Week 3 brought us an average of 38.28 monarchs/hour, our highest numbers so far this season and we're getting some great turn outs for our weekly tagging demos...in fact, everyone seems to be getting in on the action...
That's right, that's Doug Gochfeld, this season's swing counter...Yay for cute incriminating pictures...
You may have also seen us on the Atlantic City news (NBC Channel 40)last Monday...If not, you can check us out here:
http://www.nbc40.net/view_story.php?id=10602
We also had our very first sighting of this little critter courtesy of Michael O'Brien:
Naturally with a find like this it only makes sense that the Ocala Skipper (Panoquina ocala) be our Butterfly of the Week
Appearance: 1.5-1.75 in. wingspan, slight purple sheen, long and narrow, longitudinally striped abdomen, forewings very long and narrow, outer wing edges are darker brown.
Habitat: Marshes, Forest Edges, Roadsides, old fields, utility easements and gardens
Interesting Facts: The Ocala Skipper is a variable immigrant and a relatively rare find (rare to non-existent in the Manhattan area)here in Cape May. This skipper appears from mid Sept.-mid-Oct. so hurry out and happy hunting!
For those interested in reading a bit more about our Monarchs and the story behind scientists' discovery of their overwintering grounds in the recent decades, I highly recommend picking up Sue Halpern's Four Wings and a Prayer: Caught in the Mystery of the Monarch Butterfly (ISBN: 037570194X). This book is an excellent overview of the mystery of their 2,000 mile journey and all the biologists studying them (including our very own scientific advisor, Dr. Lincoln Brower)and a great addition to any nature enthusiasts library. Copies are available at the CMBO Northwood Center, so pick up a copy today!
So some of you may have heard that prior to working here, I worked with sea turtles...
Sea turtles were what pulled me into the wonderful world of migratory animals and have led me to this marvelously charming town of Cape May to work with the Monarchs. Like Monarch Butterflies, the sea turtles that I worked with face similar threats to their survival. If you are interested in reading a little bit about my last job and about what scientists have done to protect nesting Kemp's Ridley Sea Turtles on Padre Island National Seashore (Texas Gulf Coast) feel free to mosey on over to my other blog:
http://www.marinebioclaire.blogspot.com/
Now, for those who weren't aware, tomorrow is supposed to be an EPIC birding/butterflying day! Northwest Winds, 15 mph wind speed, mid-60's, sunny skies, and a partridge in a pear tree *sings* Grab your scopes, sun block, and enthusiasm (and if you're like me a strong cup of coffee if you're heading out there early)and enjoy what will hopefully be a fantastic flight day tomorrow!
No comments:
Post a Comment