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Events for October 3, 2026
The Nature Conservancy Little Sit Event Cape May
What is a Little Sit? A spin on the annual, international birding event The Big Sit, this event takes that idea and slows it down. Join the Nature Conservancy and the Cape May Bird Observatory staff for a fun, educational challenge to see how many birds we can identify from one location. In the fall, South Cape May Meadows is the perfect location to see migrating shorebirds, songbirds and raptors. As a part of this event, we will have benches for sitting, binoculars and spotting scopes for viewing, and educational materials to assist with bird identification. No matter your level of birding experience, you are welcome to help us add to our morning species total!! An ASL interpreter will be provided for this event. No need to pre-register, simply show up for a fun morning of birding! RAIN DATE will be Sunday October 4 Location Information: South Cape May Meadows, Sunset Blvd, Cape May, NJ. Click the following link for directions: https://maps.app.goo.gl/VFXqNr2iiEUg473g8 Parking: Three designated accessible parking spaces with aisle access on paved concrete. Additionally, there are 37 standard car spaces on compact gravel. Restroom: An ADA-compliant portable restroom is situated near the parking area. Trained service animals are welcome. CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFO
Raptor Migration at its Best
Join CMBO Director Brett Ewald and CMBO Naturalists for this workshop. Bird the “raptor capital of North America” at the peak of diversity. Bird the “raptor capital of North America” at the peak of diversity, when falcons are zipping along the dunes, accipiters are flap, flap, flapping by, buteos are soaring overhead, and eagles are chasing Ospreys. Early October often produces flights in the thousands and is the peak time for Peregrine Falcons and others. It is a rare moment during October in Cape May when raptors are not in view and this concentration of birds should ensure that we almost always have something to look at. Learn how to tell buteos from accipiters, falcons from eagles, at the very edge of your eyesight or right overhead, and focus on tricky species-pairs, such as the many ways to tell Sharp-shinned from Cooper’s Hawks. We’ll visit areas around Cape May to make the most of your raptor watching on this “in the field” workshop. We’ll also be in a prime location to enjoy other migrants, such as shorebirds, late warblers, early sparrows, and more! Because of the inherent dynamic nature of birding, we do not pre-set an exact itinerary but will visit those parts of Cape May County that regularly hold good numbers of birds. Final location decisions will be made by the leader based on local knowledge and conditions at the time. We may walk up to 1.5 miles, over generally level, sometimes muddy or sandy terrain. PREREGISTRATION REQUIRED - Ticket sales end 24hrs before start of program COST: $100 members, $130 nonmembers. Interested in becoming a member? Please click on the following link to learn more or join: Become a Member today! IMPORTANT INFORMATION: We bird in all weather. Be sure to check the forecast in advance and dress in layers appropriate for prevailing weather conditions. The weather in Cape May can differ considerably from nearby inland areas and may be warmer, colder, or windier so it’s best to be over prepared. We may have to bird in the rain, so please bring your rain gear. TRANSPORTATION: Please arrive at the appointed time with a full tank of gas, as transportation to field sites is by private vehicles. We may walk up to 1.5 miles, over generally level, sometimes muddy or sandy terrain. Some trips involve walks over jetties. CANCELLATION: CMBO programs require a minimum number of registrants to run, five days in advance of the start of the tour but are seldom cancelled. If we do cancel, due to lack of participation, severe weather, or unforeseen circumstances, we notify all participants in advance, and all are eligible for a full credit or refund. Participants may cancel without penalty if greater than 30 days in advance. Cancellations 10 to 30 days in advance may be subject to a 25% service charge. No refunds or credits for cancellations less than ten days in advance unless due to health emergencies. REGISTER HERE
Island Beach State Park
One of the gems of the state park system, Island Beach has miles of beach, tidal wetlands, maritime forest and thickets that can host a good diversity of birds, especially if the winds are right. There is a $5 entry fee for NJ residents who do not have a state park pass or are 65 years of age or older. Be prepared for several hours of walking on flat terrain, sometimes sandy. Bring lunch. Led by Scott Barnes and Linda Mack. A NOTE ON MEETING LOCATION! We'll meet just outside of the park entrance, in the median parking lot at the end of Rt. 35. PRE-REGISTRATION REQUIRED COST: $25 Members, $30 Non-members REGISTER HERE
Fall Native Plant Sale
Join us for an exceptional native plant sale celebrating the beauty and ecological importance of our region's indigenous flora! Lorrimer Sanctuary, presents a carefully curated selection of native species perfect for fall planting. Discover over 30 native plant species that support local wildlife and thrive in our regional climate. Naturalists will be available to help you make the perfect selection. For more information visit: Fall Native Plant Sale | Facebook
Fall Native Plant Sale
Native trees, shrubs and wildflowers will be available for sale during our annual Fall Native Plant Sale at the Scherman Hoffman Nature Center! Native plants benefit pollinators, such as bees and hummingbirds, and the caterpillars upon which both resident and migratory birds depend. Help create the habitat that is needed to attract wildlife to your backyard. Fall is the perfect time to plant perennials, shrubs and trees in order to give plants time to establish roots before the ground freezes, so that they are ready to flower and leaf out the following year. Some of the trees that will be available for sale include Common pawpaw, Eastern redbud and Common persimmon. Shrubs that will be available include Sweet pepperbush, American witch-hazel, Winterberry, Spicebush, Pussy willow, Elderberry, Steeplebush and Highbush blueberry. Flowering perennials that will be available include Swamp milkweed, Purple coneflower, Black-eyed Susan, Wild ginger, Butterfly weed, and Cardinal flower. We will have Cinnamon fern available, as well as Trumpet vine, and many other species. Come early to find the plant that you are looking for.
Learn to Play Wingspan!
Join our tutorial game day and learn how to play Wingspan! Join our tutorial game day and learn how to play Wingspan! Wingspan is a popular, fun, nature-oriented board game chock full of bird facts and beautiful bird illustrations. Our tutorial session will focus on a review of game objectives, setup, player actions, and goals. No experience necessary. Recommended for adults due to the required reading ability, strategizing, and understanding of rules. After our session, join us for a half-hour walk around the Nature Center gardens and Cape May Harbor beach in search of bird species featured in the game. Loaner binoculars will be available. WHERE: Nature Center of Cape May, 1600 Delaware Avenue, Cape May, NJ. WHEN: Saturday October 3rd, 1pm-3pm COST: $10 NJA members, $15 nonmembers Interested in becoming a member? Please click on the following link to learn more or join: Become a Member Today! CANCELLATION POLICY: NJ Audubon’s programs require a minimum number of registrants to run. If we cancel, due to lack of participation, severe weather, or unforeseen circumstances, all participants will be notified as soon as possible and are eligible for a full refund. Participants may cancel without penalty if greater than 48 hours in advance. Sorry, no refund for cancellations less than 48 hours in advance unless due to health emergencies; however, registrations can be transferred to another program in the future. REGISTER HERE
Seabird ID Mini-Workshop
Avalon Seawatch AvalonThe migration of scoters and other sea ducks, loons, cormorants and gannets can be an overwhelming sight. For example, the CMBO full-time Avalon Seawatch project sighted over one million seabirds here in 2014! Join CMBO interpretive naturalists for this outdoor workshop to witness and learn about this migration spectacle. Meets at the Avalon Seawatch location on the Beach between 8th and 9th St., at the north end of Avalon. NO preregistration required. IMPORTANT INFORMATION: Bring binoculars, scope and tripod, if available Dress in layers for wind, cold, or warm weather COST: FREE Interested in becoming a member? Please click on the following link to learn more or join: Become a Member today!
Seabird ID Mini-Workshop
Avalon Seawatch AvalonThe migration of scoters and other sea ducks, loons, cormorants and gannets can be an overwhelming sight. For example, the CMBO full-time Avalon Seawatch project sighted over one million seabirds here in 2014! Join CMBO interpretive naturalists for this outdoor workshop to witness and learn about this migration spectacle. Meets at the Avalon Seawatch location on the Beach between 8th and 9th St., at the north end of Avalon. NO preregistration required. IMPORTANT INFORMATION: Bring binoculars, scope and tripod, if available Dress in layers for wind, cold, or warm weather COST: FREE Interested in becoming a member? Please click on the following link to learn more or join: Become a Member today!
Seabird ID Mini-Workshop
Avalon Seawatch AvalonThe migration of scoters and other sea ducks, loons, cormorants and gannets can be an overwhelming sight. For example, the CMBO full-time Avalon Seawatch project sighted over one million seabirds here in 2014! Join CMBO interpretive naturalists for this outdoor workshop to witness and learn about this migration spectacle. Meets at the Avalon Seawatch location on the Beach between 8th and 9th St., at the north end of Avalon. NO preregistration required. IMPORTANT INFORMATION: Bring binoculars, scope and tripod, if available Dress in layers for wind, cold, or warm weather COST: FREE Interested in becoming a member? Please click on the following link to learn more or join: Become a Member today!
Seabird ID Mini-Workshop
Avalon Seawatch AvalonThe migration of scoters and other sea ducks, loons, cormorants and gannets can be an overwhelming sight. For example, the CMBO full-time Avalon Seawatch project sighted over one million seabirds here in 2014! Join CMBO interpretive naturalists for this outdoor workshop to witness and learn about this migration spectacle. Meets at the Avalon Seawatch location on the Beach between 8th and 9th St., at the north end of Avalon. NO preregistration required. IMPORTANT INFORMATION: Bring binoculars, scope and tripod, if available Dress in layers for wind, cold, or warm weather COST: FREE Interested in becoming a member? Please click on the following link to learn more or join: Become a Member today!
Seabird ID Mini-Workshop
Avalon Seawatch AvalonThe migration of scoters and other sea ducks, loons, cormorants and gannets can be an overwhelming sight. For example, the CMBO full-time Avalon Seawatch project sighted over one million seabirds here in 2014! Join CMBO interpretive naturalists for this outdoor workshop to witness and learn about this migration spectacle. Meets at the Avalon Seawatch location on the Beach between 8th and 9th St., at the north end of Avalon. NO preregistration required. IMPORTANT INFORMATION: Bring binoculars, scope and tripod, if available Dress in layers for wind, cold, or warm weather COST: FREE Interested in becoming a member? Please click on the following link to learn more or join: Become a Member today!