Photo taken 9:30 AM Garland Texas at 216 East Kingsbridge Drive 75040 - Photo Elizabeth Berry
This morning I saw three monarchs in my front yard. Two were females and the third one was too far away to determine the sex. Perhaps the news is getting out about how much the residents of Garland, including our mayor, appreciate the Monarch and their pollinator friends. We have school children at several of our public schools who are also taking care of monarchs this fall--all of which have now progressed to the late end of chrysalis stage and are almost ready to eclose. In addition, Loving Garland Green recently assisted North Garland High School Key Club with the installation of a lovely butterfly garden on their school grounds. We are hoping to install many more in our school yards here in Garland over the coming year. We would also like to add vegetable and fruit gardens. We might as well make sure these pollinators have lots to pollinate.
Female Monarch eclosed morning of November 2, 2015 - Garland, Texas - Photo Elizabeth Berry
This year, my first in the business of rescuing pollinators, I've rescued four Monarchs and two Mexican Fritillaries. The third of my Monarch rescues eclosed this morning and I released her at 10:30 this morning. This release was special because I extended my index finger down into the Mesh Laundry Basket aka "Monarch Condo" and the Monarch hopped on for her first free ride into the wide open spaces. It was my first time to allow a Monarch to hitchhike on my finger and I can report that it is quite a thrill.
Rescued Monarch Butterfly being released at 10:30 am November 2, 2015 Garland Texas - 216 East Kingsbridge Drive 75040 - Photo by Charles Bevilacqua
The Monarch became attached to my finger and it was a while before I could get her to release to snack on some nectar flowers. I was beginning to wonder if she would have to become a member of my family. Fortunately for her she finally decided to opt for the wild blue yonder. With a little bit of luck she will be wintering in the Mexican highlands in a few weeks. Speaking of luck, this female Monarch already has a great deal of luck. Less than 5% of Monarchs complete their life cycle in the wild due to predators, weather, and other environmental factors. However, it is estimated that as many as 95% of rescued Monarchs are able to reach adulthood.
Elizabeth Berry, president Loving Garland Green, tempting the Monarch Butterfly with nectar flowers- November 2, 2015 10:30 AM -- Photo by Charles Bevilacqua
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In case you haven't heard, Texas has a Monarch and Native Pollinator Conservation Plan. You can learn more about that plan at the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department website: http://tpwd.texas.gov/monarch
In addition, other organizations that have joined in these efforts to restore our monarch population include the following:
Texan by Nature http://texanbynature.org
National Wildlife Federation http://www.nwf.org/Pollinators/Monarch.aspx
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
http://www.fws.gov/savethemonarch/