Date: 09/22/2005

Number: 1

Migration Hotspot: Cape May, NJ


Data for the Cape May Monarch Road Census is posted
on the Cape May Monarch Census website.

September 22
A great day for monarchs at Cape May, NJ . . . our best of the season to date! Northwest winds in the morning brought in large numbers of monarchs. Although the winds shifted into the south in late morning, reducing the rate of incoming monarchs, hundreds of monarchs were seen nectaring throughout the day around Cape May Point. Three census runs yielded a total of 296 monarchs. (Editor’s Note: Each census run take approximately 20 minutes.)

September 27

A large influx of monarchs into and out of Cape May on 9/27 and 9/28 coincided with the wave reported 210 miles down the coast at Fisherman Island. Dick Walton reports 255 monarchs were observed on a census the evening the 27th, and roost counts in the late afternoon totaled 5000 to 6000 monarchs. Only 30 were seen the next morning!

About the Cape May Monarch Census
Now in its 14th year, this annual migration census is providing a long-term record of migration patterns along the Atlantic Coast. Located at the tip of a peninsula, monarchs funnel into Cape May where they often congregate in high numbers until the wind is right to make the over-water crossing. Data for the Cape May Monarch Road Census is posted
on the Cape May Monarch Census website.

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.