South Shore beachgoers were treated to a breathtaking spectacle as thousands of monarch butterflies paused to rest on their long journey south. Drawn by late-season blooms of seaside goldenrod, the orange-and-black travelers flitted across the dunes, sparking wonder among those who flocked to witness the natural phenomenon.
The monarchs could be seen nectaring on the bright flowers by day, then settling into stands of pitch pines by night, their wings blending with pinecones for protection. “It’s incredible to see so many at once,” said onlooker Dee Maddock, who was camping at Cupsogue Park. “The trees appear to be alive. We’re blessed to have them come here and visit us.”
The monarch migration is one of the most remarkable in the animal kingdom. Each fall, the butterflies embark on a trek of up to 3,000 miles to the high-altitude forests of central Mexico. There, in the mountains of Michoacán, millions cluster together to overwinter in a fragile habitat designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
What makes the journey even more extraordinary is that no single butterfly completes the round trip. The northward migration each spring spans three to four generations, with monarchs laying eggs on milkweed plants along the way. The caterpillars feed exclusively on the sappy leaves, absorbing toxins that make them unpalatable to predators—a crucial survival strategy.
In the fall, however, a special “super generation” is born. Unlike their shorter-lived summer ancestors, these butterflies delay reproduction, conserve energy, and can live up to eight months—long enough to fly south, overwinter in Mexico, and begin the return trip north.
For now, South Shore residents are savoring their brief visit during a gorgeous Indian Summer, as squadrons of delicate wings shimmer against the autumn sky—a fleeting reminder of the endurance and beauty of nature’s most epic journey.