Time for the annual migration of the Monarch Butterfly!
The annual migration of North America’s monarch butterfly is a unique and amazing phenomenon. The monarch is the only butterfly known to make a two-way migration as birds do. Unlike other butterflies that can overwinter as larvae, pupae, or even as adults in some species, monarchs cannot survive the cold winters of northern climates. Using environmental cues, the monarchs know when it is time to travel south for the winter. Monarchs use a combination of air currents and thermals to travel long distances. Some fly as far as 3,000 miles to reach their winter home!
North Carolina’s Monarchs make a second home in the Sierra Madre Mountains of Mexico while the Monarchs in Western North America (west of Rocky Mountain range) overwinter from October to late March along the Pacific coast near Santa Cruz and San Diego in California.
Monarchs roost for the winter in oyamel fir forests at an elevation of 2,400 to 3,600 meters (nearly 2 miles above sea level) where the humidity assured the temperature is high enough so they will not need to use their fat reserves. Monarchs cluster together to stay warm. Tens of thousands of monarchs can cluster on a single tree.
Monarchs can travel between 50-100 miles a day; it can take up to two months to complete their journey. The farthest ranging monarch butterfly recorded traveled 265 miles in one day.
Monarch – Clear Creek Fir Brandy, Elderflower liqueur, lemon juice,
agave syrup, mint leaves
Float Like A Butterfly – Clear Creek Fir Brandy, honey syrup, lemon juice,
chamomile bitters, Champagne topper
Electric Blue Butterfly- Brandy, curacao, lemonade, Sprite
Hookah Butterfly – Cherry brandy, rum, curacao, Sprite
Violet Butterfly – Brandy, lemon juice, hyacinth syrup, cucumber
Fruit Flight (1/2 price)