NEW LENOX – If you’re out enjoying area trails or just gardening outdoors, you might notice some colorful friends nearby.
According to the Forest Preserve District of Will County, we have reached the peak of monarch migration season.
“These now-endangered butterflies need to travel 3,000 miles to reach their overwintering grounds in the Sierra Madre mountains of Mexico, and those in northern Wisconsin and Michigan have already begun heading south. According to Monarch Watch, peak time for monarchs in Will County will be from Sept. 8 to 20.” the Forest Preserve District of Will County said Friday.
“It’s during this stretch that we’ll be seeing all the monarchs that have been emerging locally as well as those passing through from up north. There’s also a spot at Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie in Wilmington that is famous for having impressive numbers of monarchs roosting in trees.”
Migrations can even appear as massive swarms that appear on weather radar during this time.
“For example, in 2017 a 70-mile-wide swarm of painted lady butterflies appeared on a weather radar. Even if a giant swarm like that doesn’t happen, set aside some time to venture out in the preserves and do some monarch spotting. Odds are, you won’t be disappointed.”
Have a snap you want to share taken in one of the Will County preserves? You can enter it in the “Preserve the Moment” photo contest here.
