West Side Rag
  • TOP NEWS
  • OPEN/CLOSED
  • FOOD
  • SCHOOLS
  • OUTDOORS
  • REAL ESTATE
  • ART & CULTURE
  • POLITICS
  • COLUMNS
  • CRIME
  • HISTORY
  • ABSURDITY
  • ABOUT US
    • OUR STORY
    • CONTRIBUTORS
    • CONTACT
West Side Rag
No Result
View All Result
SUPPORT THE RAG

Search the site

No Result
View All Result
Get WSR FREE in your inbox
SUPPORT THE RAG

Central Park Birding Report: Chasing Butterflies

August 22, 2022 | 11:49 AM
in NEWS
4

Text and Photographs by Boysenberry45

Experienced birders do not bemoan the lack of birds in Central Park during the summer — they turn to chasing butterflies (and dragonflies), which proliferate in these hot summer months.

There are over 18,500 different species of butterflies worldwide, occupying every continent, except Antarctica. While Central Park has fewer species, it is still well-populated with these ephemeral beauties. Unlike birdwatching, which is best in the early morning hours around sunrise, butterflies do not get really going until the sun is high and hot, so you can sleep in and still catch the show.

One of the most majestic butterflies and most easily identified is the Monarch, purported to be named for England’s King William III, because his secondary title was the Prince of Orange, the main color of this species. Monarch Butterflies, also known as Milkweed Butterflies, lay their eggs on the underside of the common milkweed’s leaves and then eat the same leaves once they have hatched into caterpillars.

There are four stages of the average butterfly’s life cycle: egg (miniscule), larva (caterpillar), pupa (chrysalis or cocoon), and  imago (adult).

Egg (miniscule).
Larva (caterpillar).
Pupa (chrysalis or cocoon).
Imago (adult).

Unfortunately, the Monarch was added to the list of endangered species by the International Union for Conservation of Nature last month. “That’s two steps from extinct in the wild,” the AP reported. “Scientists blamed the monarchs’ plummeting numbers on habitat loss, climate change, and pesticide and herbicide use.”

The reporter suggested the following: “If everyone reading this planted one milkweed plant, the benefit would be palpable. Milkweed (Asclepias spp.) is the only plant monarch caterpillars eat, and it’s where the adult butterflies lay their eggs. Without it, the species simply could not exist.”

Today, Central Park has many locations to look for Monarch Butterflies. A great place to start is one of the four Butterfly Gardens in the North Meadow.

Share this article:
SUPPORT THE RAG
guest

guest

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

4 Comments
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
cpwpj
cpwpj
2 years ago

Where can we get milkweed plants?

2
Reply
Linda
Linda
2 years ago

Garden centers have them. Or you can order seeds or plants online. Be careful if you handle the plants, they can irritate your skin.

3
Reply
Elisabeth Jakab
Elisabeth Jakab
2 years ago

Thank you for this lovely tutorial. Hoping everyone plants milkweed everywhere. I am indoors so cannot help – wish I could. They are so wonderful. And essential.

2
Reply
NYYgirl
NYYgirl
2 years ago

Please only plant local milkweed. The tropical milkweed could interfere with the monarchs’ migration pattern/timing. Thank you!

2
Reply

YOU MIGHT LIKE...

Recreational Boats Could Return to UWS In 2028: Update on 79th Street Marina Project
NEWS

Recreational Boats Could Return to UWS In 2028: Update on 79th Street Marina Project

May 21, 2025 | 1:24 PM
COLUMNS

Openings & Closings: The Throwback; Fellini; 2nd Street; Vuori; Bagel Talk; Strand Books

May 21, 2025 | 8:52 AM
Previous Post

Sunken Yacht to be Raised From River Soon

Next Post

Well-Paid Maids: Working Toward National Change (and Cleaner Homes)

this week's events image
Next Post
Well-Paid Maids: Working Toward National Change (and Cleaner Homes)

Well-Paid Maids: Working Toward National Change (and Cleaner Homes)

The UWS State Senate Democratic Primary: Bail Reform Is On the Ballot

Updated: The UWS State Senate Democratic Primary

District 12 Cliff Notes

District 12 Cliff Notes

  • ABOUT US
  • CONTACT US
  • NEWSLETTER
  • WSR MERCH!
  • ADVERTISE
  • EVENTS
  • PRIVACY POLICY
  • TERMS OF USE
  • SITE MAP
Site design by RLDGROUP

© 2025 West Side Rag | All rights reserved.

No Result
View All Result
  • TOP NEWS
  • THIS WEEK’S EVENTS
  • OPEN/CLOSED
  • FOOD
  • SCHOOLS
  • OUTDOORS
  • REAL ESTATE
  • ART & CULTURE
  • POLITICS
  • COLUMNS
  • CRIME
  • HISTORY
  • ABSURDITY
  • ABOUT
    • OUR STORY
    • CONTRIBUTORS
    • CONTACT US
  • WSR SHOP

© 2025 West Side Rag | All rights reserved.