Enjoyable flies into Put-in-Bay at Monarch Fest

BY SHERI TRUSTY

PUT-IN-BAY – When Drew and Amber Wollenzier of Wellington heard Lake Erie Islands Nature and Wildlife Center (LEINWC) was internet hosting the 2nd Annual Monarch Fest on Put-in-Bay on Sept. 13, they instantly marked the day on their calendars. Their daughter, six-year-old Juniper Wollenzier, is an enormous butterfly fan, and their son, one-year-old Forrest, got here alongside for the experience.

“We were looking forward to this,” Drew mentioned. “No one ever has festivals just for monarchs, and they are so important.”

Juniper caught butterflies, competed within the butterfly race, and stood close by when LEINWC Director Renee Fultz led a butterfly launch. As Juniper watched, a butterfly landed on the material butterfly wings she was carrying.

“I like butterflies because I like how they fly. They are beautiful,” Juniper mentioned.

The occasion additionally featured bounce homes, stay music, instructional shows, crafts and meals. Jackie Taylor, the director of the Kelleys Island School Field Station, hosted an academic desk that included the chance to view monarchs below microscopes.

The principal characteristic of the pageant was the chance to catch monarchs for tagging. Each time an attendee caught a monarch, a LEINWC employees member would tag it within the hopes it could be recaptured at its winter dwelling in Mexico. Tagging helps researchers monitor and defend the monarch inhabitants.

The pageant was full of folks catching monarchs, studying about monarchs, and having enjoyable.

“We definitely have a lot more people than last year, which is fantastic,” Fultz mentioned. “We wanted people to come together as a community to have fun and learn about monarchs and pollinators.”

Casey Lescher, Kate Flounders, and Lescher’s five-year-old daughter, Jemma Charlton, all of Sandusky, have been excited when Lescher caught a monarch. Charlton mentioned it was the very best second of the pageant. For Lescher, it was an emotional second.

“I always said I think my dad comes back as a monarch, but I haven’t seen one for years,” she mentioned. “Since my grandma died in July, I see them everywhere.”

Ironically, the Wollenziers caught a praying mantis earlier than they caught a butterfly. Drew was getting a short lived tattoo of a praying mantis utilized to his arm when one hopped on his hat.

“I told the woman giving me the tattoo that I haven’t seen a praying mantis in a while. She said, ‘You’re not going to believe this, but one just landed on your head,’” Drew mentioned. “Apparently, someone was listening.”

For extra data on Lake Erie Islands Nature and Wildlife Center, go to www.lakeerieislandswildlife.com.