Meadow Butterflies and Monarch Migration at RBG

By Tys Theijsmeijer, Senior Director of Ecosystem Stewardship Programs and Policy

Late summer is a wonderful time to explore the meadows of Royal Botanical Gardens. Two locations in particular—the Rock Chapel escarpment access and Princess Point in Cootes Paradise—can be alive with wildflowers and butterflies, with flowering season at it’s peak.

Both sites are also the focus of recent and ongoing ecological restoration, with former turf and agricultural lands being transformed into native meadows, also referred to as grasslands. The progress of these restoration projects is being monitored through regular ecological assessments. Recent summaries for both sites are available on the RBG website: Princess Point Tallgrass Prairie Ecological Update and Rock Chapel Grassland Restoration Ecological Update.

The assessments show ongoing habitat recovery at both locations, although the response of butterflies has not necessarily followed the same pattern. A species that has clearly benefited from these restored meadow habitats is the Monarch butterfly.

Counting butterflies

Each year during July, RBG staff and volunteers conduct butterfly counts in meadows at Princess Point, Berry Tract South and Rock Chapel. The surveys include Monarch Meadows, a recently restored field site along the Rock Chapel Loop Trail with a lovely overlook platform.

In 2026, the surveys recorded 339 individual butterflies, including 215 native to North American butterflies. Species observed counted 19 native butterfly species, compared with 21 species in 2025 and 26 in 2024. The total number of butterflies observed was also down approximately 20% from 2025 and 25% from 2024. These numbers are interesting, but a single year’s count does not necessarily indicate a long-term decline. Butterfly numbers can vary considerably from year to year depending on weather, timing and other environmental conditions. Continued monitoring will be important for determining whether the recent lower counts represent a trend and whether conservation practices should be adjusted.

There were also some notable observations during this year’s count. For the first time, RBG’s surveys recorded the European Common Blue, a non-native butterfly, with 53 individuals observed. That tied the species with the Monarch as the second-most abundant butterfly recorded during the survey. The Monarch’s presence in such numbers is a fantastic development for meadow habitats that, only a decade ago, provided considerably less suitable habitat for butterflies.

The most commonly encountered species was the native Common Wood-Nymph. Its caterpillars feed on native grasses—plants that are now abundant in these restored grasslands—making it an especially good example of how restoring native plant communities can benefit insects.

Photos from the 2026 Butterfly Count.

Weather matters

Butterfly counts are strongly influenced by environmental conditions. Temperature, wind, cloud cover and the timing of seasonal changes can all affect whether butterflies are active and visible during a survey.

As in the previous two years, weather presented challenges for this year’s counts. Warm spring temperatures arrived later than expected, delaying the seasonal transition from caterpillars to adult butterflies. Dense wildfire smoke in the days immediately before the surveys also created less-than-ideal conditions for observing butterflies.

These factors help put the lower 2026 totals into perspective. Rather than drawing conclusions from any single count, RBG will continue monitoring butterfly populations over time to better understand local trends and determine whether additional conservation measures are needed.

Following the Monarchs

While the annual butterfly counts provide a snapshot of meadow butterfly communities, another spectacular event is taking place across RBG’s natural areas this time of year: Monarch migration.

Notable numbers of Monarchs are currently being observed daily at RBG, including in Hendrie Park. As Monarchs prepare for their remarkable journey south, the late-summer wildflowers blooming throughout RBG’s meadows provide an important source of nectar.

Princess Point and Rock Chapel are particularly rewarding places to experience this seasonal spectacle. Their trails pass through restored meadow habitats filled with late-summer blooms, including asters, goldenrods and sunflowers—all valuable sources of nectar for migrating Monarchs.

So, if you’re looking for a reason to enjoy a late-summer or early-fall outing, visit one of RBG’s restored meadows. You may discover that the flowers are only part of the story. Look closely, and you might find a meadow full of butterflies and other insects preparing for the season ahead.