Thursday update

We saw good numbers of monarchs around Cape May Point yesterday.  During the late morning, after some early rain, monarchs were moving back and forth along the dunes.  After noon many headed inland a block or two, feeding on flowers, as shown below.

Monarch feeding on zinnias in a Cape May Point garden

Monarchs feeding on English Ivy flowers.  The tagged monarch
at upper right was tagged here at Cape May Point by visitors. 

We know that there are still lots of monarchs to be seen in Cape May Point this year.  We continue to receive reports of many monarchs in areas to our north, including New York, Connecticut, and Ontario.  We know that some monarchs still haven't emerged from the chrysalis as adults; Bill Schuhl found one in his garden yesterday (see below).

Monarch at Bill Schuhl's garden, 10/11/17.

It's been raining in Cape May early Thursday morning, but the rain is predicted to stop soon.  Winds in excess of 20 mph are predicted to last all day.  We expect the monarchs here in Cape May won't be going anywhere today, and that they'll hunker down in sheltered areas where they may be tough to find.  We'll be out there looking.