Alas, my weekend at Cape May coincided with an almost complete cessation in migration... just 37 raptors passed the Cape all day on Friday (compare to a more normal 569 on Monday!), and Saturday's 'morning flight' was underwhelming to say the least.
Still somehow had a great trip, including my first Ruby-throated Hummingbird, a cool Virginia Possum trying its best to pass itself off as a rabbit as it wandered around the motel lawn, plenty of Monarchs heading steadily south, and a Merlin with most of a Yellow-billed Cuckoo in its talons (the rest presumably in its stomach!). Warblers included Blackpoll Warblers a plenty, together with smaller numbers of Palm, Magnolia, Black-and-White and Nashville Warblers, American Redstart and Common Yellowthroat, a handful of Red-eyed Vireo and a lovely glowing Baltimore Oriole bringing back memories of Scilly last September.
I shall be watching the rest of the autumn unfold with not a little jealousy... meanwhile, some butterflies to pass the time!
One of the many Monarchs making their way strongly south, sometimes at a great height.
It's slightly mind-blowing to think of these apparently-so-fragile creatures flapping their way from Canada to Mexico
amongst the refuelling Monarchs was this lovely Viceroy, a very convincing mimic, taking advantage of the Monarch's unpalatable taste, but not bothering with the whole 'fly to Mexico' thing.
Buckeye, like the USA version of our Peacock.
Other butterflies included plenty of Red Admiral and Painted Lady, the big Cloudless Sulphurs flopping about and a couple of lovely Little Yellows in the sunnier dunes.
