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Monarch Marathon: Fall Butterfly Migration in Piedmont Park

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Perhaps the most iconic migratory insect is the Monarch Butterfly. These majestic butterflies are easily identified by their bright orange wings with delicate black line details and white dots around the border. What makes these butterflies so iconic is their migration, totaling nearly 3,000 miles for some butterflies.

Photo Credit: Grace Manning

Monarchs lay their eggs on Milkweed plants, soon to be food for the caterpillars. Those hungry caterpillars emerge and begin their journey to becoming a butterfly. Once they have completed their metamorphosis, they will either begin breeding, or depending on the timing, begin migrating. When the days get shorter and the weather a bit colder, adult Monarchs migrate from the United States and Canada south, to California and Mexico. It is there they will wait out the winter on the oyamel fir trees. When the days grow longer, the Monarchs fly back up north in search of their host plant, Milkweed, once again to breed. 

Photo Credit: Grace Manning

In Georgia we are lucky enough to be on the path. Come September these butterflies will head south, flying at about treetop height along their journey. One of the threats facing Monarchs today is the loss of their breeding plant, Milkweed. This plant plays a critical role in Monarch survival as the only place they will lay their eggs, and the only food for caterpillars. Looking to ensure a monarch sighting this fall? Plant milkweed in your yard, or in large planters on your patio.

Author: Dana Buskovitz, Piedmont Park Conservancy Education Coordinator

Want to learn more about migration? Read part one of our migration blog series about birds you can spot in the Park during the fall.

duck swimming in lake clara meer in piedmont park

Feathered Friends: Fall Bird Migration in Piedmont Park

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While fall migration through Georgia may not be as spectacular as springtime migration, it is still a sight to behold. Starting as early as August, many birds make their way south in preparation for the winter season. During migration, these birds use “stopover habitats” as resting places on their long journey. Stopover habitats are places to eat, sleep, and recharge, like a hotel room on a long drive.

Photo Credit: Clay Fisher

So, when fall migration peaks in late September and October, who is checking into Georgia, and who is checking out? Feathered friends including a few sparrow species, multiple duck species, kinglets and cedar waxwings come to Georgia. These species have been nesting up north all spring and summer long. We also have some species checking out in search of warmer weather. Warblers, thrushes, orioles and more will begin their journey south.

Photo Credit: Clay Fisher

How can you spot these travelers, and maybe even help out? While most of these birds will do the bulk of their traveling at night, you can still spot them while they stop for food. In fact, with the losses in stopover habitat, you can ensure a sighting by turning your backyard into a migratory bird oasis! Plants such as elderberry, sumac, and dogwood provide berries. Hackberry and American beautyberry provide nutrient-rich fruits. Providing a feeding place for birds helps fuel them up for their long journey, or helps them recharge after it.

Photo Credit: Clay Fisher

So grab your binoculars and field guide, and observe! Don’t forget that the best way to observe wildlife is to stop, look, and listen. 

Want to learn more about animals, plants and all things science? Check out our online resources here.

How to Stay Active During the Quarantine with Northside Hospital

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Many of us have grown used to the self-quarantine lifestyle. Most of our days are spent at home, either helping young family members with their schooling, working from home, or immediately returning home from your job. It can be hard to focus on your physical activity and move every day, especially after what could potentially be months of a sedentary lifestyle.

To increase access to health professionals and expert advice, the Piedmont Park Conservancy is collaborating with Northside Hospital Orthopedic Institute-Sports Medicine to host Move! Mondays in 2020, a virtual series on how to increase your physical activity during quarantine. 

In this special interview with Orthopedic Surgeon John Andrachuk, MD, we learn about how sports medicine is for everyone, advice on getting back into an active lifestyle and more.

 

About Northside Hospital Orthopedic Institute-Sports Medicine:

The team at Northside Hospital Orthopedic Institute-Sports Medicine offers comprehensive care and personalized services based entirely around the needs of athletes. As a center for orthopedics and sports medicine, their team takes care of your every need – from injury prevention to performance services and athletic training to orthopedic surgery. They provide services for athletes of all ages, including orthopedic and sports medicine care for children, across a wide range of specialties. Learn more.

Check out some of their videos: Nutrition Tips for Runners and Injury Prevention Running Tips.

Five Fun and Distant Family Activities

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Have some summer fun in the Park with your family! Here are five socially distant  activities you can do in the Park.

  • Connect with Nature

Download our Backyard Birding activity, and see how many types of birds you can spot in Piedmont Park. You can also use our “iNaturalist Companion” download to take a hike around the Park.

  • Family Picnic

If you’re in the mood for a more relaxing day, sit on the Front Lawn and have a picnic. All you need is a blanket and a cooler full of your favorite foods.

  • Scavenger Hunt

Another great idea to keep the whole family entertained is a scavenger hunt. Download our Piedmont Park Nature Scavenger Hunt. We recommend starting your journey at the Welcome Plaza.
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  • Family Field Day

For an active experience, host a family field day! Bring a frisbee, soccer ball or football, and visit one of the many open fields at the Park to play all day.

  • Arts and Crafts

Finally, just have a quiet day with your loved ones. Find a shady spot and do some arts and crafts. Bring a mat for easy cleanup and finger paint. You could also make your own giant bubbles, impression sculptures with fallen leaves or beaded sun catchers. The possibilities are really endless.

We hope you are inspired by some of these activities and have a great day spending quality time with your loved ones! 

Want more? Find several family fun activities on our online learning hub. Also, receive updates and stay connected with live readings, YouTube activities and more by subscribing to our “Connect and Learn” Instagram page: @piedmontlearns

Author: Olivia O’Brien

PC: Bee Downtown

Bee Aware: Spring May Bring Honeybee Colonies to Piedmont Park

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If you’ve visited Piedmont Park recently, you may have noticed something unusual in the trees near the Invesco Beehives in the Piedmont Commons. You may also wonder if it was left there on accident.

Photo Credit: Bee Downtown

These biodegradable landscaping pots were hung in the trees on purpose by our friends at Bee Downtown. The pots are called “swarm traps” and are used for best beekeeping practices from the months of March through July. Honeybee colonies grow quickly, and when they outgrow their hive, spread through a process called swarming.

PC: Bee Downtown

Photo Credit: Bee Downtown

When a colony swarms, 60% of the bees leave the hive to search for a new one. The group takes flight, clusters up and latches on to whatever they can find while scout bees look for a new home. This is where the swarm traps are put to use. They provide a home for the colony and allow Bee Downtown to safely relocate the bees to a more permanent home.

While alarming at first, honeybee swarms are harmless. The bees have no home so they have nothing to defend and their bellies are so full of honey that they can’t bend over to sting!

Photo Credit: Bee Downtown

If you see a swarm anywhere, whether it’s on a tree or in a box, please call or text the Lead BDT Beekeeper, Nick Weaver, at 678-779-8143 or Pam Allen at 770-310-1673. 

If you have any bee-related questions or concerns, please email info@bee-downtown.com

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