From bird-banding demonstrations to tagging monarch butterflies, community members are invited to watch and learn about the fall migration of birds, butterflies, and insects by attending an educational event in Northumberland County on the Labour Day weekend.
The Friends of Presqu’ile Park, a charitable organization devoted to preserving and protecting the natural heritage of Presqu’ile Provincial Park, is inviting the public to join park staff and volunteers on Saturday, August 30 and Sunday, August 31 for “Monarchs and Migrants Weekend” at the Presqu’ile Provincial Park, which is located at 328 Presqu’ile Parkway in the Municipality of Brighton.
Visitors will learn why birds are banded and can join Don Davis, guest field naturalist, to watch live monarch butterfly tagging and learn more about the insects’ annual migration.
Monarchs and Migrants Weekend is an important educational and environmental event, according to Beverlie Cook, communications committee chair for The Friends of Presqu’ile Park.
“We want to build awareness about the many species that inhabit the park and to cultivate an understanding of the need to protect them for generations to come,” Cook told kawarthaNOW.
She said that goal drives the programs presented at the park all summer long through the Ontario Parks’ “Discovery Program.” The “Discovery” team, alongside the Friends of Presqu’ile Park, offers four special event weekends each year highlighting some of the natural and cultural features of Presqu’ile.
“The goal of these special Discovery Programs is always to provide opportunities for visitors to learn more about the lives of the inhabitants of Presqu’ile Provincial Park,” Cook noted.
“There will be guided bird walks to allow visitors to see the many species of shorebirds fuelling up before beginning their long fall migration to their winter homes. There are 25 species of shorebirds regularly seen at Presqu’ile. They often stay well into late fall if the weather remains warm enough.”
Cook said the best outcome for the weekend would encompass favourable weather, several visitors enjoying the many habitats of the beautiful park, and plenty of birds and monarchs to observe.
“Presqu’ile can be a great spot to see migrating monarch butterflies during the first two weeks of September,” Cook noted. “A highlight is always the monarch butterfly tagging.”
This will be the 41st year that monarchs will be tagged at the park. Presqu’ile attracts so many monarchs because of its abundant supply of nectar sources and milkweed – the monarch butterfly’s main food sources.
“The monarchs need to fuel up before their long migration to Mexico,” Cook said.
Another feature of the Monarchs and Migrants Weekend is a children’s program at the Nature Centre. The Nature Centre, Lighthouse Interpretive Centre, and Friends of Presqu’ile Gift Shop will all be open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. There will also be the final Friends of Presqu’ile Park’s fundraising barbecue for the season at the amphitheatre on Saturday between 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m.
Program details for the Monarchs and Migrants weekend are still being finalized, but park staff and volunteers will have a full slate of activities for visitors, Cook said. Programs are open to campers and day visitors alike, and are free with park admission.
A detailed schedule of events and demonstrations will be posted on social media and around the park. Check out The Friends of Presqu’ile Park’s website at www.friendsofpresquile.on.ca for more information, including links to the group’s social media accounts.
The Friends of Presqu’ile Park works to enhance the educational opportunities for park visitors, to provide volunteer assistance for park activities, and to provide funding for selected educational and environmental projects.
