Coastal birding habitat

Cape Island - Higbee Beach Wildlife Management Area - Morning Flight platform

New Jersey · Northeast

Habitat
CoastalWetland
Best Seasons
Difficulty

Challenging

Best Months

April-May, September-October

About This Location

Cape Island - Higbee Beach Wildlife Management Area - Morning Flight platform is a productive birding destination in New Jersey, with 252 species recorded on eBird. This coastal and wetland habitat attracts a wide variety of species among many others. Spring and fall migration bring waves of warblers and shorebirds through the area.

Location

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Notable Species

Live Bird Data

Powered by eBird / Cornell Lab of Ornithology

Notable Sightings

Rare or unusual species spotted nearby in the last 14 days

Wood Stork

Mycteria americana

7/21/2026Cape Island--South Cape May Meadows (SCMM)1 observed

Gull-billed Tern

Gelochelidon nilotica

7/21/2026Prime Hook NWR--Petersfield Ditch1 observed

Roseate Tern

Sterna dougallii

7/21/2026Cape Henlopen SP--The Point1 observed

Sandwich Tern

Thalasseus sandvicensis

7/21/2026Cape Henlopen SP--The Point2 observed

Eurasian Collared-Dove

Streptopelia decaocto

7/21/2026Cape Island--CMPSP--Hawkwatch Platform1 observed

American Barn Owl

Tyto furcata

7/20/2026Stipson Island Rd.1 observed

Recent Observations

Species reported at this location in the last 14 days

Mourning Dove

27/21/2026

Laughing Gull

27/21/2026

Purple Martin

27/21/2026

Barn Swallow

57/21/2026

Gray Catbird

17/21/2026

American Oystercatcher

37/21/2026

American Herring Gull

17/21/2026

Least Tern

17/21/2026

Forster's Tern

37/21/2026

Double-crested Cormorant

357/21/2026

Snowy Egret

17/21/2026

Green Heron

17/21/2026

Great Egret

47/21/2026

American Goldfinch

17/21/2026

Red-winged Blackbird

27/21/2026

Common Yellowthroat

17/21/2026

Common Tern

17/21/2026

House Sparrow

17/21/2026

Canada Goose

757/21/2026

Killdeer

17/21/2026

Birding Tips

  1. 1

    Check rocky shorelines and jetties at low tide for shorebirds.

  2. 2

    Scan offshore waters with a spotting scope for seabirds and waterfowl.

  3. 3

    Visit during mid-May for peak warbler migration.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the best time to visit Cape Island - Higbee Beach Wildlife Management Area - Morning Flight platform for birding?
The best months to visit Cape Island - Higbee Beach Wildlife Management Area - Morning Flight platform for birding are April-May, September-October. The best seasons are Spring and Fall.
What birds can I see at Cape Island - Higbee Beach Wildlife Management Area - Morning Flight platform?
Notable species at Cape Island - Higbee Beach Wildlife Management Area - Morning Flight platform include Sanderling, Brown Pelican, Osprey, Royal Tern, Willet. The area supports coastal, wetland habitats.
How difficult is birding at Cape Island - Higbee Beach Wildlife Management Area - Morning Flight platform?
Birding at Cape Island - Higbee Beach Wildlife Management Area - Morning Flight platform is rated as Challenging. The terrain can be challenging and may require good physical fitness and preparation.
What amenities are available at Cape Island - Higbee Beach Wildlife Management Area - Morning Flight platform?
Cape Island - Higbee Beach Wildlife Management Area - Morning Flight platform offers the following amenities: Parking, Trails.