The largest group of visitors to Bluffton this year, flew in, stayed for two weeks and, without a word flew out – in the direction of Mexico.

The visitors were hundreds of Monarch butterflies. Residents of North Dixie Highway appreciated their visit.

 The butterflies’ attraction to Bluffton is a cover crop of purple clover that surfaces after the wheat harvest. This isn’t the first time the Monarchs roosted here.

Kaye Phillips provided the Icon with some photos and the following account of the Monarchs:

“The years we have had large roosts are when wheat is planted in our field and purple clover is the ground cover that surfaces after the wheat has been harvested.

“The purple clover is a good food source. After the field was mowed, the Monarchs all left our area. The Monarchs may still be roosting somewhere close by where the food source is better. The monarchs are preparing for their migration to Mexico.  

“The Monarchs were feeding on the clover and roosting at night in our trees and our neighbor’s trees. They close their wings in the evenings and then flutter by the hundreds when disturbed. We enjoyed the butterflies for about two weeks.  

“The photos attached were from our trees. A good site is as follows. https://journeynorth.org/tm/monarch/FallRoosts.html