reproduce in my yard as I would often check the milkweed for eggs, caterpillars, or any signs of caterpillars including leaves that had been chewed or even droppings, also known as frass. I was optimistic that with my new larger garden and wider variety of milkweed this would eventually change.
As we entered spring of 2016, I was excited to see all of the plants I had added the previous fall emerge form the soil. I found myself out in the garden almost daily pulling weeds and watching as each plant grew. By summer, my garden had filled in nicely and everything was in bloom. Watching bees and other butterfly species move from flower to flower was quite rewarding, but unfortunately still no signs of Monarch Butterflies reproducing.
In the fall of 2016, I photographed this tagged Monarch Butterfly nectaring on my New England Aster.
Even without any signs of Monarch Butterflies reproducing in my waystation, I was still very happy with my creation. I spent many hours that first year watching and photographing bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds as they all benefited from the habitat I provided. In September of 2016, I observed a tagged Monarch Butterfly as it nectared on one of my New England Asters. I was able to photograph the butterfly and read the number on the tag, which I submitted to Monarch Watch, as well as other online sites for sharing tagged Monarch sightings including various Facebook groups. Unfortunately, I never found out where the Monarch originated, but was still happy to see that my waystation was providing a food source for this particular butterfly as it made its long journey south to its wintering grounds in Mexico.
Monarch Butterfly nectaring on my Butterfly Weed.
Spring of 2017 was virtually a carbon copy of 2016, I was out in the garden almost daily pulling weeds and watching plants emerge for another season. What was more challenging this year was that many of the plants had spread, so I had to be extra careful making sure that I was in fact pulling weeds and not any of the beneficial native plants that were now showing up in areas where I had not planted them. With the spread of these plants I am now planning to transplant many of them this fall and have already started designing another butterfly garden for my front yard.
This Monarch Butterfly egg was found on the underside of a Common Milkweed leaf in my Monarch Waystation.
By the end of May, I had observed several Monarch Butterflies in our area, but none in my yard. I began searching my milkweed plants for eggs and caterpillars, but still no sign of them. Eventually in mid-June despite having not seen a Monarch Butterfly in my yard, I discovered the first egg on the underside of a Common Milkweed leaf in my garden. Finally, a sign that Monarch Butterflies were reproducing in my waystation. As weeks passed, I continued to find more eggs throughout my waystation and even a few small caterpillars.
Monarch Butterfly laying an egg on the underside of a Common Milkweed leaf.
One day in early July, I noticed a Monarch Butterfly as it flew in circles over top of my Common Milkweed patch. I watched as it moved form leaf to leaf depositing several eggs on the underside of the leaves. What was unique about this Monarch was that she was missing the top portion of her left forewing, which made identifying her quite easy. As the month progressed, I noticed an increase in the number of Monarch Butterflies frequenting my waystation and consequently discovered more eggs. About a week had passed from the time I first observed the female Monarch Butterfly with the torn wing when she captured my eye once again moving about my Common Milkweed. I grabbed my camera and watched and photographed as she deposited more eggs on the underside of each leaf. In total, I saw her lay 31 eggs throughout my waystation. A few days passed, and once again the same female with the torn wing appeared in my waystation, again laying eggs. This time I witnessed 36 eggs laid bringing the total that I have seen laid from this one butterfly to 67 eggs.
Creating a Monarch Waystation involves planting a variety of plants not just milkweed. Other flowers both for nectaring and shelter are required. Earlier this month I photographed this Monarch Butterfly as it nectared on a Purple Coneflower.
So far this year, I have observed multiple Monarch Butterflies in my waystation including several females laying eggs. I have enjoyed watching them as they nectar on the various flowers that are now in bloom including many of the milkweed plants. In fact, I have observed more Monarch Butterflies this year than I have by mid-July in previous years, which makes me optimistic that maybe their numbers might be on the rise.
I have observed this female Monarch Butterfly, easily separated from the others by her torn left forewing, lay 67 eggs in my Monarch Waystation.
Those of you that have followed my blog for while now will know that I have particular soft spot when it comes to species at risk, so observing Monarch Butterflies reproducing in my waystation is incredibly rewarding for me. In fact, words cannot describe exactly how this makes me feel. What started out as an idea and a hope nearly two years ago has finally come to be, and I could not be happier.
Monarch Butterfly nectaring on my Swamp Milkweed.
Creating a Monarch Waystation or a similar habitat for Monarch Butterflies in your yard is easier and less expensive than you may think. Suitable plants can be found at many area garden centres and you do not need a large area to designate, simply start with a few plants. If you don’t have a yard of your own, ask a friend if they would be interested in creating a butterfly garden together in their yard. Other options would be at your child’s school, your church, or perhaps convincing your condominium corporation to add one on the property. With habitat loss being one of the biggest threats facing the Monarch Butterfly creating habitat is something anyone can do to make a difference.
With its low height and compact size, Butterfly Weed can be incorporated into even the smallest garden.
Several varieties of milkweed can be purchased at local garden centres with each one having unique characteristics. Some varieties grow tall, some short, while others prefer moist areas. Regardless of your landscape, there is a type of milkweed perfectly suited to it. One thing all milkweed shares in common is that it is the only plant consumed by Monarch caterpillars and therefore the only plant Monarch Butterflies lay their eggs on. Without milkweed there would be no Monarch Butterfly.
I hope this post will inspire you to create your own Monarch Waystation or similar habitat. With a little work and some patience I think you too will see that if you plant it, they will come.
Milkweed is critical to the survival of Monarch Butterfly as it is the only plant consumed by their caterpillars. The City of London needs to make sure areas of Milkweed are protected in city parks.
Earlier this week I published a post City Of London Shows Disregard For Species At Risk regarding the recent pesticide use and mowing of Milkweed in Greenway Park. Through the power of social media, my concerns reached over 15,000 people and were shared with various Monarch Butterfly Groups, including the David Suzuki Foundation. Several concerned citizens, myself included, contacted their City Councillors asking why these actions took place. I have heard back from my Ward 11 Councillor Stephen Turner and learned the mowing occurred as a result of lost soccer balls. Whereas, the pesticides were applied to control Poison Ivy.
It was sad to learn that the City of London mowed the largest patch of Milkweed in Greenway Park over complaints of lost soccer balls.
Here is Councillor Turner’s response:
Thanks to Paul Roedding for noticing the issue regarding the activities in Greenway Park recently. He brought to my attention that a significant area of naturalized meadow adjacent to the soccer fields had been mowed and that this area was well populated with milkweed, which is an important food source and habitat for migrating Monarch butterflies. He also remarked about the use of pesticides in the area as well. I wrote to the City’s Parks and Recreation department to inquire about what had happened and why so I’d like to share the response with you. There is an area around the soccer fields that had grown tall and dense in recent years and regular complaints about this had been filed with City Hall. Soccer players were often losing balls in the meadow and were concerned about any concealed dangers they might encounter while searching for balls. In response, city staff cut the area back to provide a larger buffer to the soccer pitch, in particular, behind the goals. Unfortunately, staff were unaware of the significance of the milkweed or monarch population in the mowed area. Spot application of pesticides was performed along the fenceline of the Greenway pollution control plant to treat poison ivy that had grown in the area. While I have campaigned against the use of cosmetic pesticides, the pesticide application in this circumstance seems reasonable given the public safety risk. Staff have assured me that the area and practice will be reviewed and the appropriate area will be allowed to re-naturalize. I have asked that the sensitive areas be visibly marked out and that city staff be trained to recognize these habitats in order to avoid similar incidents in Greenway or other parts of the city as well. Having been a 9 year member of the Environmental and Ecological Planning Advisory Committee and an inaugural member of the board of ReForest London, I very much share Paul’s concern about our sensitive environmental lands and I will continue to pursue strong environmental policies and practices for our city.
Greenway Park is a beautiful multi-use area along the Thames River, consisting of several soccer fields, an off-leash dog park, a playground, paved multi-use paths, and several natural areas that are home to many of London’s Species at Risk, including the Monarch Butterfly.
A large buffer already existed around this soccer field at Greenway Park. The large brown area in the right of the photo was once a large patch of Milkweed until the City of London mowed it after complaints of lost soccer balls. Similar mowing took place around the entire soccer field.
The area in question is located in the west end of Greenway Park, and surrounds one of the city’s soccer fields. At one end of the soccer pitch once stood the largest section of mature Milkweed plants in the park. I have photographed many Monarch Butterflies here over the years, and have observed this Species at Risk in the same location again this year. Despite there already being a large mowed area around the field and behind the goal, serving as a spectator area, the City of London Parks and Recreation Department mowed an even larger section surrounding the field, disrupting the naturalized area including this large patch of Milkweed. According to Ward 11 Councillor Stephen Turner, the city received complaints over lost soccer balls in the adjacent natural areas containing the Milkweed. Unfortunately city staff were unaware of the significance of Milkweed for Monarch Butterflies and mowed these mature plants.
I searched the few remaining Milkweed plants and found one Monarch Caterpillar, proof that this species was reproducing in the area. I can only imagine the number of other caterpillars or pupa destroyed by this mowing.
This Monarch Caterpillar was discovered in one of the few remaining Milkweed Plants in Greenway Park, proving that Monarchs were reproducing in the area.
Mature Milkweed plants, such as the ones mowed, produce a large taproot and will grow back next season if mowing ceases. It is unfortunate that this situation happened, but is an excellent opportunity to educate everyone about the state of the Monarch Butterfly and the importance of Milkweed. I am happy with Councillor Turner’s response and agree that city staff need to be trained to recognized these sensitive habitats. I would like to see a permanent sign go up in this area to educate all park users about the significance of Milkweed and why this area needs to be protected. It would also serve as a reminder to city staff not to mow the area in the future, as well as be aware of similar habitats in Greenway and other city parks. After all, soccer balls can be replaced at a local sporting good store, Monarchs however cannot.
The Milkweeds seed pods on the mowed plants were not yet mature and therefore will not germinate. The mature plants, with their long taproots will emerge next year if mowing is discontinued.
I am glad to hear Councillor Turner, like me, is opposed to the use of cosmetic pesticides. I would like to see the city perhaps take a closer look at areas where they are considering their use to determine if they are really necessary. We are often told that the safest method of application was used, but let’s not confuse safest with safe. When it comes to harmful chemicals that require a sign telling humans to stay off, they are not safe. I find that many of the city parks and ESAs I visit are using spot control methods of pesticide use for Poison Ivy, but not all of these spots require treatment to keep the public safe. The long term cumulative impacts of pesticide use add up. Many of these pesticides are being used in areas where human access is either limited or prohibited. In the case of Greenway Park, pesticides were used along the hedgerow adjacent to the Greenway Pollution Control Centre. This area is seldom used by foot traffic as the multi-use path is across the road. Anyone walking here would run a far greater risk of being struck by a car than coming in contact with the Poison Ivy. Perhaps signage stating that Poison Ivy is present in an area and to remain on marked trails would be a safer alternative. Signage could also save the city money in the long run as fewer areas would require pesticide use.
Spot applications of pesticides were applied along the hedge on the left side of the photo to control Poison Ivy. This area does not support human foot traffic and leaves me wondering if application was necessary at all.
Despite the unfortunate circumstances and the timing of this mowing, I am pleased with the response from Councillor Turner and the City of London, and would like to thank him for addressing this matter promptly. Acknowledging that a mistake was made, and hopefully using it as a learning experience to prevent it from happening again, provides a slightly positive twist on an otherwise negative situation.
I would like to thank all those who took the time to share my original post or contacted your City Councillor to express your concerns as well. When it comes to environmental issues like these, education is key. In today’s online world we have the ability to reach thousands of people; taking the time to start a conversation and present information in a positive way can often result in change. By coming together as a community, we can all become environmental stewards and make London, Ontario a better place.
Since Milkweed was removed from the noxious weed list in 2014, many individuals, groups, and municipalities have been adding it to landscapes to create habitat for the at risk Monarch Butterfly. So why would the City of London cut it down in Greenway Park?
It is no surprise that Greenway Park in London, Ontario is one of my favourite locations for birding and to take photographs. The mixed habitat and adjacent Thames River are home to a wide variety of wildlife, and those of you that follow me often see posts and images from this area. Several species found in the park are currently listed as at risk on Ontario’s Species at Risk list, making it one of the best places in the city to view these fragile species.
A large flock of Chimney Swifts was observed feeding on the swarms of insects directly above the area where the City of London applied pesticides in Greenway Park.
This past week while visiting the park, I observed the largest daytime flock of Chimney Swifts (currently listed as threatened in Ontario) that I have ever seen circling over the park and Thames River. Mixed in with this flock were several Barn and Bank Swallows (both listed as threatened in Ontario). Basking on the river banks next to the path were both Northern Map Turtles and Spiny Softshell Turtles (listed as special concern and threatened respectively in Ontario). Finally in the open field a little further down the path I observed four Monarch Butterflies (listed as special concern in Ontario). Observing so many Species at Risk in a forty yard section of the park left me feeling happy and optimistic for the future of these fragile species.
The Spiny Softshell Turtle, currently listed as threatened in Ontario, is one of the many Species at Risk jeopardized by the City of London’s use of pesticides in city parks along the Thames River.
As I rounded the corner of the path, I came across a sign stating that pesticides had been used in the area and to stay off. I called the number on the sign to find out more about the pesticide use. The representative from the company that was contracted by the City of London to apply the pesticides gave me an explanation and stated that the method of application was the safest possible method. Understanding their logic, I thanked them for the information and ended the conversation.
Regardless of what we are lead to believe, there is no safe way to apply pesticides.
The reality of this situation is that when dealing with Species at Risk, there are no safe pesticides or safe methods to apply them. That would be like saying there is a safe way to smoke a cigarette. If a sign is required telling humans to stay off, how safe are insects or birds whose weight is measured in grams not pounds? Furthermore, are we really supposed to believe that these harmful chemicals do not make their way into the adjacent river with runoff?
This freshly mowed area was once a large patch of Milkweed, a plant critical to the survival of the Monarch Butterfly. The City of London is responsible for the habitat destruction of this Species at Risk.
Pesticide use has far greater negative impacts than we are often led to believe, and many times the intended target is not the only species being harmed. As an avid nature lover and advocate for Species at Risk, it upsets me to know that our tax dollars are going toward the use of pesticides and potential demise of these species that are supposed to be protected.
These mulched up seed pods are all that is left of a large patch of Milkweed in Greenway Park after it was unnecessarily mowed by the City of London.
In addition to pesticide use, The City of London, for reasons yet to be determined, has mowed the largest section of Milkweed in the park. We all know how important Milkweed is to the survival of the Monarch Butterfly, so I cannot fathom why the city would do this. The really upsetting part is this area was likely still hosting Monarch caterpillars and pupa. I can only image how many future Monarchs were destroyed by this senseless cutting.
This Monarch Butterfly was photographed on the Milkweed in Greenway Park prior to the City of London cutting it down.
These unnecessarily destroyed caterpillars and pupa would have developed into the generation of Monarchs that will soon migrate to their wintering grounds in Mexico. It is this same generation that begins migrating north next spring to continue the cycle.
Monarch Butterfly on the leaf of a Milkweed plant in Greenway Park.
I emailed my City Councillor to express my concerns and he forwarded my email on to the Director of Parks and Recreation for the City of London. I will be interested to hear what their reasoning is for these two acts that jeopardize Species at Risk and their habitat.
If you are as fed up as I am with the ignorance and blatant disregard for Species at Risk and their habitat, by all levels of government, please share this. If you are a resident of London, Ontario, I encourage you to contact your Councillor to express your concerns.
London’s new City Council has the opportunity to become nationwide leaders when it comes to preserving and protecting Species at Risk. Collectively we can work toward becoming the solution and not the problem.
Monarch Butterfly numbers have decreased so drastically in recent years they are listed as a Species at Risk.
With spring less than one week away many people, myself included, are anxious to get back out in their gardens. Gardening for me isn’t just about having an aesthetically pleasing yard, it is about creating habitat for as many species as possible. In the eight years I have been in my current home I have transformed my yard from an area void of trees, shrubs, flowers and wildlife, to a natural area that is now filled with a variety of native flora and consequently visited by several species of bird, insect, and mammal.
The genus Asclepias or Milkweeds are the only host plant for the Monarch Butterfly. No Milkweed means no Monarchs.
Adding Milkweed to my yard last year was an easy decision, as I wanted to do my part to help save the Monarch Butterfly. Monarch numbers have declined so drastically in recent years that they are now listed as a Species at Risk. Milkweed is critical to the survival of the Monarch Butterfly as it is the only plant consumed by Monarch caterpillars. Several Milkweeds are available, all of the genus Asclepias, which are host plants for this fragile butterfly. I chose Common Milkweed because it is native to my area, and has a wonderful fragrance when in bloom.
Monarch Butterfly on a Common Milkweed leaf.
March is the perfect month to start growing Common Milkweed from seed indoors. By germinating seeds now, the small plants will be ready to plant outdoors in your garden after the threat of frost. For those of us in the London, Ontario area, it is recommended waiting until the Victoria Day weekend in May.
Making a small donation to Swift Care Ontario in exchange for a package of Milkweed seeds for your garden is a great way for anyone to help save multiple Species at Risk.
If you wish to obtain Common Milkweed seeds so you can start your own plants indoors, and you wish to help more Species at Risk than just the Monarch Butterfly, a great option exists. Swift Care Ontario, a local, licensed wildlife rehabiltator has put together Common Milkweed seed packages that are available in exchange for a donation to their centre. Detailed instructions for germinating the seeds and transplanting can be found on their website. If you are not familiar with Swift Care Ontario, they specialize in rehabilitating injured and orphaned Species at Risk birds, most notably aerial insectivores, including Chimney Swifts, Common Nighthawks, Bank Swallows, Barn Swallows and Eastern Whip-Poor-Wills. These seed packages are available at local bird feed retailer Hyde Park Feed and Country Store or by contacting Swift Care Ontario. Your donation will help Swift Care Ontario purchase food and other supplies needed in the 2015 season to raise and care for these fragile species. Licensed wildlife rehabilitation centres in Ontario, such as Swift Care Ontario, do not receive funding from the government and rely solely on donations from the public. Not only will your donation help Swift Care Ontario preserve Species at Risk birds, your Milkweed garden will also help preserve Monarch Butterflies in your own backyard. Pick up one of these seed packages today and help save multiple Species at Risk.
If you still haven’t added Milkweed to your garden to help save the Monarch Butterfly, what are you waiting for? Not only is Milkweed essential to the monarch’s survival, it also looks and smells great in any garden. When in bloom, the fragrance from a patch of Milkweed can be taken in from quite a distance. With it’s height, Milkweed is the perfect plant to add to the back row of a garden, or use to conceal unsightly objects, such as gas meters or telephone boxes on front lawns.
A native species to Ontario, Milkweed is perfect for attracting not only Monarch Butterflies but other insects as well. Several species of butterfly readily feed on the nectar from it’s beautiful flowers and other pollinators like bees can be seen gathering pollen throughout it’s bloom. Aphids, gnats, and spiders can also all be found on Milkweed. Dragon and damselflies will quickly be attracted to Milkweed patches to feed on these smaller insects.
This Great Spangled Fritillary feeds on the nectar of a Milkweed flower.Several species of butterfly, like this Red Admiral, are drawn to the nectar of the Milkweed flower.
As the quantity and variety of insects increases in a Milkweed patch, so too will the number of bird species. Insects are a food source to almost all birds and they will soon find quite the smorgasbord within the Milkweed. Some of the bird species I observed this past week feeding on insects in various Milkweed patches include: Yellow Warblers, Warbling Vireos, Cedar Waxwings, Eastern Phoebes, and Eastern Kingbirds.
As you can see, adding a section of Milkweed will not only help the future of the Monarch Butterfly, but will create a diverse habitat for other organisms and thus increase the amount of wildlife in your yard. Definitely a win-win situation for both the monarch and nature lovers too.
Monarch Butterflies clinging to Milkweed and other wildflowers were a welcome sight in Greenway Park.
By now most are aware of the decline in Monarch Butterfly numbers and that Milkweed is necessary for their survival. So far in 2014, governments, environmental groups, and citizens have all been taking measures to ensure the survival of this beautiful butterfly. For the most part, this has been in the form of planting various types of milkweed and protecting existing patches.
On my many outings throughout the city this year I have been paying close attention to milkweed patches, checking for any signs of monarchs. Early June produced a single monarch fluttering over a meadow containing various wildflowers, milkweed included, in the west end of Greenway Park. I was optimistic for future sightings and hoped that this area would potentially be a breeding ground for the monarchs.
Several Monarch Butterflies in a large meadow containing Milkweed and other wildflowers has me hopeful their numbers will rebound.
As weeks went by, I continually checked this area hoping to see more monarchs or evidence that they had been reproducing. Several insects, including bees and other butterfly species could be seen feeding on nectar and gathering pollen from the milkweed and various wildflowers, but unfortunately no more monarchs were seen, nor were any eggs or caterpillars. My optimism faded, but I continued to observe the area whenever I found myself walking there.
My faded optimism quickly turned into excitement this past week when another monarch sighting took place. I was photographing some of the various birds and wildlife in the area, which on this day included: Yellow Warblers, Red-winged Blackbirds, an Eastern Kingbird, and White-tailed Deer, when I caught a hint of back and orange flutter past. To my delight it was a Monarch Butterfly. I watched as it flew back and forth over the meadow eventually settling on a Milkweed flower. I quickly snapped several photos then watched as it flew off over the field. Satisfied with my sighting and photos my attention returned to the deer and bird species.
As I watched a doe grazing on the variety of plants, once again a monarch passed by. As I carried on a little further, another Milkweed plant revealed a Monarch Butterfly feeding on it’s nectar. Curious as to whether it was the same butterfly covering a lot of ground or multiple Monarch Butterflies in the area, I scanned the tops of the flowers. I quickly observed several Monarch Butterflies fluttering low over the meadow and clinging to the Milkweed and various wildflowers within it.
Monarch Butterfly on a Milkweed leaf.
Having only seen one Monarch Butterfly in all of 2013, and not within the city, this was a welcome sighting. Whether or not it is a sign of their numbers rebounding, or just one small group in a dwindling population, only time will tell. Hopefully another generation of monarchs will get their start here in one of London’s beautiful parks. To access Greenway Park, turn onto Greenside Avenue from Springbank Drive and follow the road into the park. Be sure to make the quick right hand turn before the pollution control center. I recommend parking in the large lot directly across from the off leash dog area. From there the large patch of Milkweed is on the far side of the soccer pitch. Remember to keep a close eye and ear for all the great wildlife that call Greenway Park home.
