Migration of Red Admiral Butterflies

Colorful, winged visitors to Havenwood this month

A Red Admiral butterfly enjoying the sweet nectar of the Cherry blossoms in our Fruit Tunnel.

“But thou art Nature's freeman - free to stray
Unfettered through the wood,
Seeking thine airy food,
The sweetness spiced on every blossomed spray…”

🌿 Thomas Wentworth Higginson, Ode to a Butterfly

Early visitors

Red Admiral butterflies have been streaming through our gardens at Havenwood in northwestern Pennsylvania for about the last four weeks. Later in the summer, we will have the showy Great Spangled Fritillary (Speyeria cybele) and the bright yellow Eastern Tiger Swallowtail (Papilio glaucus). Then the Monarchs (Danaus plexippus) will take their thrones on the Coneflower, and the Pearl Crescentspot (Phyciodes tharos) hide among the shady greenery of the Yew.¹ But right now, the Red Admirals are making their early visit in greater numbers than any of the former. Being the first butterflies of the year, they are a very welcome, cheery sight!