The Great Monarch Migration

In mere weeks, a humble insect will begin an incredible journey. The current generation of monarch caterpillars, Danaus plexippus, is preparing to transform and make their annual migration. The butterflies take to the wind as the end of summer draws close, bound for warmer weather in Mexico. Most of the monarchs born in our stretch of the Blue Ridge will depart by mid October, though we may continue to see populations from further north passing through until the first frost. Once in Mexico, hundreds of millions of individuals crowd flowers and hang from trees in enormous roosts- also called bivouacs- while they wait out the winter weather. 

Some of the butterflies in our collection. The three in the bottom left box are monarchs, Danaus plexippus. The middle butterfly is a male, evidenced by the pheromone-producing black spots on the vein of the hind wing called his “pouches.” The top and bottom are females, who tend to have thicker black lines along the hind wing veins and lack these pouches. The box above them holds three commonly confused, but still very cool, Viceroy butterflies- Limenitis archippus. They mimic the coloration of monarchs and are similarly distasteful to predators. Notice the continuous black arc on the hind wing that runs parallel to the wing border present only on viceroy wings.

A female monarch visiting milkweed in our rain garden, likely selecting a suitable plant to host one of her young

When temperatures start to rise and days grow longer in northern Mexico, the monarchs prepare to make their return flight by increasing nectar consumption and beginning to mate. Come March, the butterflies depart- following the spring warmth as it stretches north. On their return flight, the butterflies fly low and stop often to feed and lay eggs. A female monarch may carry more than 300 fertile eggs at a time, and will continue finding new mates as she journeys onward. Mother monarchs are very particular about where they will leave these eggs. While the adult butterflies forage nectar from a variety of flowers, the caterpillars exclusively feed on milkweed species. She carefully examines each milkweed plant she finds and, should it pass her inspection, lays a single egg on the underside of a leaf near the top of the plant. This ensures her caterpillars have plenty of food to grow quickly without competing with others or decimating the plant. 

Monarch caterpillars feed exclusively on milkweed- a plant that is toxic to many other animals. The monarch stores these toxins in its own body so predators learn not to eat them.

Many of you are aware of the monarch butterfly migration; and we all are familiar with the four stages of their complete metamorphosis from egg to caterpillar, then chrysalis and finally adult butterfly.  However, the way these two life cycles interact may come as a surprise. In our region, D. plexippus experiences 4 generations every year. We have two generations of summer monarchs composed of small, short-lived individuals who will only know this land as home. The successors of the second summer monarchs are significantly larger, stronger, and longer-lived (Up to 9 months as a butterfly!) It is this generation, the fall monarchs, that will make the entire flight to Mexico and return more than halfway back, dispersing their eggs the entire return flight. From these eggs emerge the spring generation, who will complete the migration past the US’s northern border, recolonizing their entire native range.

Poster created by Paul Mirocha for Monarch Watch. This stylized map shows the seasonal ranges of monarch migration over North America. Our fall monarchs fly to Mexico before winter, then fly up into the South East in the spring. The next generation continues moving north, recolonizing the northern half of the continent. Summer generations breed in the north until the rise of the next fall generation, who will make the entire migration south to Mexico and halfway back.

Despite being one of the most extensively studied butterfly species, there are still many mysteries entomologists are working to solve. A community science project called Monarch Watch has volunteer participants help generate data about monarch populations during the fall migration. Unfortunately, the winter roosts in Mexico have been rapidly shrinking in recent decades, sparking much of the research and conservation efforts going on now. Leading theories of causes for this decline include habitat loss and resource scarcity. Much of their historic breeding and feeding lands have been converted to farms, making the butterflies’ journey even more perilous.

Monarch Watch is a community science project that began in 1992. Participants catch and tag fall migrating monarchs with a sticker that has a unique code. Data is recorded including the tag code, date, location, and information about the individual, before it is released. In the winter, butterflies are recaptured in Mexico and searched for tags. The data generated is crucial for estimating monarch population change over time as well as predicting migration times, routes, and survival rates.

Helping monarch populations can be an easy feat for anyone with the lawn space to grow a few native plants. Research some local long-blooming wildflowers, especially those that provide plenty of nectar and bloom through fall. Asters, columbine, vervain, mountain mint, and many others are fairly low maintenance native wildflowers that are great nectar sources for pollinators, including monarchs. Milkweed prefers to have a fair amount of space and well drained soil that gets plenty of water. However, there are several varieties that prefer different conditions, so researching a variety that would do well in your area is a great way to support the monarch population.

At our latitude of around 36° 50’ N, monarch tagging begins at the end of the month- August 29. Peak abundance usually occurs in late September, and the last of this year’s monarchs might be seen into early November. As we look forward to watching another generation of butterflies follow in the wingbeats of their great-grandparents, let these beautiful creatures remind you of the enormous cycles that make up nature.

The Summer Rally has Come and Gone...

Our campus and the landscapes surrounding BRDC were buzzing with enthusiastic naturalists this past weekend as we hosted the third rally of 2023, the Mount Rogers Summer Naturalist Rally! BRDC was excited to share programs on topics that included mushrooms, birds, dendrology, watercolor, summer wildflowers, edible/medicinal plants, freshwater snorkeling, salamanders, astrophotography, beaver ecology, land snails, butterflies, ferns, geology, and raptors. On Friday night, Dr. William Hopkins of Virginia Tech gave an excellent presentation on the Eastern hellbender, or “old lasagna-sides,” if you will, and the current status and research he’s conducting on their populations.

Dr. William Hopkins sharing his presentation, “THE RACE TO SAVE APPALACHIA’S GIANT SALAMANDER, THE EASTERN HELLBENDER”.

Ben Casteel leading his edible/medicinal plant walk.

Our youth participants also got to have their own adventures with our Naturalist Educators, Olivia and Brendan. The group focused on nature journaling, stream ecology, tracks and signs, campfire building, insect study, and of course, they had to test out the fire escape slide in the schoolhouse.

BRDC has been tagging monarchs caught on our campus. This one was tagged with the help of the kids at the rally!

Lots of big smiles during all the youth programming activities!

We had over 100 rally participants share meals together in the dining hall, follow their curiosities in the library, and some stayed on the second and third floors to fully immerse themselves in the rally experience. This was the first Summer Rally that we were able to host in the fully restored schoolhouse, and it was really special to see the campus being explored while in full bloom!

Rally participants exploring the diverse underwater world of a Blue Ridge mountain stream.

Participants of the astrophotography program, led by Jay Martin, had beautiful clear skies above Whitetop Mountain.

As always, none of this would have been possible without the knowledge and commitment of our guides and speaker. We also certainly could not have had a successful rally without the help of our volunteers, many of which were local college students from Emory & Henry College and East Tennessee State University.

With another successful rally in the books, we look forward to our upcoming Fall Rally, scheduled for October 13-15th. Make sure to join and help round out our first full year of seasonal rallies! Stay tuned!

Mount Rogers Summer Naturalist Rally this August!

Mark your calendars, the Mount Rogers Summer Naturalist Rally is August 18-20, 2023! At Blue Ridge Discovery Center, our mission is to inspire curiosity, discovery, and stewardship through the wonders of the Blue Ridge and the Rally exemplifies that.

The Mount Rogers Naturalist Rallies cultivate an environment where exploring and discovering the outdoors is exhilarating and lively. During this event, a wide variety of expert guides will lead participants through various naturalist hikes and presentations that inspire us to explore the Blue Ridge and the wonders of the natural world.

There is something for the entire family with field trips Saturday and Sunday, an expert speaker Friday Night, and nighttime programs. Topics include salamanders, wildflowers, geology, birding, snorkeling, cultural history, mammals, medicinal plants, general natural history and much much more! 

Interested in joining us for meals? We will be offering Friday Dinner, Saturday Breakfast, Saturday Lunch, Saturday Dinner, and Sunday Breakfast for those interested in purchasing. These meals will be available for PRE-ORDER ONLY and will not be purchased at the door, so get your meal tickets before they sell out!

Interested in lodging on our campus? Don’t worry, we have some options for you! Rooms and beds in our Schoolhouse are available for rally goers that want to stay on campus. Our Schoolhouse bedrooms are species themed to further display the fascinating flora and fauna that the Blue Ridge has to offer. We also have primitive campsites that are available for reservation.

If you are interested in reading more about our guides or purchasing rally or meal tickets, check our website for updates

Summer Camp Scholarship Opportunity

Do you have a child that loves nature…birds in particular? One that really wants a deeper connection with nature and the wonders of the Blue Ridge? Well, we have a camp for them!

Through the generous donation of Katherine Higgins, the William Roberts Scholarship Fund will provide 10 lucky kids ages 11-17 the opportunity to experience the amazing life of birds…for *FREE!

With our quality binoculars and spotting scopes they’ll see detail, color and action that you could never imagine! Looking for birds is a gateway to enjoying the outdoors that anybody at any level can dive right into. The Blue Ridge is an ideal place to start because of its phenomenal density of bird life, including: eagles, warblers, swallows, herons, wrens, woodpeckers, owls, thrushes, and more! From sunrise to the moonlit night, they’ll have tremendous fun with our expert guides, learning all about the fascinating world of birds. While honing their birding skills, they will also play games, meet other young people with similar interests, participate in citizen science projects, learn field ecology, and explore careers in ornithology. Each participant receives a journal and their very own field guide to study and keep. During the adventure we will identify between 80-100 different species of birds!

If your child has a drive to attend this camp, we encourage you to fill out the Scholarship Application and get ready to explore, discover, and share with BRDC during this Ornithology Camp! Camp runs from June 8th through 11th and is an overnight camp.

*Scholarships are given for both MERIT and NEED. To apply for the scholarship, please submit the following digital form http://blueridgediscoverycenter.org/scholarships. The scholarship application will be open until May 1st, 2022. On May 2nd, BRDC will notify the recipients of the scholarships! For more information on the Camp, visit http://blueridgediscoverycenter.org/ornithology-camp. To learn more about the scholarship contact info@blueridgediscoverycenter.org or call 276.388.3155

BRDC will provide all camp gear, meals, materials, and supplies for all camps. Personal gear, sleeping bag, and toiletries are required by participants.

Summer Camp Scholarship Opportunity

Do you have a child that loves nature? One that really wants a deeper connection with nature and the wonders of the Blue Ridge? Well, we have a camp for them! If you reside in Smyth County, your child may be eligible for a great week of fun outside with our team of guides.

Through the generous support of the Smyth County Community Foundation, Blue Ridge Discovery Center is offering full scholarships for our overnight summer camps! This Foundation supports select initiatives that promote health and wellness within our community. What could be healthier than spending time outside engaged in nature? Check out our summer line-up and apply today!

Get ready to explore, discover, and share with BRDC at one of our unique overnight camps. Youth ages 11-17 welcome at all overnight camps!

Available camps:

• Ornithology Camp - April 23-25 and September 17-19, 2021

  From our basecamp, we will explore the region's top birding hotspots including the New River, Rural Retreat Lake, Whitetop Mountain, Fairwood Valley, Blue Ridge Parkway, and more! During the adventure, we will identify between 80-100 different species of birds!

• Primitive Skills - July 14-17, 2021
  From primitive fire building to tool making and wild harvesting, this camp offers a multidisciplinary approach to wilderness activities including hands-on crafts, natural history, ethnobotany, camping, wilderness adventure, and plain old fun!

• Wilderness Expedition - July 26-30, 2021

  Learn new backcountry skills including meal preparation, orienteering, and fire building! On the trail, you’ll observe and document the wildlife we encounter along the way, including unique birds, trees, plants, insects, mushrooms, salamanders, and many others. Join our expert naturalists and wilderness guides on this journey of discovery through the highest mountains of the Blue Ridge.

BRDC will provide all camp gear, meals, materials, and supplies for all camps. Personal gear, sleeping bag, and toiletries are required by participants.

Butterflies and Community Science

Butterflies are one of the most beautiful elements of the natural world, and scientists now recognize that they can also serve as one important indicator of the health of ecosystems. A dedicated group of naturalists and staff at BRDC gathered together Sunday, September 15th to enjoy their beauty and contribute to a nationwide community science program that conducts long-term monitoring of butterfly populations.

The North American Butterfly Association Count has been held since 1975. BRDC has selected a count area of 15 miles in diameter centered around our Center and Field Station. The staff and volunteers conducted a full day census of all butterflies observed within that circle. We intend this count to provide results useful for scientific monitoring and to track the species/host plants within various assets surrounding our Center.

It is our hope to perform this count three times a year going forward; Spring, Summer and Fall. This recent count, our Fall count, produced 35 different species of butterflies; a great number of species for this late in the season. I am sure 80 degrees and sunshine contributed to the large showing. We also noted nearly 50 monarch caterpillars in a small area of Whitetop Mountain full of milkweed! We hope to add more community participation in the coming butterfly season. Please enjoy some of the photos and our species list below:

Painted lady
Common buckeye
Red spotted admiral
Monarch
Common wood nymph
Viceroy
Northern crescent
Silver spotted skipper
Sachem
Least skipper
Clouded skipper
Peck’s skipper
Tawny edged skipper
Horace’s duskywing
Zabulon skipper
Wild indigo duskywing
Fiery skipper

Eastern tiger swallowtail
Pipevine swallowtail
Spicebush swallowtail
Black swallowtail
Cabbage white
Clouded sulphur
Orange sulphur
Sleepy orange
Cloudless sulphur
Eastern tailed blue
American copper
Variegated fritillary
Great spangled fritillary
Aphrodite fritillary
Meadow fritillary
Pearl crescent
Silvery checkerspot
Red admiral

Young Explorers Club Hike to Linville Falls

The Young Explorers Club set out to see Linville Falls today! Not only did they make it there, they hiked EVERY trail in the park covering over 5 moderate to strenuous miles!

Their feet were ready for that cool water in the plunge pool at the base of the Falls and their bellies were ready for the frozen treat at the end of the day!