Soaring Migrations: Monarch Butterfly Hotspots
It’s something everyone should witness, at least once. The Monarch butterfly migration, the longest of any butterfly. The Monarch butterflies cover as much as 1,500 miles; their trip spans four generations of butterflies, mystifying the scientists not certain as to how, exactly, they return to the same spots to over-winter. To accomplish such aeronautical feat, they soar, taking advantage of the wind currents to reach such vast distances. Such understanding of the Monarchs might lead more of us to think twice about using pesticides or accelerate our efforts to mitigate the effects of climate change, both threatening their survival.
My family and I witnessed their winter resting place at an Eucalyptus grove in Pismo State Beach, California, where tens upon tens of thousands of fluttering Monarch butterflies gathered to over-winter every year from roughly October through February. There are many other groves all along the coast, including in Pacific Grove. On sunny days, a cacophony of activity ensues, with Monarch butterflies searching for flower nectar and water to drink as well as mating. The Pismo State Beach grove is the largest in United States, with population numbers ranging from 15,000 to over 230,000. It all makes for a spectacular and blazing show of color. For the serious ecotraveler, you can also bicycle or take the Amtrak train to the grove.
