Cape May Bird Observatory

05/30/2026

CMBO's Scott Barnes and his associate naturalists recently led two trips along Old Mine Rd/Delaware Water Gap. The woods were full of spring birdsong, with many vocal Hooded Warblers, trilling Worm-eating Warblers singing from rocky hillsides, and Louisiana Waterthrushes bobbing their way up and down the creeks. One of the highlights was absolutely fabulous views of a Swainson's Warbler singing only feet away from the group. This rare southern visitor has returned for its 2nd year here, appearing in the same exact spot. Trying to get a look at a presumed Blue-winged Warbler, the group was surprised to see a striking male Lawrence's Warbler-the rarer of the two hybrids between Golden-winged and Blue-winged Warblers. We have one more field trip to this area next week.

https://njaudubon.org/event/old-mine-rd-delaware-water-gap-11/

05/26/2026

Don’t forget, we will be drawing the winner at 12 noon today and we will be calling the lucky winner a few minutes later!

https://www.tapkat.org/new-jersey-audubon/v5R8xk

Best of luck to all who entered!

Have a dream stay in historic Cape May full of birding, dining, shopping, history, the beach, a spa treatment and more, all enjoyed through the lenses of brand-new Zeiss binoculars. This package features two nights at La Mer Beachfront Resort* (subject to availability), which is right on Beach Ave.....

05/17/2026

Amidst the excitement of our annual Cape May Spring Festival, we’re sharing another Springwatch update!

The past two weeks have brought a spectacular diversity of migrants to the Springwatch platform, with first and frequent sightings of Blue Grosbeaks, Indigo Buntings, Baltimore Orioles, Orchard Orioles, and Gray Catbirds.

May has also marked the return of many migratory warblers, including Yellow Warbler (5/7), Cape May Warbler and Northern Parula (5/8), Ovenbird (5/11), Blackpoll Warbler, Yellow-breasted Chat, Veery (5/11), American Redstart (5/12), and Northern Waterthrush (5/14).

Clear, favorable conditions triggered several waves of overnight migration, with north-northwest winds on May 8th producing one of the month’s most exciting migration days. Two Mississippi Kites and the season’s first Summer Tanager, Dickcissel, and Yellow-billed Cuckoo were seen on the 8th. May 11th continued the momentum, as migrants concentrated along the coast, bringing Veerys, Rose-breasted Grosbeaks, and the season’s first Black-billed Cuckoo to the Springwatch.

Rarities included Glaucous Gull (5/6) and Bar-tailed Godwit (5/11). This Bar-tailed Godwit represents only New Jersey’s 9th known record, Cape May County’s 3rd, and Cape Island’s very first documented sighting.

Springfest kicked off May 15th with multiple Mississippi Kites observed across Cape May. Highlights from the Springwatch platform that day included a record flight of 86 Royal Terns, more than doubling the previous high of 34 set in 2025, along with 109 Cliff Swallows, one of the top five Cliff Swallow days in Springwatch history.

With Red Knots arriving earlier this month (5/4), more frequent sightings of Ruddy Turnstones, Semipalmated Sandpipers, Semipalmated Plovers, Least Terns, and Black Skimmers can be expected.

Our thanks go to Larry and Judy Winne, our migration watch sponsor .nature, and the Borough of Cape May Point. With 2 weeks left in the count, if you get the chance, visit the Springwatch platform at the Coral Avenue dune crossing in Cape May Point or click the link in our bio to stay updated!

Photo 1: Cliff Swallow by Martina Nordstrand
Photo 2: Royal Tern by Kojo Baidoo
Photo 3: Glaucous Gull by Tom Reed

05/16/2026

Don’t forget, only 2 days left to enter to win a weekend away in Cape May!

https://www.tapkat.org/new-jersey-audubon/v5R8xk

Enter to win the 2026 Spring Fest Sweepstakes by Sunday, May 17th!

Have a dream stay in historic Cape May full of birding, dining, shopping, history, the beach, a spa treatment and more, all enjoyed through the lenses of brand-new Zeiss binoculars. This package features two nights at La Mer Beachfront Resort* (subject to availability), which is right on Beach Ave.....

05/15/2026

This past Sunday marked the end of the annual World Series of Birding. The culmination of months of planning and preparation, the WSB Award Brunch celebrated the efforts of over 80 participating teams across New Jersey. Awards were presented to the teams with the most species in the Youth Division and the Level I Bird Conservation Challenge. In addition, every team got the opportunity to take the mic and share a highlight of the day.

To view all the results, check out the World Series of Birding website. Thank you to all the teams that participated and helped raise money and awareness for bird and habitat conservation!

05/14/2026

Staying for the weekend or even just a day? You’re in luck!

The Delaware Bay hosts the 2nd largest concentration of shorebirds in the Americas. Each spring, more than 1 million shorebirds gather along our shorelines to fuel up for the final leg of their journey: a non-stop flight to their breeding grounds in the arctic tundra.

Fueling up with what, you might ask? Horseshoe crab eggs!

Mid-may, during the full or new moon, Horseshoe Crabs spawn along the shore to lay eggs, with each female laying up to 80,000 eggs in one season. The Delaware Bay is home to the largest and densest population of Horseshoe Crabs in the world. While they spend most of their lives roaming the ocean floor feeding on detritus, they return to the Delaware Bayshore each spring to breed.

This keystone food source attracts 9 different species of migratory shorebirds can be regularly seen along the Delaware Bayshore this time of year, with 5 of the most abundant being:

Ruddy Turnstone
Red Knot
Semipalmated Sandpiper
Sanderling
Dunlin

While enjoying your time in and around Cape May, take a moment to scan the shoreline; you’ll never know what you’ll find!

If you are in the area and what to gain an even deeper look at spring migration and the life of shorebirds, be sure to join us this weekend for two FREE evening programs. All are welcome to join us Friday evening, May 15th, for a special film screening of “Nature’s Highway: Flyway of Life”, along with a Q&A session with award-winning Director and Producer, Tomas Koeck. Then on Saturday evening, May 16th, don’t miss a presentation by our Spring Festival Keynote Speaker, Scott Weidensaul, featuring his newest book “The Return of the Oystercatcher”. More details for each program are in the comments.

Photo 2: Ruddy Turnstones by Sarah Thomasson
Photo 3: Red Knots by Sarah Thomasson
Photo 4: Semipalmated Sandpipers by Martina Nordstrand
Photo 5: Sanderlings by Chriss Neff
Photo 6: Dulin by Martina Nordstrand

05/14/2026

Only 4 days left to enter to win a weekend away in Cape May!

https://www.tapkat.org/new-jersey-audubon/v5R8xk

Enter to win the 2026 Spring Fest Sweepstakes by Sunday, May 17th!

05/13/2026

It’s happening! After a lengthy 7 months of renovations, CMBO’s new and improved Northwood Center is ready for its debut.

We will be open to the public beginning this Friday, May 15th at 9:30am. Moving forwards, the Center will be open daily from 9:30am-4:30pm through the fall season. In addition to a brand-new accessibility ramp, indoor classroom space, and public restrooms, we’ve also made extensive improvements to our Ryan De Witt Memorial Trail.

Make sure to stop by for a visit to see all these new improvements for yourself!

A huge thank you goes out to our donors for making this renovation possible.

05/10/2026

Enter to win the 2026 Spring Fest Sweepstakes!

https://www.tapkat.org/new-jersey-audubon/v5R8xk

Only 7 days left to enter to win a weekend away in Cape May!

05/08/2026

There’s no such thing as “just a bird”, especially if you’re competing in the World Series of Birding tomorrow.

In less than 24 hours, bird enthusiasts far and wide will spend the day counting as many bird species as they can find. Whether traveling across the state or staying right here in Cape May, our shared goal is to raise money for bird conservation.

Best of luck to all the teams and to anyone who feels inspired to join in on the action!

Inspo: .birder

Mallard photo by Martina Nordstrand
Common Grackle photo by Martina Nordstrand
American Robin photo by Kojo Baidoo
Turkey Vulture photo by Martina Nordstrand
Herring Gull photo by Martina Nordstrand