Cape May Bird Observatory

08/25/2026

Hoping to experience the best of fall birding in Cape May? Look no further! Join local birding expert and artist Louise Zemaitis for a three-day birding workshop this September 14th to 16th.

Not too early and not too late, September is the prime time for fall migration, making it one of the best months to spot warblers, flycatchers, vireos, and other migratory songbirds that stop in Cape May during their southward migration. The Fall Migration at Cape May workshop also includes opportunities to see shorebirds, seabirds, and raptors passing through. You’ll spend your time exploring multiple locations throughout Cape May while picking up new identification tips from Louise.

Check all the details for this trip here: https://njaudubon.org/event/fall-migration-at-cape-may-3/

Come experience fall migration in Cape May for yourself!

Photo 1: Red Knot by Josh Davidson
Photo 2: Pine Warbler by Josh Davidson
Photo 3: Great Crested Flycatcher by Josh Davidson

08/22/2026

Last Saturday, we hosted a workday on our Ryan De Witt Memorial Trail where our staff and volunteers prepped and planted nearly 150 plugs of Pennsylvania Sedge, a type of ground cover native to New Jersey. As it grows, Pennsylvania sedge will establish a dense network of roots that’ll help stabilize our hillside and reduce erosion.

Did you know that sedges are not grasses, but in a class of their very own! The classic phrase “sedges have edges” refers to the solid, triangular shape of their stems, as opposed to the hollow, round, or flat stems of traditional grasses. Sedge seeds also provide food for dozens of native birds, insects, and mammals, while the dense vegetation creates protection and shelter for ground nesters and foragers.

A huge thank you goes out to the De Witt family for providing these plugs, as well as their continued support and care for the Memorial Trail. And one last thank you to all the volunteers who have donated their time to maintaining the habitat at the Northwood Center this year.

08/21/2026

We are still accepting applications for the Nature Store Manager position at our Northwood Center!

Do you love and have experience with birds, optics, talking to people about nature, and retail? We want you to join our team!

Details and application information can be found at:
https://njaudubon.org/who-we-are/careers/

After decades of service to New Jersey Audubon and the Cape May Bird Observatory, Brian Moscatello has decided to step away from the position of Nature Store Manager at CMBO’s Northwood Center in Cape May Point, NJ.

In other words – we’re hiring!

Do you love and have experience with birds, optics, talking to people about nature, and retail? We want you to join our team!

Details and application information can be found at:
https://njaudubon.org/who-we-are/careers/

Thanks to Brian for all he has done for birds and conservation!

08/20/2026

Can you believe the Cape May Hawkwatch starts in less than 2 weeks? Starting September 1st, our Interpretive Naturalists will be stationed at Cape May Point State Park to share their knowledge and help you get the most out of your birding experience.

Want to make the most out of fall migration this year? Registration is open for the 2026 Cape May Fall Festival!

NJ Audubon’s 80th Fall Festival will take place October 15th-18th. This 3-and-a-half-day birding bonanza features a wide selection of guided field trips led by our extremely talented naturalists. From field trips, trolley trips, boat trips, and bus trips, there’s plenty to do and experience!

Don’t want the magic to end? Consider a 2- or 3-day registration and fully immerse yourself in the world-renowned Cape May birding scene while celebrating CMBO’s 50th Anniversary!

Featured events you won’t want to miss include the Thursday Evening Kickoff party, Friday Evening VIP Reception at The Nature Place in Convention Hall, and Saturday Evening Keynote Presentation and book signing featuring Dr. Laurie Goodrich.

Not sure where to stay? Take advantage of a discounted nightly rate at the Grand Hotel of Cape May, located conveniently on Beach Avenue, for registered attendees.

Learn morehttps://cvent.me/ZD2o50

Registration closes on October 10th, and spots are filling fast. We can’t wait to see you there!

We are also thankful to ZEISS for their support of the Cape May Hawkwatch for a second season.

Photo: American Kestrel by Martina Nordstrand

08/18/2026

Birding Break!

CMBO's Director, Brett Ewald, glanced out the front door at our Northwood Center this afternoon just as a Golden-winged Warbler was eyeing up the birdbath - what luck! This resulted in a classic "drop-everything" moment at the center as staff, volunteers, and a number of visitors enjoyed the opportunity to see this increasingly scarce Cape May visitor.

Unsurprisingly, our Tom Reed stayed out a little longer and documented some other visitors to the Northwood grounds and the Ryan De Witt Memorial Trail. Check out his photos, and come see it for yourself: our restored habitat continues to be a haven for wildlife of all sorts, common and rare alike.

Photos by Tom Reed:
1. Golden-winged Warbler
2. Golden-winged Warbler fan club
3. Coastal Scissor(s) Grinder Cicada
4. Blue Dasher dragonfly
5. Black-and-white Warbler

08/16/2026

Today's All Things Birds trip to Forsythe NWR enjoyed a close look at a juvenile Black Tern and a continuing Lark Sparrow found earlier this week. It was a great day for seeing lots of terns in lots of plumages; we found 7 species with a mix of adults and begging juveniles. Thanks to everyone who joined us on a pleasant summer day and to our associate naturalists! Our weekly trips here continue through Labor Day Weekend.
https://njaudubon.org/calendar/category/all-things-birds/list/

08/13/2026

Birds have never been the only things we monitor at this observatory! Shown here is a Striped Saddlebags, a tropical/subtropical dragonfly that occasionally wanders north during late summer and autumn--and it appears that a number of them are doing just that in recent weeks.

Following an initial sighting in Del Haven on August 2, a few additional reports came in during our recent stretch of notably hot (tropical?) weather. But then came yesterday.

Our migration monitoring coordinator, Tom Reed, noticed a couple moving through the dunes at Cape May Point during the morning and then a few more at our Northwood Center around noon. In the afternoon, songbird counter Aaron Reb surveyed multiple locations at the Point and came up with a remarkable total of 64 individuals, including a few ovipositing!

While we aren't sure what drives these movements (not yet, anyway), observations like these contribute another piece of the puzzle, or another new idea to ponder, when it comes to Cape May's ever-changing natural world.

Striped Saddlebags is also a species we watch for during our 3x-a-day insect migration counts during the fall, part of CMBO's Monarch Monitoring Project. Will they keep moving into autumn? Will other southern species join them? We'll be there to find out!

Photos of male Striped Saddlebags, by Aaron Reb.

08/12/2026

Looking for a day or two of birding at one of the best locations in the mid-Atlantic for shorebirds? Join Scott Barnes, Linda Mack, and Carole Hughes on Aug 25-26 at Bombay Hook NWR in central Delaware. We can expect to find up to 20 sp. of shorebirds including hundreds of American Avocets, plus lots of herons, egrets, rails, and terns. Recent rarities seen on the refuge include Curlew Sandpiper and Painted Bunting.

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1984506825336?aff=oddtdtcreator

08/08/2026

Week one at CMBO's Morning Flight count is in the books! True to the calendar, the season's first several days featured warm, muggy, and at times soggy weather; winds maintained a southerly component on 6 of 7 days. Still, a nice collection of early-season migrants, such as those in the photos, were noted during the first 27 hours of observation time. We're looking at the potential for more favorable conditions later next week, so stay tuned! As always, daily totals and more info about this project can be found at our website: https://njaudubon.org/watch/morning-flight/

Photos by Tom Reed:
1. Orchard Oriole
2. Northern Yellow Warbler
3. Eastern Kingbird
4. Hooded Warbler (better luck next time!)
5. Northern Mockingbird

08/05/2026

If you are ready to start your preparation for fall migration, we hope you can join us next Wednesday at the Lower Cape Library for our Raptor ID program!

Happening next Wednesday! 🥳
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Are you a beginner birder looking for tips on identifying raptors? 🕵️‍♀️ Or maybe you're a more experienced birder looking to find out how to tell apart a Sharp-shinned Hawk and a Cooper's Hawk! 🐦
This presentation is suited for anyone with an interest in birds, no matter your skill level in identification!
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Registration is requested. For more info or to register: https://cmcl.org/event/15907919
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