Contrary to popular belief, New Jersey offers fantastic opportunities to see and (ethically) photograph some of North America’s most beautiful bird species, from up north in the Meadowlands to down south in Cape May.
The rare bird alerts, eBird database, social media groups, and countless bird clubs serve as resources to help get beginning birders out into the Garden State, embracing their inner bird nerd.
Birding is an exciting way to explore nature and take better care of yourself. It helps to keep us present and mindful. Looking for a particular bird, in a particular spot, at a particular time gives us the space to free ourselves of our worries and focus on being present outdoors.
Birds in Gateway National Recreation Area (Sandy Hook)
A barrier island carved out in Monmouth County, Sandy Hook boasts several different habitats: ocean beach, coastal marsh, bay, and maritime forest, among others. This unique array of areas brings with it a large diversity of birds!
Here are a few spots to check out:
- Plum Island
- The Spermaceti Cove boardwalk
- The Horseshoe Cove saltmarsh
- North Pond
- The fields at the main post area
- Fisherman’s Path on North Beach.
Monmouth County Audubon Society offers free walks on Sandy Hook, and New Jersey Audubon Society organizes hikes for a small fee.
New Jersey Birds to see in Sandy Hook:
- Piping Plovers
- Ospreys
- American Oystercatchers
- Black Skimmers
- Northern Gannets
- Terns
- Gulls
- Kinglets
- Wrens
- Herons
- Egrets
- Waterfowl
Raptor Birds to see at Sandy Hook:
- Northern Harriers
- Bald Eagles
- Peregrine Falcons
- Red-tailed Hawks
- Sharp-shinned Hawks
- Merlins
This handy book features 132 species of New Jersey birds organized by color for ease of use. Full-page photographs present the species as you’ll see them in nature, and a “compare” feature helps you to decide between look-alikes.
Birds in Cape May
National Geographic lists Cape May as the World’s Best destination for birding. The narrow peninsula at Cape May acts as a bird funnel, bringing in songbirds during their spring and fall migrations. You never know what you may find! And it’s just as fun to visit in the winter.
Here are a few spots to check out:
- Belleplain State Forest
- Cox Hall Wildlife Management Area
- Cape May Point State Park
- Cape May Bird Observatory
New Jersey Birds To See in Cape May:
- Purple Martins
- Killdeer
- Kingbirds
- Orioles
- Herons
- Warblers
- Swans
- Scoters
- Egrets
- Ospreys
- Terns
- Gulls
- Swallows
- Wrens
- Hummingbirds
- Woodpeckers
- Flycatchers
- Blue Grosbeak
- Indigo Bunting
Don’t Miss A Thing! See & Capture Birds with Your Phone!
- HD Binoculars with Phone Adapter & Tripod
- Tripod Included
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- Carrying Case
- Monocular Telescope for Smartphone with Tripod
- One-Hand Only
- Tripod Included
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Birds in Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge (Basking Ridge)
Nestled in Morris County, Great Swamp is an absolutely beautiful birding spot. Here, you can walk along boardwalks enveloped by trees and surrounded by swamp sounds. The refuge consists of 7,768 acres of varied habitats, and the refuge has become an important resting and feeding area for more than 244 species of birds.
Discover More Wildlife Refuges
Fox, deer, muskrat, turtles, fish, frogs, and a wide variety of wildflowers and plants can be found on the refuge too. You can also check out The Raptor Trust during your trip, a wild bird rehabilitation center with resident raptors that you can visit.
New Jersey Birds to see in the Great Swamp:
- Great Horned Owls
- Barred Owls
- Warblers
- Nuthatches
- Herons
- Egrets
- Kingfishers
- Flycatchers
- Woodpeckers
- Swallows
This handy book features 132 species of New Jersey birds organized by color for ease of use. Full-page photographs present the species as you’ll see them in nature, and a “compare” feature helps you to decide between look-alikes.
The Meadowlands (Bergen, Hudson counties)
The Meadowlands is a breathtaking spot consisting of 8,400 acres of wetlands stretched along the Hackensack and Passaic Rivers, near Newark Bay: a real gem in the urbanized area of North Jersey! Bergen County Audubon Society leads free walks throughout the Meadowlands all year long.
Hackensack Riverkeeper also runs pontoon boat tours occasionally from River Barge Park. There is no better way to see the Meadowlands than by boat!
Where You See Birds:
- Teaneck Creek Conservancy
- Mill Creek Marsh (a great place for kayaking, too!)
- Richard W. DeKorte Park
- River Barge Park
New Jersey Birds to see in the Meadowlands:
- Egrets
- Herons
- Goldfinches
- Rails
- Bitterns
- Osprey
- Terns
- Swallows
- Waterfowl
- Raptors
- Wrens
- Gulls
- Sparrows
- Shorebirds
Edwin B. Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge (Galloway)
Arguably, if you visit any birding spot in New Jersey, it should be Forsythe NWR, known as “Brig” to birders. Located in Atlantic County, every day is an incredible birding day at Brig. You could see upwards of 70 bird species in one visit.
The refuge comprises over 47,000 acres of southern New Jersey coastal habitats, actively managed for migratory birds. The refuge is in one of the Atlantic Flyways most active flight paths, making it an essential link in seasonal bird migration.
You can also bird by car here, driving along Wildlife Drive throughout the refuge.
New Jersey Birds in Edwin B. Forsythe Refuge:
- Egrets
- Herons
- Rails
- Bitterns
- Osprey
- Terns
- Swallows
- Waterfowls
- Raptors
- Wrens
- Gulls
- Sparrows
- Shorebirds
Birds in Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area (Sussex, Warren Counties)
You may have hiked the red and blue dot trails of Mount Tammany, but have you birded the Water Gap? The interesting landscapes and landforms throughout the Gap provide excellent bird habitats.
Over 260 species have been identified throughout the National Recreation Area, utilizing the river and stream corridors and the forests, ridges, ravines, fields, and grasslands of the Water Gap.
Here are a few spots to check out:
New Jersey Birds to see at the Delaware Water Gap:
- Warblers
- Flycatchers
- Thrushes
- Sparrows
- Warblers
- Pheasants/Grouse
- Vultures
- Turkeys
Raptors to see at Delaware Water Gap:
- Bald Eagles
- Golden Eagles
- Peregrine Falcons
Birds in Island Beach State Park
In Ocean County, Island Beach State Park is another barrier island along the Jersey coast. Stretching 10 miles between the Atlantic Ocean and Barnegat Bay, the park consists of over 3,000 acres of coastal dune, beach, thicket, freshwater wetlands, maritime forest, and tidal marshes. Stop into the many restaurants and shops of Long Beach Island on your way.
The state’s largest Osprey colony lives in IBSP. The Park is also an excellent spot for winter birding.
New Jersey Birds to see in Island Beach State Park:
- Ducks
- Eiders
- Scoters
- Shorebirds
- Sandpipers
- Gulls
- Loons
- Gannets
- Cormorants
- Herons
- Egrets
- Woodpeckers
- Kinglets
- Thrushes
- Finches/Crossbills
- Sparrows
Raptors in Island Beach State Park:
- Snowy Owls
- Northern Harriers
- Sharp-shinned Hawks
- Cooper’s Hawks
- Red-tailed Hawks
- Peregrine Falcons
Mercer Meadows (Lawrence Township)
Part of the Mercer County Parks System, Mercer Meadows is an excellent birding spot in Central Jersey. The Park boasts over 1,600 acres of woods, open meadows, young forest, shrublands, lakes, marshy areas, and small brooks through which the Stony Brook flows.
A spot to check out: Pole Farm
Raptors to see in Mercer County:
- Short-eared Owls
- Northern Harriers
- Hawks
New Jersey Birds to see in Mercer Meadows:
- Woodpeckers
- Kinglets
- Flycatchers
- Warblers
- Thrushes
- Sparrows
- Songbirds
Thompsons Beach (Heislerville)
There are ways to get out along the Delaware Bayshore throughout Cumberland County and much of South Jersey. The area contains salt marsh, woodland, beach, dune, and tidal river habitat. The Bayshore region is a critical migratory stopover for shorebirds, supporting the second-greatest shorebird congregation in North America.
Thompsons Beach is an incredible spot for marshland birding and spotting species along the Atlantic Ocean coastline.
New Jersey birds to see at Thompsons Beach:
- Raptors
- Federally-listed Red Knots
- Ruddy Turnstones
- Plovers
- Sandpipers
- Short-billed Dowitchers
- Whimbrels
- Willets
- Sparrows
- Rails
- Herons
- Egrets
- Waterfowl
- Wrens
Duke Farms (Hillsborough Township)
Situated in Somerset County, Duke Farms offers excellent birding and significant environmental education programming. Sitting on more than 1,000 acres of property, Duke Farms offers various birding habitats: lakes, vernal pools, meadows, farmland, and forests.
According to eBird data, over 215 bird species have been spotted at Duke Farms. While you’re there, you can also visit their Orchid Greenhouse and Red Bridge.
New Jersey Birds to see at Duke Farms:
- Raptors
- American Kestrel
- Red-tailed Hawks
- Northern Harriers
- Shorebirds
- Sparrows
- Woodpeckers
- Blackbirds
- Bluebirds
- Ravens
Garret Mountain (Passaic County)
Located in Passaic County, Garret Mountain is a hidden gem for bird enthusiasts offering remarkable opportunities for bird watching and immersive experiences in nature. Spanning a breathtaking landscape, Garret Mountain presents a diverse range of habitats, including woodlands, meadows, and wetlands, making it a haven for numerous bird species.
With its strategic location along the migratory route, Garret Mountain has become a favored destination for both resident and migratory birds. Avid birders have recorded an impressive array of over 200 bird species at this stunning location. Whether you’re a seasoned birder or just beginning your birding journey, Garret Mountain promises an unforgettable experience filled with captivating sightings.
New Jersey Birds to see at Garret Mountain:
- Red-tailed Hawks
- Northern Harriers
- Sandpipers
- Plovers
- Sparrows
- Northern Flicker
- Red-bellied Woodpecker
- Downy Woodpecker
- Red-winged Blackbird
- Common Grackle
- Brown-headed Cowbird
- Eastern Bluebirds
- Common Ravens
Find Birds Across The Entire State of New Jersey
If you are interested in birds but don’t see an area near you listed, consider visiting New Jersey Audubon Society‘s website to find centers, sanctuaries, and hawk watches throughout the state. Also, consider birding a “local patch” or area within walking distance from your home. You’d be amazed at how well you get to know your patch and how rewarding it is to observe seasonal changes.
This handy book features 132 species of New Jersey birds organized by color for ease of use. Full-page photographs present the species as you’ll see them in nature, and a “compare” feature helps you to decide between look-alikes.
A generous, knowledgeable community of Jersey birders helped to put this list together. There are over 30 other spots that we would be happy to share with you. Feel free to reach out to the author Lindsay McNamara for more information. Good birding!
