On the move ...

[MrsZ]

Monarchs are drifting through my garden here in Sarnia, stopping to nectar on my butterfly bushes. Today was overcast and cool and there were still several visitors. I debated, but finally decided to chance releasing 15 adults I had raised, bringing the numbers I have tagged to 39 this summer. I have about another 30 in various stages, but most are small and will be pupating by the time I go back into my Grade 3/4 classroom in 2 weeks. That means we'll have a wonderful release from our school garden this fall. I have found most of my eggs in my own garden on common milkweed and a pot of tropical milkweed. My "secret stash" on the beach has yielded very few eggs and only 1 caterpillar this year. I've noticed a lot of empty eggs, perhaps victims of spiders? I feel good knowing I'm helping increase migration numbers.