Tagging a butterfly is a delicate and exciting experience

Kidz Zone, the summer program at the Bruce County Museum and Cultural Centre, had a treat in store on Tuesday (Aug. 28) when the Butterfly Gardens of Saugeen Shores swooped in and took everyone out to Fairy Lake to learn how to tag Monarch butterflies.

Kerry Jarvis, Melitta Smole and Barb Wilner began the morning with a craft project that had each youngster create a Monarch ‘crown’ and then go through the technique of netting a Monarch.

                    Kerry Jarvis explains the netting technique
The ‘Pied Piper’ of Butterflies, Kerry Jarvis leads everyone outside to search out Monarchs

From the Museum’s Bruce Power Theatre, the outdoor active fun began as everyone began their ‘hunt’ for Monarchs in the Museum garden and then move to Fairy Lake.

Kerry Jarvis points out the delicate wings of a Monarch
Brooklyn shouts ‘Adios Amigos’ as she releases her tagged Monarch

Whenever a Monarch was spotted and then netted to be tagged, it was a moment of excitement for the youngsters who had learned to be gentle with the insects, tag them carefully and then, on release, they would shout “Adios Amigo” in anticipation of the butterflies’ winter trek to Mexico.

                           Determining if it’s a male or female Monarch

Tomorrow, Friday August 31st, is another big tagging day for all ages. Everyone interested in experiencing tagging a butterfly is invited to join Butterfly Gardens of Saugeen Shores at the ‘big flag’ in Southampton on the Captain Spence Trail at 10:00 a.m.

                 Sylvia Smith releases her tagged Monarch with an excited ‘Adios Amigos’