Ophryocystis elektroscirrha (O.e.) Infection in Monarchs Migrating through Cape May Point, NJ By Gayle Steffy, 2024 MMP Field Naturalist Ophryocystis elektroscirrha. (O.e.) is a parasitic single celled organism known as a protozoan that infects monarch butterflies. It is transferred from an infected adult monarch to a caterpillar by spores that…...
Cape May Monarch Monitoring Project Annual Report 2024
By Anna Haggenjos and Gayle Steffy Project Overview The Monarch Monitoring Project (MMP) was founded in 1990 by naturalist Dick Walton and Dr. Lincoln Brower. This project, under New Jersey Audubon’s Cape May Bird Observatory, seeks to better understand the fall migration of monarch butterflies through Cape May Point and…...
NJ Audubon’s Cape May Fall Festival 2024 – October 20, 2024
TNC’s South Cape May Meadows: 7:30am-9:30am Leaders (Group 1): Alan Mart, Carole Hughes, John McElroy, Eric Ripma, Josh Gant, Greg Miller, Win Shafer 39 species – Group 1 Species Count Canada Goose 5 Northern Shoveler 4 Mallard 12 Black Scoter 20 Mourning Dove 1 Killdeer 1 American Herring Gull 7…...
NJ Audubon’s Cape May Fall Festival 2024 – October 19, 2024
Higbee Beach Wildlife Management Area: 7:30am-9:30am Leaders (Group 1): Kathy Horn, Bernie Hodgdon, Chris Daly, Roger Horn Leaders (Group 2): Bill Roache, Virginia Rettig, MJ Roache 52 species – Group 1 Species Count Mourning Dove 8 American Herring Gull 2 Great Black-backed Gull 1 Double-crested Cormorant 65 Turkey Vulture 1…...
NJ Audubon’s Cape May Fall Festival 2024 – October 18, 2024
TNC’s South Cape May Meadows: 7:30am-9:30am Leaders (Group 1): Karen Thompson, Bill Boyle, Keith & Jackie Parker Leaders (Group 2): Chris Daly, Sharon Meeker, Julian Hough 47 species – Group 1 Species Count Canada Goose 10 Mute Swan 2 Mallard 13 American Black Duck 3 Surf Scoter 12 Surf/Black Scoter…...
Birds Before Beach – August 13, 2024
Leaders: Brian Moscatello, Lynn & Dave Pollard, Bernie Hodgdon, Ruth Bergstrom Temp: 70° F Winds: NNE 4 mph Weather Conditions: mostly sunny Tree Swallows are accumulating in much higher numbers. Good looks at Eastern Kingbirds, Cedar Waxwings and a lone Bald Eagle. 38 species Species Count Mute Swan 30 Mallard…...