Butterflies delight coastal residents as they head south for the winter

By Allison Marlow
Posted 11/7/19

Visitors are arriving in droves from points north this month, flittering and fluttering into backyards and flower gardens.

Autumn and early winter marks the fall migration for butterflies, most …

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Butterflies delight coastal residents as they head south for the winter

Posted

Visitors are arriving in droves from points north this month, flittering and fluttering into backyards and flower gardens.

Autumn and early winter marks the fall migration for butterflies, most notably the celebrated Monarch, as the insect make their way south to Mexico and beyond.

Humans can enjoy the shower of color flickering and swopping through the air by simply taking a walk through one of the visitors’ favorite local spots, Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge.

At the wildlife refuge, volunteers lead Monarch walks every Wednesday and Saturday through November to teach visitors about their colorful visitors. Refuge staff catches and tags butterflies with tiny, numbered stickers. Volunteers in Mexico and South American catch the butterflies once they arrive and record the number before releasing them back into the wild.

The walk typically lasts anywhere from 2.5 - 3 hours and participants should come prepared to walk over 2 miles in soft sand with minimal shade. Water and bug spray are highly suggested.

Walks will be held through Nov. 16 and are limited to 12 participants; please call to make reservations at 251-540-7720.