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
Mourning Warbler
Geothlypis philadelphia
Wilson's Phalarope
Phalaropus tricolor
Hudsonian Whimbrel
Numenius hudsonicus
Caspian Tern
Hydroprogne caspia
Yellow-breasted Chat
Icteria virens
Lincoln's Sparrow
Melospiza lincolnii
Bufflehead
Bucephala albeola
Pied-billed Grebe
Podilymbus podiceps
Veery
Catharus fuscescens
Magnolia Warbler
Setophaga magnolia
Northern Waterthrush
Parkesia noveboracensis
Cape May Warbler
Setophaga tigrina
Recent Observations
Species reported at this location in the last 14 days
Canada Goose
Mute Swan
Mallard
Red-breasted Merganser
Mourning Dove
Yellow-billed Cuckoo
Chimney Swift
American Oystercatcher
Black-bellied Plover
Killdeer
Semipalmated Plover
Piping Plover
Willet
Sanderling
Semipalmated Sandpiper
Laughing Gull
Ring-billed Gull
American Herring Gull
Great Black-backed Gull
Least Tern
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
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