Birding at the Jersey Shore
Cape May is one of the world's top birding destinations. Millions of birds funnel through during migration.
Why Cape May?
Cape May sits at the tip of a peninsula where migrating birds concentrate before crossing Delaware Bay. The geography creates one of the world's great migration funnels.
1 Million+
Raptors counted annually
400+
Species recorded
#1
East Coast birding destination
Top Birding Spots
Cape May Point State Park
Cape May Point
Premier hawk-watching platform. Millions of raptors pass through during fall migration.
Best for: Hawks, falcons, fall migration
Peak: Sep-Nov
Stone Harbor Bird Sanctuary
Stone Harbor
21-acre heronry with nesting herons, egrets, and ibis. Boardwalk viewing.
Best for: Herons, egrets, nesting birds
Peak: Apr-Aug
Forsythe NWR
Oceanville
Edwin B. Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge. 8-mile wildlife drive through pristine marsh.
Best for: Shorebirds, waterfowl, eagles
Peak: Year-round
Higbee Beach
Cape May
Morning flight phenomenon. Thousands of songbirds stage before crossing the bay.
Best for: Songbirds, warblers, morning flight
Peak: Sep-Oct
Sandy Hook
Sandy Hook
Gateway NRA with diverse habitats. Hawk watch and shorebird areas.
Best for: Shorebirds, hawks, rare vagrants
Peak: Year-round
Migration Calendar
March-May
Shorebirds, songbirds, raptors
Spring migration. Warblers peak mid-May.
June-August
Nesting birds, herons, terns
Breeding season. Stone Harbor heronry active.
September-November
Hawks, falcons, songbirds
Peak season. Cape May world-famous for fall raptor migration.
December-February
Waterfowl, owls, winter visitors
Snowy owls possible. Duck diversity peaks.
Visit Cape May
Plan your birding trip with our complete Cape May guide.
Cape May Guide