Birding at the Jersey Shore
Cape May is one of the world's top birding destinations. Millions of birds funnel through during migration.
Why Cape May?
Cape May sits at the tip of a peninsula where migrating birds concentrate before crossing Delaware Bay. The geography creates one of the world's great migration funnels, drawing birders from around the globe.
1 Million+
Raptors counted annually at the official hawk watch
400+
Species recorded in Cape May County alone
Migration Calendar
March-May
Shorebirds, songbirds, raptors
Spring migration. Warblers peak mid-May. Horseshoe crab spawn brings shorebirds to Delaware Bay.
- ✓ 20+ warbler species in a single day
- ✓ Red Knots on Delaware Bay beaches
- ✓ Raptor movement north
June-August
Nesting birds, herons, terns
Breeding season. Stone Harbor heronry active. Least Terns nest on beaches.
- ✓ Heronry viewing at Stone Harbor
- ✓ Piping Plovers nesting
- ✓ Early shorebird return (July)
September-November
Hawks, falcons, songbirds
Peak season. Cape May world-famous for fall raptor migration. Monarch butterflies also migrate.
- ✓ Up to 10,000 raptors per day
- ✓ Higbee Beach morning flight
- ✓ Rare vagrant window
December-February
Waterfowl, owls, winter visitors
Snowy owls possible. Duck diversity peaks. Northern species irrupt south.
- ✓ Snowy Owl sightings
- ✓ Sea duck concentrations
- ✓ Short-eared Owls at dusk
Signature Species
These are the birds that draw serious birders to the Jersey Shore. Plan your visit around these target species.
| Species | When | Where | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharp-shinned Hawk | Sep-Oct | Cape May Point | Most numerous hawk. Peak counts in thousands. |
| American Kestrel | Sep-Oct | Cape May Point | Small, colorful falcon. Common in fall. |
| Peregrine Falcon | Sep-Nov | Cape May Point | World's fastest bird. Regular during migration. |
| Great Egret | Apr-Sep | Stone Harbor | Large white wader. Nests in heronry. |
| Black-crowned Night-Heron | Apr-Sep | Stone Harbor | Nocturnal heron. Common at heronry. |
| Red Knot | May-Jun | Delaware Bay | Endangered shorebird. Feeds on horseshoe crab eggs. |
| Piping Plover | Apr-Aug | Beach nesting areas | Endangered beach nester. Protected areas. |
| Snowy Owl | Dec-Mar | Beaches, airports | Irruptive winter visitor. Not annual. |
| Northern Saw-whet Owl | Oct-Nov | Cape May banding stations | Tiny owl. Fall migration banding popular. |
| Saltmarsh Sparrow | Year-round | Forsythe NWR | Specialty species. Salt marsh obligate. |
Advertisement
Top Birding Spots
Cape May Point State Park
Cape May Point
Hawk-watching platform. Millions of raptors pass through during fall migration. Official hawk count site with daily tallies.
Best for: Hawks, falcons, fall migration
Up to 10,000 raptors on peak days
Stone Harbor Bird Sanctuary
Stone Harbor
21-acre heronry with nesting herons, egrets, and ibis. Elevated boardwalk provides eye-level viewing of nests.
Best for: Herons, egrets, nesting birds
200+ nesting pairs
Forsythe NWR
Oceanville
Edwin B. Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge. 8-mile wildlife drive through pristine salt marsh with viewing pullouts.
Best for: Shorebirds, waterfowl, eagles
150,000+ waterfowl in fall
Higbee Beach WMA
Cape May
Morning flight phenomenon. Thousands of songbirds stage in the dune forests before crossing Delaware Bay.
Best for: Songbirds, warblers, morning flight
Thousands of warblers daily in peak season
Sandy Hook
Sandy Hook
Gateway NRA with diverse habitats from maritime forest to beach. Official hawk watch and shorebird monitoring site.
Best for: Shorebirds, hawks, rare vagrants
Hotspot for rare species
Cape May Meadows
Cape May
Restored coastal wetlands managed by The Nature Conservancy. Exceptional for shorebirds and rare species.
Best for: Shorebirds, waterfowl, rarities
Top spot for vagrant species
Equipment Guide
Binoculars
8x42 or 10x42 recommended. Waterproof is essential for shore birding.
Spotting Scope
20-60x zoom ideal. Tripod required. Essential for shorebirds and distant hawks.
Field Guide
Sibley Eastern or Peterson recommended. Regional checklists available at visitor centers.
Clothing
Layers for variable weather. Neutral colors (avoid white/bright colors). Sturdy shoes.
Sun Protection
Hat, sunscreen, sunglasses. Hours of open-sky viewing takes a toll.
Camera
Long lens (400mm+) for bird photography. Bean bag for car window shooting.
Pro tip: The Cape May Bird Observatory Nature Center and some guided tours loan binoculars for walks. Check availability when booking.
Some links may earn us a commission. Learn more
Birding Etiquette
Responsible birding protects birds and their habitats while ensuring everyone has a good experience.
Keep Distance
Use binoculars/scopes rather than approaching birds. Especially important for nesting species.
Stay on Trails
Protect habitat and avoid flushing birds from cover. Many areas are fragile dunes or marshes.
Respect Closures
Beach nesting areas are closed for Piping Plovers and terns. Disturbance can cause nest failure.
No Playback
Playing bird calls to attract birds is discouraged. It stresses birds and disrupts behavior.
Share Sightings
Report interesting finds to eBird or the Cape May Bird Observatory hotline.
Bay Birding Hotspots
Salt marshes, wading birds, and osprey nests
New Jersey's back bays are exceptional birding destinations. Barnegat Bay and Great Bay host ospreys, herons, egrets, and shorebirds year-round. The Edwin B. Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge, accessible from Great Bay, is one of the most important birding sites on the Atlantic coast.
Barnegat Bay
Osprey nests, great blue herons, and egrets along 42 miles of shoreline. Kayak for close-up viewing.
Great Bay & Mullica
Gateway to Forsythe NWR. Thousands of waterfowl, shorebirds, and raptors. Pristine salt marshes.
All Wildlife Guides
Dolphins, whales, seals, and more wildlife viewing opportunities at the shore.
Birding Resources
Advertisement
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the best time for birding at Cape May?
The best time is during fall migration (September-November) when millions of raptors, songbirds, and shorebirds funnel through Cape May. Peak hawk counts occur mid-September to mid-October. Spring migration (April-May) is also excellent for warblers and shorebirds.
Do I need binoculars for birding at the Jersey Shore?
Binoculars are essential for bird watching. 8x42 or 10x42 binoculars are most popular for birding. Many guided tours provide binoculars, and some visitors centers loan them. Spotting scopes are helpful for shorebirds and distant raptors.
Are there any birding festivals at Cape May?
Yes! The Cape May Autumn Weekend (October) and Cape May Spring Weekend (May) are major birding festivals featuring field trips, workshops, and expert speakers. The World Series of Birding in May draws competitive teams from around the world.
Is birding at the Jersey Shore beginner-friendly?
Absolutely! Cape May Bird Observatory offers beginner walks and programs. Many birding locations have viewing platforms and boardwalks. Guided tours cater to all skill levels. The Stone Harbor Bird Sanctuary is especially good for beginners with easy viewing of large wading birds.
Where can I see nesting herons and egrets?
The Stone Harbor Bird Sanctuary is famous for its heronry with Great Egrets, Snowy Egrets, Black-crowned Night-Herons, and Glossy Ibis. Nesting season runs April through August. The boardwalk provides excellent views without disturbing the birds.
Are there wheelchair-accessible birding locations?
Yes! Forsythe NWR has a paved 8-mile wildlife drive. Cape May Point State Park has accessible hawk-watching platforms. Stone Harbor Bird Sanctuary has a wheelchair-accessible boardwalk. Many guided tours can accommodate mobility needs with advance notice.
Plan your next Shore trip
The free Shore Insider Guide, then a Thursday email with the weekend ahead and a planning guide on the 1st.
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Plan Your Birding Trip
Combine exceptional birding with beaches, Victorian architecture, and great restaurants in Cape May.