Cape May

New Jersey · Northeast

Habitat
CoastalWetlandForest
Best Seasons
FallSpring
Difficulty

Easy

Best Months

September-November

Entrance Fee

Free

Hours

Dawn to dusk daily

About This Location

Cape May is one of North America's premier birding destinations, sitting at a natural funnel point for migratory birds along the Atlantic Flyway. The combination of coastal habitats, wetlands, and forests attracts over 400 species annually, with legendary raptor flights in autumn.

Location

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Notable Species

Live Bird Data

Powered by eBird / Cornell Lab of Ornithology

Notable Sightings

Cackling Goose

Branta hutchinsii

3/4/2026Hamilton Marketplace, Robbinsville US-NJ 40.19200, -74.640211 observed

Eastern Phoebe

Sayornis phoebe

3/4/2026Manasquan Reservoir--Environmental Center1 observed

Cackling Goose

Branta hutchinsii

3/4/2026Lake Solitude1 observed

Orange-crowned Warbler

Leiothlypis celata

3/4/2026Hopper St1 observed

Pine Warbler

Setophaga pinus

3/4/2026144 Seeley Rd, Bridgeton US-NJ 39.50329, -75.241341 observed

Long-tailed Duck

Clangula hyemalis

3/4/2026Hackensack River - Meadowlands South2 observed

Pine Siskin

Spinus pinus

3/4/2026Home1 observed

Cackling Goose

Branta hutchinsii

3/4/202615 Lake Dr E, Wayne US-NJ 40.93398, -74.251701 observed

Red-breasted Merganser

Mergus serrator

3/4/202615 Lake Dr E, Wayne US-NJ 40.93398, -74.2517011 observed

Red-breasted Merganser

Mergus serrator

3/4/2026Millstone River Impoundment1 observed

Cackling Goose

Branta hutchinsii

3/4/2026Rahway River Park2 observed

Barnacle x Cackling Goose (hybrid)

Branta leucopsis x hutchinsii

3/4/2026Rahway River Park1 observed

Greater White-fronted x Canada Goose (hybrid)

Anser albifrons x Branta canadensis

3/3/2026Opie Road1 observed

Snow x Canada Goose (hybrid)

Anser caerulescens x Branta canadensis

3/3/2026Norz Farm Fields (Hillsborough Twp.)1 observed

Red-breasted Merganser

Mergus serrator

3/3/2026Garret Mountain Reservation (Park)1 observed

Lesser Black-backed Gull

Larus fuscus

3/3/2026Lake Parsippany1 observed

Barnacle x Cackling Goose (hybrid)

Branta leucopsis x hutchinsii

3/3/2026Rahway River Park1 observed

Greater Scaup

Aythya marila

3/3/2026Millstone River Impoundment1 observed

Song Sparrow (melodia/atlantica)

Melospiza melodia

3/3/2026Millstone River Impoundment1 observed

Pine Warbler

Setophaga pinus

3/3/2026Hunters Glen2 observed

Birding Tips

  1. 1

    Visit the hawk watch platform in fall for spectacular raptor flights

  2. 2

    Arrive at dawn for peak songbird activity at the point

Amenities

Parking
Restrooms
Visitor Center
Trails
Gift Shop

Nearby Attractions

  • Cape May Lighthouse
  • Cape May Point State Park