This page has descriptions of the monitoring sites in our network as well as the survey methods used at each site. As of 2005, there are 3 long-term monitoring sites in our network. Scroll down this page to see their site profiles. |
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Site Profile - Peninsula Point, MI
Description:
The Peninsula Point recreation area, administered by the USDA/Forest Service, is a 48.5 ha area of land that juts into the northern shore of Lake Michigan. Most of the peninsula is wooded with cedar, aspen, or paper birch. At the southern end of the peninsula the forest is cleared around a lighthouse tower. An interpretive 4 km long nature trail passes through the southern clearing and the wooded area. A monarch monitoring program was initiated in 1996 to census monarchs as they stopover at this site.
Survey Method:
An early morning roost count in the lighthouse area followed by 2 walking censuses daily along the nature trail around the peninsula from 1 Sept-30 Oct.
Managed By:
Formerly CJ Meitner, now Gina Badgett (pictured below)
Email: gnb_43@yahoo.com
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Data Span:
1996-2006 (11 yr)
Core Volunteers/Data Collectors:
Therese Fix
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Site Pictures
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Peninsula Point lighthouse |
Monarchs congregating along the lakeshore at Peninsula Point. |
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Site Coordinator Gina Badgett |
Former site coordinator CJ Meitner |
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Beach view from Peninsula Point |
Volunteer Therese Fix |
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| Monarchs congregating at Peninsula Point |
All photographs above taken by Anne Okonek |
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Site Profile - Cape May Bird Observatory, NJ
Description
The Cape May monarch project is the longest running monitoring program in the country. The Cape May transect route encompasses several different habitats on the penisula, including beach dunes, agricultural fields, and residential neighborhoods at the south end of the Cape May peninsula. Censuses last approximately 17 minutes and a single observer counts all monarchs seen flying, nectaring or resting from within the vehicle. The Cape May project hires a technician to help with monarch research every autumn.
Survey Method:
Driving census 3 times daily along a 5 mile road loop, from Sept 1-Oct. 31
Managed By:
Dick Walton
Email: rkwalton@earthlink.net
Core Volunteers/Data Collectors:
Louise Zemaitis, David Mizrahi, Gayle Steffey, Chris Kisiel, Elizabeth Hunter, Patsy Eickelberg, Michael O'Brien, Mark Garland, Paige Cunningham
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Site Pictures
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Bunker pond at Cape May |
Cape May point |
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part of the Cape May census route |
another part of the route, near the Cape May Bird Observatory |
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last part of the census route |
Site coordinator Dick Walton |
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Monarchs roosting at Cape May point |
All photographs above taken by Mark Garland |
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Site Profile - Chincoteague, VA
Description
This site is within the Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge, which is located on Assateague Island, a barrier island on the coast of the Delmarva Peninsula. The refuge includes more than 14,000 acres of beach, dunes, marsh, and maritime forest, although the census take place only in the southern portion of the refuge
Survey Method:
Driving census 3 times daily along a 5 mile road loop, for 4 weeks between Sept 1-Oct. 31
Managed/Operated By:
Denise Gibbs
Email: monarch301@verizon.net
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Core Volunteers/Data Collectors:
Kate Tufts, Barbara Kreiley, Carole Parker,
Mona Miller
Data Span:
1997-2006 (10 yr)
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Website:
http://mysite.verizon.net/robgibbs301/monarch.htm/
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Site Pictures
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Denise at Chincoteague talking about the monarch program |
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monarch nectaring at Chincoteague |
Denise at the Chincoteague refuge visitor center |
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monarchs roosting at Chincoteague |
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