An October Walk at the Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge

Monarch Butterfly on Seaside Goldenrod

On October 5, we went on a walk with Jamaica Bay Guardian Don Riepe, from the American Littoral Society. It was a lovely fall day, not too windy, but we only saw a few migrating monarch butterflies. And one Common Buckeye. I learned that they also migrate to the southern states as the weather gets colder. 

Common Buckeye butterfly

Meanwhile, back at the Visitors Center there were butterfly-related activities led by Wing Kong, a local environmental artist and educator (wingny.com). She brought an enclosure with monarch butterflies and chrysalises to show participants, and then later released a newly emerged butterfly near the Pollinator Garden.

Wing Kong 

There was a large flock of Snowy Egrets gathered around the West Pond, resting for a while before resuming their journey south.

And Canada Geese flew by as well. 

Over at the East Pond, we saw a large collection of ducks, including the large billed Northern Shovelers.  

And Ruddy Ducks

Plus American Black Ducks.

 

Also Pied-billed Grebes were diving close by. 

A great day at the Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge, right here in New York City.