Sandy Hook
New Jersey · Northeast
Moderate
April-May, September-October
Free (parking fee in summer)
Open daily, sunrise to sunset
About This Location
Sandy Hook is a productive birding destination in New Jersey, with 369 species recorded on eBird. This forest and wetland habitat attracts Brant, Canada Goose, and American Black Duck 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
Short-billed Dowitcher (griseus)
Limnodromus griseus
Ruddy Turnstone
Arenaria interpres
Black-capped Chickadee
Poecile atricapillus
Sora
Porzana carolina
Eastern Phoebe
Sayornis phoebe
Louisiana Waterthrush
Parkesia motacilla
Cliff Swallow
Petrochelidon pyrrhonota
Solitary Sandpiper
Tringa solitaria
Wild Turkey
Meleagris gallopavo
Black Scoter
Melanitta americana
White-throated Sparrow
Zonotrichia albicollis
Glaucous Gull
Larus hyperboreus
Bald Eagle
Haliaeetus leucocephalus
Royal Tern
Thalasseus maximus
Wilson's Storm-Petrel
Oceanites oceanicus
Recent Observations
Species reported at this location in the last 14 days
Canada Goose
Mourning Dove
Ruby-throated Hummingbird
American Oystercatcher
Semipalmated Plover
Piping Plover
Short-billed Dowitcher
Sanderling
Least Sandpiper
Laughing Gull
American Herring Gull
Great Black-backed Gull
Black Skimmer
Least Tern
Common Tern
Double-crested Cormorant
Snowy Egret
Osprey
Bald Eagle
Northern Flicker
Birding Tips
- 1
Listen for vocalizations to locate canopy-dwelling warblers and vireos.
- 2
Check forest edges and clearings for flycatchers and thrushes.
- 3
Visit during mid-May for peak warbler migration.
- 4
Bring insect repellent — wetland areas can have significant mosquito activity, especially in warmer months.
- 5
Waterproof boots are recommended as trails near marshes can be muddy, especially after rain.
Amenities
Nearby Attractions
- Sandy Hook Lighthouse
- Fort Hancock
- Gateway National Recreation Area
More in New Jersey
New Jersey Birding Guide
Complete guide to birding in New Jersey →