Butterfly walks start Oct. 16 at Bon Secour Refuge

Butterfly walks start Oct. 16 at Bon Secour Refuge

Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge will be conducting a total of 10 guided monarch walks on Wednesdays and Saturdays starting on October 16 and going through November 16. They will begin at 10 a.m. at the Gator Lake Trailhead located off of Mobile Street. This month’s tour dates are October 16, 19, 23 & 26.
The butterfly tours are free to the public and reservations are required. Tours are limited to 12 people and each tour will consist of a two hour round trip walk down one of the refuge trails. At least 24 hours notice for cancellations. Binoculars are helpful but not required to enjoy the tours. Restroom facilities are available at the refuge office and Pine Beach Trail.
Join refuge volunteer, Homer Singleton, as he leads participants along the Gator Lake Trail searching for this beautiful butterfly.
During the walk Homer will introduce you to the butterflies which pass through this area, their habitats and their life cycles. Participants will also be asked to help catch monarch butterflies so that they can receive tags that will allow scientists to track their migration. The walk typically lasts anywhere from 2.5-3 hours and participants should come prepared to walk over two miles in soft sand with minimal shade. Water and bug spray are highly suggested.
For more info about any of the events, contact the Refuge Office, Monday – Friday, 9: a.m. – 2 p.m. at (251) 540-7720. The refuge is located at 12295 State Highway 180 in Gulf Shores