New Jersey Audubon’s Cape May Bird Observatory (CMBO) was founded in 1976
Hours
Northwood Center
Hours: Wed-Sun 9:30am-4:30pm
CLOSED Monday & Tuesday
Closed for Holidays
Ryan De Witt Memorial Trail – Open year-round, dawn to dusk
Why Visit Us In Cape May
National Geographic lists Cape May as a World’s Best destination for birding
Here is what they say: The narrow peninsula at Cape May acts as a bird funnel, bringing in songbirds during their spring and fall migrations. At dawn on a good day, legendary Higbee Beach offers front-row seats to a feathered fashion show: A steady procession flies by, each bird intent on finding a place to rest as it encounters the natural barrier of Delaware Bay. With a little luck, you can see 20 species of warblers, each in its own colorful costume.
Cape May has the best beach in New Jersey
“It’s Exit 0 on the Garden State Parkway, but No. 1 on our list” Â NJ.com
Birding!!
The main reason to come to our Cape May Bird Observatory in Cape May….SO.MANY.BIRDS.
Real-time Counts via Trektellen
Maps, Checklists, and Programs
Things To Do
- School of Birding
- Special Field Trips
- Weekly Walks
- Fall and Spring Festivals
- World Series of Birding
More To Do
- CMBO on Facebook
- CMBO on Twitter
- Become a Member
- Renew your Membership
- Become a Southern Regional Business Supporter
Special Programs
Cape May School of Birding
These workshops are a fun and attentive way to visit one of the best birding and natural history places on the planet. From our cadre of in-depth birding excursions to a celebration of butterflies, dragonflies, and all things wild, you’re sure to find an offering that catches your eye. All of our workshops are led by experts in their field: world-class birders and naturalists that have often written the guides we all rely on. Our intimate approach to enjoyment and teaching will provide the opportunity and information you need to grow in understanding and appreciation – the leader-to-participant ratio is 12:1 or better.
While the majority of time is spent in the field watching birds and nature, some of the workshops will incorporate an indoor session – a chance to demonstrate and discuss identification, techniques, conservation, and ecology. Along the way, you’ll meet like-minded people and are sure to form lasting memories and friendships. From beginner to advanced, all are welcome! All the while, your registration fees are helping support the mission of New Jersey Audubon’s Cape May Bird Observatory.
Details and descriptions of all our preregistration programs are available on the registration site (Special Field Trips in brown and School of Birding Workshops in blue).  All special field trips require advance registration, and the number of participants is limited to ensure the best experience. Upon completion of registration, you will receive a confirmation email that also contains attached details and directions – please look all the materials over and retain for your records. Sign up early to secure your spot!
NEW JERSEY AUDUBON AND CAPE MAY BIRD OBSERVATORY MEMBERS RECEIVE A 25% DISCOUNT ON ALL SPECIAL FIELD TRIPS AND WORKSHOPS – please make sure to indicate you are a current member at registration checkout. Not a member – join now at FeatherEdge Optics, by contacting the Program Registrar at 609-400-3864 , or in person at the nearest NJA center.
Cape May Bird Observatory Weekly Walks
CMBO’s Weekly Walks are regularly scheduled programs and activities, led by our stellar Associate Naturalists and professional staff, that take place at all the best birding and natural history locations around Cape May. These walks change throughout the year, focusing on the best of each season, whether that is breeding hotspots, winter visitors, or the spectacle of migration. Normally two or three hours in duration, these walks are sure to fit nature into your busy schedule. All experience levels are welcome, and those marked E-Z Birding and A Bird Walk for All People are especially geared for beginners or a relaxed pace. A full schedule of Weekly Walks is published seasonally in The Kestrel Express, along with our Special Field Trips, School of Birding Workshops, Festivals, and other events.
NO PREREGISTRATION is necessary for our weekly walks – just show before the designated start time. Children age 15 and younger are free. Although children accompanied by parents are always welcome, walks that are especially Family-friendly are noted. New Jersey Audubon and Cape May Bird Observatory members receive a discount on weekly walks, as indicated in the individual walk descriptions. Not a member? Join now at FeatherEdge Optics, by contacting the Program Registrar at 609-400-3864 , or in person at the nearest NJA center.
These walks meet at locations highlighted on the CMBO Bird and Butterfly Map of Cape May County. Bring binoculars (loaners often available if you don’t have any), field guides, bug repellent, sunscreen, and drinking water. Dress for prevailing weather and protection from sun, heat, cold, wind, rain, and insects according to season. Most of our weekly walks involve walking a mile or more on varied terrain, such as asphalt, boardwalk, gravel, beach, and dirt (sometimes muddy) paths.
For more accessibility for those with limited mobility, contact the Northwood Center at 609-400-3868 .
Note: Programs may be cancelled due to difficult/unsafe weather conditions.
Special Field Trips
Cape May Bird Observatory’s Special Field Trips offer you a chance to experience the natural wonders of the Cape May area alongside our Associate Naturalists. These outings take our weekly walks a step further, with extended opportunities for viewing birds and other wildlife. They are single day events (two – six hours in length) that target famous local hotspots and are timed to capture diversity and abundance during the breeding, migratory, and winter seasons. Join us on one of these exciting excursions!
Details and descriptions of all our preregistration programs are available on the registration site (Special Field Trips in brown and School of Birding Workshops in blue).  All special field trips require advance registration, and the number of participants is limited to ensure the best experience. Upon completion of registration, you will receive a confirmation email that also contains attached details and directions – please look all the materials over and retain for your records. Sign up early to secure your spot!
NEW JERSEY AUDUBON AND CAPE MAY BIRD OBSERVATORY MEMBERS RECEIVE A 25% DISCOUNT ON ALL SPECIAL FIELD TRIPS AND WORKSHOPS – please make sure to indicate you are a current member at registration checkout. Not a member – join now at FeatherEdge Optics, by contacting the Program Registrar at 609-400-3864 , or in person at the nearest NJA center.
Guide for Hire — A tailor-made service to maximize your birding experience.
New Jersey Audubon offers a wide range of regularly scheduled walks, programs, workshops, and other events for visiting birders. Even so, you might find there’s nothing that quite fits your schedule; or perhaps you are planning a visit with some very specific locations you want to visit or certain species of birds you hope to see.
With this in mind, we are pleased to offer our Guides for Hire program, specially tailored to suit your personal needs, whether for an individual or group. Our guides are hand-picked from the wonderful cadre of top birdwatchers who are lucky enough to call the Garden State their home; all have a common thread—a superb local knowledge of birds and wildlife, and a passion to showcase the natural wonders of places like Cape May, Sandy Hook, and Forsythe NWR to visitors, ensuring your birding experience is the best it can be.
The chart below provides a sampling of the cost to hire a guide for a half-day (4 hours max) or full day (8 hours max), for a variety of group sizes.
|
Participants |
Fees Half-Day |
Fees Full-Day |
| 1 | $ 150.00 | $ 250.00 |
| 2 | $ 200.00 | $ 350.00 |
| 3 | $ 225.00 | $ 400.00 |
| 4 | $ 250.00 | $ 450.00 |
| 5 | $ 275.00 | $ 500.00 |
| 6 | $ 300.00 | $ 550.00 |
| 7 | $ 325.00 | $ 600.00 |
| 8 | $ 350.00 | $ 650.00 |
| 9 | $ 375.00 | $ 700.00 |
| 10 | $ 400.00 | $ 750.00 |
Important Information:
 – Please allow at least 2 weeks advance notice for any guide request. Spring and fall are our busiest times and may require more advance notice to book a guide.Â
 – Guides cannot be guaranteed and may not be available during peak times or special events such as the World Series of Birding, Spring Festival, and Fall Festival.Â
– All transportation is the responsibility of the participant(s). Neither New Jersey Audubon nor Cape May Bird Observatory are liable for any guide driving any participant during the course of the trip. Specific guides may be requested but are subject to availability. Rates may be subject to change. Rates are for 1/2 day (max. four hours) or a full day (max. eight hours). No refunds or allowances for less time used. Details of deposits due, cancellation policy etc. can be obtained by contacting the CMBO Program Registrar.
If you are interested in booking a tour, please fill out this inquiry form and return via email attachment to [email protected]
For further details of our Guide for Hire service, please contact:
For South Jersey (Forsythe/Brigantine) and points South, please contact the Program Registrar at 609-400-3864 or by email: [email protected]
For North Jersey (Forsythe/Brigantine) and points North, please contact Scott Barnes at 609-400-3859 or by email: [email protected]
About Cape May Bird Observatory
Founded in 1976 by New Jersey Audubon, the Cape May Bird Observatory (CMBO) is a leader in research, environmental education, bird conservation, and recreational birding activities.
CMBO fulfills New Jersey Audubon’s twofold mission of connect people to nature and steward the nature of today for the people of tomorrow in several special ways.
First, embedded in the DNA of CMBO, is our charge of keeping our finger on the pulse of migration. We do this through annual counts and censuses of wlidlife, starting with the Cape May Hawkwatch in 1976, and including the Monarch Monitoring Project (est. 1990), the Avalon Seawatch (est. 1993) and the Morning Flight Songbird Count (est. 2003), and a host of other conservation-driven studies.
Second, we are training the conservation leaders of tomorrow, today, through our seasonal internships, George Myers Naturalist position, and year-round Associate Naturalist programs. Previous interns have gone on to run non-profit organizations, become community leaders in environmental justice, and to carry the torch of spreading the conservation ethic to future generations.
Finally, because we are located a tank of gas from 60 million people, we throw a great party to raise awareness for wildlife and wildlife habitat conservation! Our flagship festivals, the Cape May Fall Festival and Cape May Spring Festival, bring thousands of visitors to Cape May each year to celebrate the magic of migration at one of the greatest migration hotspots on earth! Each May our World Series of Birding engages over 300 participants from all over the world and raises hundreds of thousands of dollars for bird conservation, while highlighting the amazing diversity of birds across the Garden State.
Funded almost entirely by the support of an international membership, two facilities serve our members’ needs and interests.
There are few places in North America which have been birded longer or have more birding advocates than Cape May, New Jersey, one of the planet’s most celebrated migratory junctions. An array of habitat types and a wealth of protected natural areas make Cape May and the entire Delaware Bayshore a birding destination for all seasons. Wind and geography conspire to direct millions of migrating hawks, seabirds, shorebirds, songbirds, butterflies, and dragonflies here every autumn.
Training the Conservation Leaders of Tomorrow
- GM Naturalist
- Seasonal Naturalists
- Associate Naturalists and Field Trip Leaders
Keeping our finger on the pulse of Migration
- Phenomenon of migration – spring and fall
- Migration counts
- Migration counter positions
International Friendship Agreement
This Friendship Agreement provides the framework for mutual cooperation between New Jersey Audubon Society’s Cape May Bird Observatory, (New Jersey, USA), Falsterbo Fågelstation (Sweden), Spurn Bird Observatory (UK) and Bird Studies Canada’s Long Point Bird Observatory (Ontario, Canada). This document outlines the relationship between the respective bird observatories to further our knowledge and wonder at the birds, wildlife, habitat and people using each site through the seasons and for the mutual benefit of the observatories. Learn more here
Staff & Personnel
Brett Ewald
Director of Cape May Bird Observatory
Scott Barnes
Senior Naturalist
Jessica Schera-Scullion
Administrative Assistant
Lillian Armstrong
Special Events Director
Shannon DeAngelis
Events Assistant
Brian Moscatello
Sales Manager
CariAnne Slotterback
Retail Operations Assistant
Deborah Shaw
Nature Store Associate
Adehl Schwaderer
Program Coordinator
Tom Reed
Migration Count Coordinator
Rene Buccinna
Administrative Assistant
Contact Us
The Northwood Center
701 East Lake Drive
Cape May Point, NJ 08212
609-400-3868
[email protected]