GreenWatch Sunday Morning Television: Monarch Butterflies

Today’s GreenWatch Sunday Morning Television is published as a companion to GreenWatch Sunday, November 4, 2018 about the incredible year round bird migration in the region in which we live. To read today’s Bird Migration piece, CLICK HERE.

An incredible traveler that depends on our region for both breeding and migration is the very recognizable and iconic Monarch Butterfly.

If you live in our region, you have probably seen them during thte summer and fall months. They are a big part of our local natural heritage. This beautiful and highly iconic orange and black butterfly is in decline and is being considered for the endangered species list. Its dependence on our region and our stewardship of the habitat it depends upon plays a critical role in this species survival.

In the weeks since early September, millions of Monarch Butterflies have been migrating through Western New York from breeding areas north of here. During the last week of October, many were still being seen in our region. They are on their amazing journey to a small mountaintop region in the highlands of central Mexico. This week, the Monarchs that have survived the long migration are beginning to arrive in Mexico.  If you live in our region, you have probably seen them. They are a big part of our natural heritage. This beautiful and highly iconic orange and black butterfly is in decline and is being considered for the endangered species list. Its dependence on our region and our stewardship of the habitat it depends upon plays a critical role in this species survival.

For Updated Reports: CLICK HERE

Monarch Butterflies Migrating, Roosting, and Resting at Times Beach Nature Preserve, Buffalo, New York September 2, 2018.

Throughout September and October there were many days where hunderds of migrating Monarchs stopped at this important Nature Preserve on Buffalo’s Outer Harbor. Years of work by dedicated people have helped to make this possible.