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.

Tuesday, May 8, 2012

World Series of Birding



A group of current and past members of our Monarch study team are joining up again to raise funds for the Monarch Monitoring Project in the World Series of Birding. The annual event, sponsored by the NJ Audubon Society, is a fun way for teams to raise funds for important conservation and environmental education efforts.

Our team, which we call the "Monarchists," competes in the "No Carbon Footprint" and "Cape Island" categories. On Saturday, May 12, we will travel around Cape Island by bicycle and foot to see how many species of birds we can find. As butterfly researchers, we also keep track of the number of butterfly species we find. Sponsors pledge to contribute a given amount for each species we find. Some choose to just contribute a flat amount.  In 2011 we found 115 species of birds and 5 species of butterflies; in 2010 conditions were better and those totals were higher, with 127 species of birds and 14 species of butterflies.

Ready to help out? To make a pledge, just send an e-mail message to team member Mark Garland at mgnature@me.com. If you are ready to contribute a flat amount, just send a check to PO Box 154, Cape May Point, NJ 08212. Write the check payable to "NJ Audubon Society" and in the "memo" are write "Monarch Project #024." You can see more pictures about this event at this page.