All tagged Monarchs have a unique code so that researchers can know where it was recovered. Kerry Jarvis photo

Imagine the surprise Butterfly Gardens of Saugeen Shores (BGOSS) received this week when they opened up their email and learned the news that one of their tagged Monarchs was recovered in the overwintering roosts of Mexico.

Melitta Smole, one of the founders of Butterfly Gardens of Saugeen Shores explained, “The Monarch was recovered on February 27, some 162 days since it was tagged on September 18 and it travelled over 4,500 kilometers. Its epic journey from Southampton to their overwintering roosts in Mexico is a mystery and marvel as Monarchs fly, flap and glide to a destination they have never been before.”

Kerry Jarvis added, “The odds of having a tag recovered are very small. Butterfly Gardens of Saugeen Shores was ecstatic when we heard the news this week. This brings it all back home to us and reinforces our community’s commitment to protecting Monarch butterflies.”

BGOSS is looking for volunteers. “We are looking for community members to assist us with planting and we have scheduled a training session for volunteers on Friday, June 17 at the Port Elgin Library meeting room from 7:30 pm to 8:30 pm,” said Melitta.

For more information on how to get involved with Butterfly Gardens of Saugeen Shores email them at butterflygardensofss@gmail.com or visit at butterflygardensofss.ca.

Monarch with tag. All tagged Monarchs have a unique code so that researchers can know where a Monarch was tagged and where it was recovered. Kerry Jarvis photo

Butterfly Gardens of Saugeen Shores tagging Monarchs along Captain Spence Path in Southampton. Kerry Jarvis photo

Certificate from Monarch Watch of recovered tag.