Wetland birding habitat

Edwin B. Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge - Barnegat

New Jersey · Northeast

Habitat
Wetland
Best Seasons
Difficulty

Moderate

Best Months

April-May, September-October

About This Location

Edwin B. Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge - Barnegat is a productive birding destination in New Jersey, with 218 species recorded on eBird. This wetland habitat attracts Canada Goose, Mallard, and Mourning Dove 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

Black Tern

Chlidonias niger

7/19/2026Barnegat Lighthouse SP1 observed

Red-breasted Merganser

Mergus serrator

7/19/2026Island Beach SP--Great Sedge Island2 observed

Purple Sandpiper

Calidris maritima

7/19/2026Barnegat Lighthouse SP1 observed

Roseate Tern

Sterna dougallii

7/18/2026Barnegat Lighthouse SP1 observed

Red-shouldered Hawk (lineatus Group)

Buteo lineatus

7/18/2026Forked River Mountain--Wells Mills Corridor & Waretown Landfill Trails1 observed

Trumpeter Swan

Cygnus buccinator

7/16/2026Mimi's2 observed

Sandwich Tern

Thalasseus sandvicensis

7/16/2026Barnegat Lighthouse SP1 observed

Ruff

Calidris pugnax

7/15/2026Tuckerton Creek1 observed

Saltmarsh Sparrow

Ammospiza caudacuta

7/14/2026Amasa Landing (use Edwin B Forsythe NWR--Burlington County Saltmarsh for checklists from watercraft)1 observed

Great Shearwater

Ardenna gravis

7/12/2026Barnegat Inlet1 observed

Black-bellied Whistling-Duck

Dendrocygna autumnalis

7/12/2026bird and betty parking lot1 observed

Bonaparte's Gull

Chroicocephalus philadelphia

7/12/2026Barnegat Lighthouse SP1 observed

Recent Observations

Species reported at this location in the last 14 days

Rock Pigeon

207/9/2026

Mourning Dove

27/9/2026

Laughing Gull

57/9/2026

American Herring Gull

27/9/2026

Least Tern

27/9/2026

Forster's Tern

27/9/2026

Snowy Egret

57/9/2026

Fish Crow

87/9/2026

House Finch

27/9/2026

Song Sparrow

17/9/2026

Red-winged Blackbird

47/9/2026

Common Grackle

17/9/2026

Northern Cardinal

17/9/2026

Ruby-throated Hummingbird

17/7/2026

Black Skimmer

27/7/2026

Tricolored Heron

17/7/2026

Great Egret

47/7/2026

European Starling

17/7/2026

Northern Mockingbird

37/7/2026

House Sparrow

17/7/2026

Birding Tips

  1. 1

    Bring waterproof boots for marsh trails and muddy edges.

  2. 2

    Scan the edges of open water for herons, egrets, and rails at dawn.

  3. 3

    Visit during mid-May for peak warbler migration.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the best time to visit Edwin B. Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge - Barnegat for birding?
The best months to visit Edwin B. Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge - Barnegat for birding are April-May, September-October. The best seasons are Spring and Fall.
What birds can I see at Edwin B. Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge - Barnegat?
Notable species at Edwin B. Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge - Barnegat include Canada Goose, Mallard, Mourning Dove, Ring-billed Gull, American Herring Gull. The area supports wetland habitats.
How difficult is birding at Edwin B. Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge - Barnegat?
Birding at Edwin B. Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge - Barnegat is rated as Moderate. Some trails may require moderate fitness and basic hiking ability.
What amenities are available at Edwin B. Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge - Barnegat?
Edwin B. Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge - Barnegat offers the following amenities: Parking, Restrooms, Trails, Auto Tour Route.