Monarch Watch Release, Proud Lake, Michigan

The group drove from the library to Proud Lake, horse staging area, and there was a whole field of Milkweed. Butterflies of several varieties were flying around. While the children were having a fun running through the fields after butterflies, Diane was setting up the release station. She called in the children to start with the tagging, she showed us the tags. Each tag number could be traced back to give the information about the sex, where they were raised, if wild or  hand raised and where they were released. If found the person can call the number and give the tag number so the University can track the where abouts of the Monarchs.

Enjoy this video of a child experiencing the joy of releasing this beautiful Monarch butterfly. 

After all the children had released a butterfly, the adults were able to do the same. It came to my turn and the butterfly that I was given did not want to leave. It finally spread its wings and flew, right on to the forehead of  one of the parents. 

The people of Mexico, where the butterflies end their journey before returning back to the United States, collect the butterfly tags off the butterflies that die throughout the winter and fall on the ground. The University and the Conservation Stewards, pay 50 pesos for each tag. To the people of the small Mexican town, this is a source of income. The logging of the trees where the butterflies roost is no longer legal, so the butterflies are able to have a safer haven to return to in their Mexican town. 

Just before I left, this beautifully tagged Monarch, returned to the releasing station, as if to say goodbye. Goodbye, adios beautiful lady. Safe travels.

If you would like more information on the Monarch Watch, please go to their website. Plant a milkweed or necture plants to help keep this beautiful butterfly around for generations to come.

Remember the caterpillar I found on my Milkweed? Well, it is now a beautiful butterfly. I named her Lucille. I wish her safe passage to Mexico.