Date: 09/28/2001

Number: 1

"A large wave of monarchs moved into the Cape May area on Friday, September
28th. We recorded our highest census run count for the season, and over
10,000 monarchs were counted in local roosts. Data for the first four weeks
of the Road Census is now available at our website," reports Dick Walton, director of the

Cape May Monarch Census.

FROM THE CAPE MAY NATURAL HISTORY & EVENTS HOTLINE: A major coldfront at the end of September with winds from the north and
northwest triggered one of the most dramatic MONARCH concentrations in
several years. By 2 p.m. on September 28 bushes in the dunes at Cape
May Point were vibrating with roosting Monarchs that had settled in and
stopped migrating because of the strong winds. That evening and dawn
the following day (September 29) were times to remember. Pooled
sightings documented at least 70,000 Monarchs roosting at 3 different
locations: the undeveloped dune forest at Stone Harbor Point, the dunes
and backyards in Cape May Point, and the stands of Red Cedars at East
Point (in Cumberland County). There were no doubt many more Monarchs in
South Jersey than those 70,000, since many other coastal stands of
native vegetation were not checked for roosting Monarchs. The coldfront
was followed by Indian Summer temperatures and winds from the wrong
direction, winds that do not aide migration. The result has been
lingering Monarchs in gardens the last three days (Oct. 2-4).

Now in its 10th year, this annual migration census is providing a long-term record of migration patterns at this migration hotspot. Located at the tip of a peninsula, monarchs congregate here in high numbers to avoid the over-water crossing. Learn more at the Cape May Monarch Census Web site.

Cape May Point, NJ

Latitude: 38.9 Longitude: -75

Observed by:
Contact Observer

The observer's e-mail address will not be disclosed.
Contact will be made through a web-based form.