Did you know that every fall, you could see the journey of millions of Eastern North American monarch butterflies right here in Ontario?
Just like migratory birds, monarch butterflies migrate from north to south, and are are the only species known to do so. From late August through October, they’ll travel up to 3000 – 4000 kilometers from the southern regions of Canada to overwinter in the warmer mountain fir forests of central Mexico, before returning north in the spring to lay eggs and start the cycle over again.
The journey is completed over multiple generations, with the final “super generation” that emerges in late summer able to live up to eight months, which is significantly longer than the prior generations.
Here in southern Ontario, we have a number of locations to witness the annual event, as we are home to the milkweed-rich habitats where they breed. If you’re hoping to catch the fluttering migration, consider these destinations not far from Toronto!
Point Pelee National Park, which encompasses Ontario’s southernmost point, helps funnel the migrating monarchs as they set across Lake Erie. In mid-September, you might be able to spot thousands congregating in the trees or roost in nearby clearings before they set out on their journey.
Rondeau and Long Point Provincial Parks are another good place to spot clusters of monarchs, with known staging areas during the fall migration peak.
Presqu’ile Provincial Park, Pelee Island and Essex County are rife with wildflowers where the monarchs are known to rest.
During both spring and fall, the Prince Edward Point Bird Observatory, which has been officially designated as an International Monarch Butterfly Reserve, is another great vantage points to spot migrating monarchs.
In Toronto, you can even see them in natural havens like High Park, which attract the monarchs which feed on late-blooming nectar plants.
For your best bet to enjoy the peak migration season, the ideal timing is from mid-September to early October. Calm, warm conditions usually result in the most sightings, and either sunrise or sunset are the best opportunity to see monarchs take off en masse from their roosts. You can also check your local park updates to better plan the optimal time to see the largest concentrations of monarchs.
Unfortunately in recent years, monarch populations have dwindled due to numerous threats, including the loss of milkweed habitat due to urban and agricultural development, pesticide and herbicide use, and deforestation or climate changes.
Thankfully, conservation efforts by organizations like the Nature Conservancy of Canada and Ontario parks are working at restoring habitats and maintaining staging areas. If you’d like to help, you can do your part by planting native milkweed and nectar flowers to provide essential breeding and feeding habitats.
Here’s hoping for another safe and successful migration season for the beautiful butterflies!