Monarch Butterfly MEGA

A trip down to the south coast on a half day brought a fantastic sighting via bird guides
- A MONARCH Butterfly. Also further views of a distant SBD from the housing estate.

Monarch, taken 7th Sept 2012 at Easton, Portland

This species is the largest butterfly seen in the British Isles, and is also one of our rarest migrants. This butterfly is known for its ability to migrate across large distances. The migrations in north America are one of the greatest natural phenomena in the world - where the adult butterflies can migrate from as far north as Canada to the overwintering grounds in very specific sites in Mexico, the west coast of California and Florida.