Photos: Monarchs Migrate to Mexico
Monarch butterflies were released at the Butterfly Station at Farnsworth Middle School for their migration to Mexico.
The Enterprise — Michael Koff
Last look: One of the teen volunteers who helped run the Butterfly Station at Farnsworth Middle School this summer prepares to release a monarch for its flight to Mexico. The iconic species has seen its numbers decrease by 90 percent from the eastern coast of the United States to overwinter in Mexico. Scientists believe the decline is caused by herbicide use and loss of habitat, including less milkweed upon which the butterfly depends.
The Enterprise — Michael Koff
Adios, Mariposa! Jill Dugan’s book appears to take flight, rather like a butterfly, as she reads on Friday to volunteer staff, visitors, and a preschool class at Farnsworth Middle School. The monarchs released that day will take their annual flight to Mexico. Dugan is a Spanish teacher and read the story in both Spanish and English.
The Enterprise — Michael Koff
Farewell: Kiera Larson, 4, holds a monarch butterfly on the tip of her finger. Raised this summer at the Butterfly Station in the Farnsworth Middle School courtyard, which also features a garden of native plants, the butterflies were released on Friday for a flight to Mexico. They should arrive there in late October.
The Enterprise — Michael Koff
With wonder in their faces, three kids each sit in front of a net house to observe butterflies on Friday, the last day of the Butterfly Station at Farnsworth Middle School in Guilderland where visitors learned about the life cycle of butterflies in a program that started on July 26.