Monarch Butterflies On A Cape Cod Beach

After raising hundreds of monarch caterpillars and netting almost as many wild butterflies in late September we made our annual trek to the northern end of Cape Cod. There we spend most of our time combing the beach for useful stuff: rope, buoys, animal skulls, fishing gear and clothing. This usually accumulates above the high tide levels and we rarely cover wave edges. 

Typical Sight After a Wave Recedes

Damaged Monarch

Limp Monarch Butterfly Left High on the Beach

Reviving Monarch Butterfly

Because we were in the peak period for Monarch migration, I spent a few hours checking what the waves were leaving behind as high tide receded toward low tide. Water temperatures were much cooler than the air and waves left immobile butterflies on the wet sand. After counting a few dozen I began picking them up and noticed most were very much alive! Holding them in cupped hands and breathing on them made them active but not able to fly.

A Monarch Butterfly Trying to Open Wings Cemented Together by Salt Water

Three Reviving Monarch Butterflies

Because I could only wear a half dozen at a time, I periodically placed groups on flowers or tall grass, the only available vegetation. They spread their wings to catch sunlight but took their time trying to fly. The next day most of three dozen had flown away and only a few were no longer alive.

Wave Beaten Monarchs Drying Out Their Wings on Goldenrod

Monarchs Warming Up on Grass

The shortest distance between parts of Maine and New Hampshire and Mexico is over ocean. They probably want to rest at night and land but have no experience with water. They are very light and float but it's probably impossible to take off again. Wind and waves push them to shore but breakers and advancing waves push them up the beach and damage them. We found many missing parts. But the lucky ones came to shore when waves were receding and these were cold but in good shape. With help some may make it to Mexico but without warming and transport to dry vegetation the next high tide or shore birds would pummel them. A three hour snapshot of a quarter mile of beach yielded three dozen healthy Monarch butterflies. How many folk would spend an hour to rescue a dozen?