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Cape May County, NJ, sits on one of the most important bird migration routes in North America, and its parks, marshes and forests are worth exploring in every season. Here are the best nature and birding spots in Cape May County, from the hawk watch at Cape May Point to the pine forest in Woodbine.
Cape May Point State Park
- Town: Lower Township (Cape May Point)
- Where: 305 Lighthouse Avenue
The park’s Hawk Watch Platform is the place to see fall raptor migration. The state estimates about 30,000 raptors pass through Cape May each year, with historic highs above 80,000.
Three easy trails wind past ponds, dunes and the beach: the Duck Pond Trail (half a mile, wheelchair accessible), the Monarch Trail (1.2 miles) and the Plover Trail (1.5 miles). Weekend hawk banding demonstrations and guided bird walks run in season.
Cape May Bird Observatory Northwood Center
- Town: Cape May Point
- Where: 701 East Lake Drive
- Phone: 609-884-2736
New Jersey Audubon’s Cape May Bird Observatory is the hub for local birding, with field trips, programs and up to date sightings. Stop in before heading out to find out what is being seen.
Nature Center of Cape May
- Town: Cape May
- Where: 1600 Delaware Avenue
- Phone: 609-898-8848
Overlooking Cape May Harbor, New Jersey Audubon’s environmental education center has exhibits, an observation deck and nature programs for kids and families.
Higbee Beach Wildlife Management Area
- Town: Lower Township
- Where: End of New England Road
Nearly 1,100 acres of dunes, forest, scrub and fields on the Delaware Bay, Higbee is a key stopover for migrating songbirds on the Atlantic Flyway. The small gravel lot is free.
Dogs are allowed on the beach from September 1 to April 30. The area is closed from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m.
Cape May National Wildlife Refuge
- Town: Middle Township and Lower Township
- Where: Headquarters off Kimbles Beach Road; Woodcock Lane trailhead off Route 47
The federal refuge is open year round, with easy trails including the 1.37 mile Northern Dune Trail from the headquarters and the Songbird Trail off Loran Drive. At the Two Mile Beach Unit, the beachfront is open for wildlife observation from October 1 to March 31.
The Wetlands Institute
- Town: Middle Township
- Where: 1075 Stone Harbor Boulevard
On the road into Stone Harbor, The Wetlands Institute’s 720 foot elevated walkway loops over the salt marsh, with an observation tower and a quarter mile salt marsh trail. Fall and winter weekend programs are held at the NJ Coastal Conservation Center in Cape May Court House.
Belleplain State Forest
- Town: Woodbine
- Where: 1 Henkin-Sifkin Road
- Phone: 609-861-2404
Cape May County’s big inland forest has 24 official trails, including the 7 mile East Creek Trail and the short nature trail loops around Lake Nummy. It is a change of scenery from the shore, with pine and oak woods and quiet ponds.
Birding tip: Fall migration peaks from September into November, and winter brings waterfowl to the ponds and bays. Dress in layers: the wind off the Delaware Bay and the ocean is colder than the forecast suggests.
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