Date: 09/23/2012

Number: 800

Perfect winds and weather resulted in an amazing monarch migration day at Cape May. At 4:30pm, I stood at the top of the primary dune and counted monarchs flying past me. It averaged about 70 monarchs per 5 minutes, or about 800 or so monarchs per hour. Their flight behavior was very interesting-- they were coming through in small groups of 3, 4, or 5 at a time. They chased each other, they swirled around each other, and there was some close spiraling. It was a relaxed flight. How could they know they would soon rest at the point on the dense vegetation in residents' yards, or the dense stand of small eastern red-cedars beyond the houses? And imagine how they enjoyed the abundant nectar sources at TNC Meadows sanctuary and in nearby yards.

Rest up and eat well, monarchs. You still have to fly over the choppy Delaware Bay. Next stop. . . Chincoteague, I hope. I will be waiting for them.

Courtesy of Monarch Watch

Cape May, NJ

Latitude: 39 Longitude: -74.9

Observed by:
Contact Observer

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