Millions of Monarch Butterflies Are Headed Straight for New York This Spring

Spring in New York is one of the most beautiful times of the year. The sound of birds chirping wakes us up in the mornings; our days are filled with blossoming trees and flowers, and the days grow longer as the temperature creeps higher. But those aren't the only telltale signs of spring. New York is also set to welcome visitors that signal spring has finally arrived. Ready or not, you may soon witness millions of monarch butterflies in New York.

If you've been wondering, "When do monarch butterflies come through New York," keep an eye out beginning in mid-May as these beautiful insects begin to arrive after migrating from Mexico. Unfortunately, we won't see as many monarch butterflies as in years past as the population has decreased significantly in the last two decades, predominately due to climate change, lack of food, and the use of pesticides.

The best time to see monarch butterflies in New York is generally from mid-May through mid-October. You may be used to seeing these butterflies in the summer in the Adirondack Mountains, but that isn't the only place to catch them. Take a trip to New York City, another popular gathering spot for monarch butterflies, and count how many you see.

Don't worry if you don't want to travel to see monarch butterflies. Attracting them to your yard is easy and will help the monarchs, who feed off of milkweed. You can buy milkweed plants at your local garden store or purchase milkweed seeds online. Choose from the dozen varieties of milkweed, including common, purple, butterfly, and whorled, that are native to New York.

The best time to plant milkweed is in October or November, ideally around the first frost but before the ground freezes. Winter's cold helps strengthen the seeds' germination in the spring. If you missed the fall planting, you can still plant milkweed in the spring as long as you wait until after the last frost.

Deciding where to plant the milkweed is just as important. Milkweed thrives in areas with full sun or partial shade. If you don't have much time to sit outside to watch the butterflies, consider adding a camera. I love watching the critters who visit my yard, so I've put out several cameras to see the monarch butterflies, bunnies, and deer.

Learn more about this year's monarch butterfly migration path and view a map of where they're headed by visiting the official website of Monarch Watch.

Are there monarch butterflies in New York? Yep! Now you know when to expect them and how to attract these beautiful insects to your yard. Do you know the perfect place - a hiking trail, a local park, or a public garden - to see the monarch butterflies in New York? Share it with us by filling out a nomination form.

If you want to see another type of butterfly - blue Karners - spend a day at Wilton Wildlife Preserve, a little-known park in New York. Or, increase your chances of seeing monarch butterflies by setting off on one of the best hiking trails in New York. Before your next hike, consult the Only In Your State hiking trip packing list.