A new method of tracking monarch butterflies during migration has been introduced in New Brunswick this year. Nature NB, in collaboration with the Saint John Naturalist Club, Point Lepreau Bird Observatory, and Environment and Climate Change Canada, has implemented Bluetooth-enabled tags on monarchs. These tags, known as BluMorpho tags, are lightweight, solar-powered devices attached to the butterfly’s thorax with eyelash glue. Unlike traditional wing tags, BluMorpho tags use passive Bluetooth interactions, allowing anyone with Bluetooth on their phone within 100 meters of a tagged monarch to automatically log a data point.
Francie Morgan, program co-ordinator at Nature NB, expressed excitement about this innovative approach in monarch conservation. The new technology provides real-time tracking of monarch butterflies’ movements, a significant shift from the previous reliance on luck and physical recapture of wing-tagged butterflies.
Last year, Environment and Climate Change Canada and Birds Canada initiated the use of this technology in southern Ontario. Following its success, Nature NB secured funding from the Environmental Trust Fund of New Brunswick and the federal government to deploy these tags. Despite some delays at the border affecting tag shipments, Nature NB anticipates deploying 22 tags this season, with the possibility of 13 more if the remaining shipment clears in time.
Early data from the BluMorpho tags has already revealed valuable insights into monarch migration patterns in New Brunswick. The Point Lepreau Bird Observatory has been confirmed as a crucial stopover point for monarchs heading towards Grand Manan along the Eastern Seaboard. Additionally, unexpected migration routes to Nova Scotia due to strong westerly winds have provided researchers with new information on the impact of wind conditions on migration decisions.
Jim Wilson, a birder and naturalist at the Point Lepreau Bird Observatory, emphasized the importance of tracking individual migration routes to identify key natural corridors that monarchs rely on. This information can aid conservation efforts by prioritizing the protection of these critical areas. To follow the tagged monarchs and contribute to this research, individuals can download the free Project Monarch app. With tags starting with the prefix PLBO for Point Lepreau Bird Observatory, Nature NB aims to tag 22 monarchs in New Brunswick by the end of the season.
