The South Carolina Department of Natural Resources(DNR), under the leadership of Billy McCord, is conducting a study of monarch butterflies that are over wintering in the Lowcountry. The vast majority of monarchs have already migrated south, following the coast to warmer climates. However, monarchs have been observed to stay around throughout the Lowcountry winters in years past. The DNR study is being conducted to learn more about these butterflies.
Marcia Hider, Charlie Moore and Don Smith have volunteered to capture, tag and release monarchs on Seabrook Island from the middle of November until the end of March. Through December 29, the Seabrook team has tagged and released 41 monarchs and recaptured and released 26.With the recent cool weather, monarch sightings in our previously active areas have disappeared, yet we know from past experience that there should still some here on the island.
Please help the Seabrook team locate our monarchs this winter. There are still some nectar plants around and there will be early bloomers starting in March. Look for the butterflies on dandelion, tropical milkweed, elaeagnes, lantana, viburnum, loquat, Carolina laurel and anything else that may be blooming.
The best time for observing monarchs during the winter is on a sunny day when temperatures are in the upper 50’s. You may see them basking in the sun out of the wind, perched on evergreen trees and shrubs.
If you happen to spot any monarchs, please contact the Seabrook team, giving the time and location. The butterflies very likely will have moved on by the time someone follows up, but your sightings will lead the team to additional areas to monitor where Monarchs are likely to be.
Please contact Marcia Hider (768-3166, mhider@bellsouth.net), Charlie Moore(768-0003, tidefisher@gmail.com) or Don Smith(243-9109, smith9109@bellsouth.net) with your sightings.
Submitted by Don Smith