Birdfeeders

During the winter, butterflies have two choices - they can migrate south or hibernate. For those that choose to hibernate, they look for dark sheltered places like barns, behind the bark of trees or in butterfly boxes. They generally hibernate from late August or early September through to April or May. Even during the spring and summer months, butterflies will use the butterfly boxes as protection from predators. Among the more common species of hibernating butterflies found in the United States are mourning cloaks, queens, comma anglewings, red admirals, painted ladies and West Coast ladies. In warm weather, mount the butterfly boxes on a pole 3-4 feet off the ground, preferably near flowering plants. It is a good idea to put pine bark mulch or tree bark inside, standing up. During the winter, move the butterfly boxes to sheltered places that are protected from the wind.