Date: 10/01/2011

Number: 1000

October 2
We left Cape May around mid-day but walked around at the point before we left. The roosts were still there-weather threatening rain, windy and cold. Since they had just come in the day before, it is doubtful they would have left even were the weather good. Nectar is still abundant with plenty of artichoke and golden rod (some yet to bloom) as well as ageratum (not that the monarchs seem to like the blue mist flower). The gardens are full of buddleia, aster, daisies, and annuals.

Most of the monarchs we saw coming in were in good shape....The pics from the roost on the blue trail are not good-it is dark back there even when its sunny; the trees are very tall and most of the roost was high. I have attached a pic of a smaller roost which is clearer. Also attached is a picture from the beach dunes where they were roosting in the pines. This was a smaller roost than the one on the blue trail.

We are hoping to return to Cape May on Thursday. I will certainly post any activity.

October 1
In a 35 minute walk we saw at least 1000 monarchs at Cape May point. From 11am until 4ish we noted monarchs coming into Cape May from the north-we did not count them.... This evening we found two significantly sized roosts-one on the dunes near Lincoln Ave at the point and the other in the state park at the end of the blue trail--this one was very large--several deciduous trees were literally covered with monarchs. Could not count them-lighting was poor but definitely a large roost!

Cape May, NJ

Latitude: 39 Longitude: -74.9

Observed by: Vidette
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