The Monarch Monitoring Project is a long-term study on monarch migration through Cape May, NJ. It is a part of the New Jersey Audubon Research Department, and closely affiliated with the Cape May Bird Observatory.

Sunday, September 21, 2014

Anticipation

Our census numbers dropped again today, just as we had predicted with the forecast of unfavorable winds for monarch migration into Cape May.  Shortly after midnight, however, a cold front is predicted to pass through Cape May, bringing northwest winds throughout the day tomorrow.  We're hoping these winds will bring an upsurge of migrants into Cape May, but there's no guarantee.  We just have to get back out there, conduct our censuses, and search for monarchs in the gardens and the skies at Cape May Point.

About the only thing we can accurately predict is the timing of our monarch tagging demos.  We shared monarch information with about 60 people at today's demo, the third of the year.  Our tagging demos will be held every Wednesday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday through October 12.  Join us at the East Shelter of Cape May Point State Park at 2:00 pm on any of these days.  The East Shelter is the covered picnic pavilion adjacent to the Hawkwatch Platform in the Park, right across the big parking lot from the Cape May Point Lighthouse.  We usually spend about ½ hour talking about the Monarch Monitoring Project, monarch biology and migration, and monarch conservation concerns.  We then break into smaller group to watch the tagging of monarchs, which are then released to continue their migrations toward Mexico.  There's no charge for these programs, though you're welcome to make a donation (and we've got some nice thank you gifts for donors).  We hope to see many of you at our demos during the coming weeks.

Lindsey Brendel (left) and Angela Demarse describe the monarch life
cycle to visitors at Sunday's tagging demo.



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