September is the perfect time to catch migratory birds and butterflies on their way south, and the Great Lakes shoreline gives nature-lovers a front-row seat!
Don’t miss Presqu’ile Provincial Park‘s annual Monarchs & Migrants Weekend (September 4-6, 2015), featuring bird banding, monarch tagging, guided adventures, children’s programming and more!
The birds
Birds of prey, like hawks, will move along the shoreline looking for a way over, as they don’t like to cross open water. Small birds, like vireos, warblers and thrushes, have been moving through for a couple of weeks and will continue to do so through October. Shorebirds come in all shapes and sizes — including sandpipers and plovers on their way from the arctic to South America — and watching the different ways they forage is half the fun.
New to birding? Check out our 5 Tips for Birding Beginners post!
You can also watch naturalists band birds before their journey. Find out how bird banding is done, learn what this technique can tell us about bird migration, and get a chance to see the birds up close.
Whether you stroll the 1 km marsh boardwalk trail through the marsh, wander the shoreline, or join a Presqu’ile naturalist on a guided hike, you could easily spot dozens of bird species this weekend.
The butterflies
In late August, monarchs east of the Rocky Mountains begin a southerly journey which will take them over 3,000 km to the mountains of Mexico. Labour Day Weekend is a great time to see these creatures fluttering through Ontario.
The popular monarch tagging demonstration is back, and a few lucky visitors will have the chance to release tagged butterflies. In the mood to explore? Borrow one of our nets and join us on guided Butterfly Searches!
How do I get there?
Located between Toronto and Kingston, just south of Highway 401, Presqu’ile is a wonderful spot for a day-trip.
The Friends of Presqu’ile have the full programming schedule on their website. Pick your favourite events or join us for a full day of bird-and-butterfly fun!