Happening at the Crossroads
June 6, 2007
by Coggin Heeringa
The meadows of Crossroads at Big Creek are alive with orange and black butterflies. The monarchs are back!!! Or at least, the monarchs are here. But they are not the same butterflies which were here last fall, nor has this generation of monarch ever been in Mexico.
Most people realize that monarch butterflies migrate to and from Mexico, but the behavior is more complicated than most people realize. Each autumn, monarchs from our region flutter and soar to several groves of trees in the Sierra Madre Mountains of Mexico. There they rest through the winter. In early, early spring—while it is still deep winter here in the Great Lakes region - monarchs become active and mate.
As the females fly north, they lay their eggs on milkweed plants along the way in the Gulf states. The eggs hatch, the caterpillars eat and metamorphose into butterflies. It is the butterflies from that generation which arrive here in May and June.
Here in Door County, monarch butterflies mate, lay eggs and within a few week, die. But their offspring mate, lay eggs and die. During summers, usually two or three generations of butterflies are born and live out their lives here.
The monarch butterflies that emerge from their chrysalises in fall are the truly amazing navigators. They will make the trip to Mexico. Keep in mind that they are the great-great grand-offspring of the last group that made the flight, and yet, when the days get shorter and night cool, they will go and find the very groves trees their ancestors used. No maps… no directions… certainly no portable GPS units, and yet, they find their way.
Crossroads is pleased to announce that noted monarch butterfly expert Dr. Lincoln P. Brower will present a benefit lecture titled “ Monarch Butterflies of Mexico” on June 12, at 7:00 PM at the Collins Learning Center. This inspiring , award-winning researcher has traveled to Mexico on twelve separate expeditions since he last spoke at Crossroads.
In his new presentation, he will share images from aerial reconnaissance of the overwintering area and he will also regale the audience with tales of his experiences working with the BBC on a fabulous documentary. A suggested donation of $10 will be divided between Crossroads and monarch butterfly projects in Door County. We are especially grateful to monarch researcher, Julie Hein-Frank for helping arrange this exciting program.
We are so excited about monarchs, we will celebrate them for several days. On Monday and Tuesday, June 11 and 12 at 10:00 AM we will offer family programs on monarchs. These programs will include both indoor and outdoor activities, so dress for the weather. On Monday afternoon at 2:00, a car caravan will leave Crossroads for Newport State Park. There we will observe monarch research underway. (Participants are welcome to meet us at the Newport Park Entrance at 3:00. )These activities are free, but participants are responsible for their own transportation and a state park vehicle sticker will be required for admission into Newport State Park.
Beginning this weekend, the Door County Historical Society will begin offering tours of the Historical Village at the Crossroads on Saturdays and Sundays from 1:00-3:00. Costumed characters will recount the history of the area. Small purchases can be made at the Greene General Store. The Wisconsin Wildlife Exhibit in the Collins Learning Center also will be open.
Crossroads at Big Creek is an historical and environmental learning preserve where learners of all ages can focus on science, history and the environment. Trails are open to the public. Dogs (on leash and under control) are allowed. Crossroads is located at the Intersection of Highway 42/57 and Michigan Street ( County TT ) in Sturgeon Bay.
