A park spokesperson estimated that more than 15,000 monarchs were counted in the Lake Erie-side park earlier this week.
For a few special days each autumn, Point Pelee is a temporary home to thousands of migrating monarchs.
As soon as favourable conditions occur, they begin one of nature’s greatest journeys by crossing Lake Erie. They cannot linger, for their destination is some 3,000 km further south in the mountains of central Mexico.
Why would this tiny insect make such a monumental journey? The answer lies in the monarch’s food plant.
Milkweed is the only plant that monarch caterpillars eat. It’s believed that both milkweed and monarchs evolved in the tropical regions of Mexico. As the milkweed adapted and its range extended, the monarch followed.
Milkweed is abundant and widespread in Ontario which allows the monarch populations to greatly expand each summer.
During the autumn migration, the visitor centre at Point Pelee National Park provides special programs on monarch migration, daily migration counts where visitors can join a naturalist at the tip to count the butterflies, a summary chart for the migration period, theatre programs and special exhibits.
The Great Lakes are a significant barrier to the monarch’s migration. As they move south, they search for shorter ways across the lake and the Pelee peninsula provides an excellent start.
Point Pelee’s shape funnels the monarchs to the tip.
If the weather is cold, they will roost in trees and wait for warmer temperatures and favourable winds to cross the lake.
If the weather is warm, they will often go directly across the lake without stopping in the park.
Monarch migration at Point Pelee is highly dependent on weather conditions and is, therefore, highly unpredictable. It may take you a half dozen visits before you catch a sizeable concentration.
A longtime friend, Bob Smith of Chatham, Ont. travelled to Point Pelee a few falls ago to catch a glimpse of the migration.
Smith returned home disappointed. Unfavourable weather conditions meant he didn’t even get to see a single butterfly.
As with most things in life, it boils down to luck.
Readers are encouraged to share their travel experiences or questions with Bob by calling 519-354-2000 ext 317, faxing 519-354-9489 or e-mailing bboughner@chathamdailynews.ca.
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