CAPE MAY POINT: the Monarch Butterfly Migration
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SEPTEMBER through OCTOBER. Right now in Cape May County there are tens of thousands of monarch butterflies in the skies, stopping for a few weeks on their way to Mexico. The Cape May Bird Observatory is a leader in Monarch migration research, studying and tagging these butterflies which are engaged in their southward migration. Monarchs tagged in Cape May have been found at numerous locations farther south, even at their final destination in Mexico! Presentations about the Monarch phenomenon are presented on Saturdays at the Cape May Point State Park.

Best time for viewing Monarchs: The Monarch Monitoring Project begins on September 1st and ends on October 23rd. Like birds, Monarchs seem to be more numerous after cold fronts, especially during the end of September and the beginning of October. Large numbers can often be seen during the early evening in vegetation behind the dunes in Cape May Point as they prepare to roost for the night. The various dune crossovers offer excellent vantage points. If you really want to see Monarchs, just ask around. Someone will likely know exactly where the largest concentrations have been seen.

The Monarch Monitoring Project:
The Monarch Monitoring Project (MMP), established in 1990, is a research and education program focusing on the fall migration of monarch butterflies along the Atlantic coast. For over two decades the MMP has gathered data on monarchs moving through Cape May during September and October. MMP staff and volunteers also conduct informational programs on monarch biology and tagging. www.monarchmonitoringproject.com

Monarch Butterfly Migration - Cape May, NJ (video)
Cape May Bird Observatory: Northwood Center: East Lake Drive, Cape May Point, NJ 08212. 609-400-3868 cmbo1@njaudubon.org. www.njaudubon.org/calendar/

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Supported in part by a grant from the New Jersey Department of State, Division of Travel & Tourism.