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.

Friday, October 17, 2014

Good Monarch Day With More on the Way

Monarchs were seen in good numbers today.  If you were walking, you might have even been able to catch the shadow of a monarch on the ground as it glided overhead.  It was a great day for all kinds of pollinators, and many insect species were seen nectaring on this warm and pleasant day.





Our team had a busy day that started off with a visit to West Cape May Elementary School.  Our seasonal field technicians were the guests of the kindergarten and pre-kindergarten class.  Both Angela and Lindsey read a story on monarchs, showed the students live monarch caterpillars, and went with the students on a walk which ended with a monarch butterfly release.  Both the kids and our interns had a wonderful time, and we are pleased to say that a patch of common milkweed was planted and growing in front of the school.




When the class went outside, there was even an unexpected surprise in the milkweed patch.  A beautiful green monarch chrysalis was attached to one of the milkweed seed pods.  This meant that the students got to see larva stage, (caterpillar) pupa stage (chrysalis) and newly emerged butterfly, all up close!




The weekend weather is looking very promising.  The forecast is still calling for west and west-northwest winds through Saturday and Sunday.  If these predictions hold true, then our team will certainly be doing a lot more tagging!

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