September is a month where everyone is on the move. Kids head back to school, adults are back to work, and for many winged creatures in the animal world, it’s time to begin their fall migration.
That’s why Cambridge Butterfly Conservatory is getting ready for its annual Monarch Tagging Weekend, September 14 and 15, 2019. Throughout the weekend, hundreds of monarch butterflies will be tagged and released before they begin their 5000 km migration to Mexico!
DYK: Monarch butterflies travel up to 100 miles a day during their migration south
Monarch Tagging Weekend allows you to be a Citizen Scientist, and help the conservatory and Monarch Watch collect important data about these beautiful, imperiled butterflies. You’ll be able to sponsor a monarch to receive a unique tag, which allows the butterfly to be tracked. As it is tracked, important information is collected about the monarch’s amazing fall migration – which is one of the greatest phenomena in the natural world!
DYK: Monarchs know the correct direction to migrate even though they have never made the journey before!
At Monarch Tagging Weekend, you can take part in educational activities and presentations to help you learn more about these incredible butterflies. You’ll also learn what you can do to be a good monarch ‘host’, and what you can do to attract monarchs to your own back yard. You can even sponsor a migratory Monarch!!
Cambridge Butterfly Conservatory is involved in several initiatives to promote habitat conservation, including being home to a certified Monarch Waystation. This waystation is a specially created habitat that provides a friendly place for monarchs to visit during their migration (it’s almost like an outdoor Butterfly Hotel!). Milkweeds, sedum, black-eyed susan, thistle, and wild carrot as well as nectar from flowers like lilacs and golden rods are all important food sources for monarchs, and are part of the waystation. Make sure you check it out!
Monarch Tagging Weekend takes place Saturday, September 14th and Sunday, September 15th at Cambridge Butterfly Conservatory. The daily schedule of events can be found on their website.