This past week showed the sharp decline in local monarch numbers expected for this time of year, as cold weather is coming. Monarch butterflies cannot survive long in cold weather, as their only adaptation for surviving the winter in North America is migrating away from it. We sometimes forget that Monarchs are, in reality, a tropical species with its closest kin found in the Caribbean.Rain made life difficult for the migrants late in the week, although winds may have also helped some cross the Delaware Bay south. Monarchs rarely fly in rain and rarely if ever fly at night. Rain storms could pummel them to the ground or into the sea, so Monarchs appear to be well adapted to judge the weather and fly accordingly.
Census Totals: Monarchs per hour
10-20: 47.37
10-21: 102.63
10-22: 233.68
10-23: 100.50
10-24: 64.86
10-25: 3.33
10-26: 1.71
Monarchs per hour Week 8: 64.13
Monarchs per hour cumulative: 82.90
With only one week remaining, we can safely report that it was a very good year for Monarchs in Cape May. Hopefully, this winter will be favorable for them as the spend the winter in the mountains of Mexico.
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