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Each
year thousands of vibrant orange and black Monarch Butterflies
flock to Pismo Beach, seeking shelter from the freezing northern
winters. From late October to February, the butterflies cluster
in the limbs of a grove of Eucalyptus trees at Pismo State
Beach. The grove is easily accessible. It is located
on State Highway 1 at the south boundary of the city limits
of Pismo Beach. |
Spectators
come from all over the Central Coast and throughout the state
to view the Monarchs. Visitors are greeted by knowledgeable and
well-informed volunteer docents offering daily talks and information.
The
butterflies form dense clusters with each one hanging with its
wing down over the one below it to form a shingle effect. This
provides shelter from the rain and warmth for the group. The weight
of the cluster help keeps it from whipping in the wind and dislodging
the butterflies.
Our
colony is one of the largest in the nation, hosting an average
of 25,000 butterflies over the last five years.
The
Monarchs that visit Pismo Beach are a special variety. They have
a life span of six months as opposed to that of common Monarchs
who live only six weeks. This can be attributed to a unique fat
storing system. However, even with an extended life span, those
butterflies that leave in March will never return.
Scientists
do not know why the Monarchs consistently return to some wintering
sites. In North America, those sites range from the Central and
Southern California Coast to Mexico. Some scientists speculate
that the insects are equipped with genetic homing systems that
lead them from their summer sites in the Sierras, Florida, Canada
and the Great Lakes Region in North America back to their winter
locations.
On
the Central Coast, Monarchs winter in Pismo Beach, Pacific Grove
and Morro Bay. The Natural History Museum In Morro Bay is an excellent
resource for information about Monarchs.
During
the season the Docent Trailer opens at 10am and closes at 4pm
daily. Daily walks through the grove happen at 11am and 2 pm,
weather permitting. For more information or
directions, please call the Pismo Beach Chamber of Commerce
at 800-443-7778. Be sure to visit ClassicCalifornia.com
- the Pismo Beach Conference and Visitors Bureau's web site for
more information about Pismo Beach.
OUR
PHOTO GALLERY
We
are always looking for pictures of the Monarchs. If you have any
pictures you would like to share with us feel free to Email
Us
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