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Trail Guides
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Higbee Beach Wildlife Management Area
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6
 
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West End of New England Road, Cape May, NJ
Phone: (609) 628-2436
www.njfishandwildlife.org
NJ Department of Environmental Protection
Turn Left out of the Beanery parking area onto Bayshore Road. After a mile, turn Left onto CR 641/New England Road. After 1.2 miles on New England Road, the road will end in the Higbee Beach WMA parking lot. Map
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| Welcome to Higbee | Kevin Karlson |
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| | In September and October, birds on their southward migration are funneled down the Cape May peninsula, directly into Higbee Beach WMA. In spring, when birds are northbound, Higbee is the first landfall after crossing the Delaware Bay, so migrants will often stop to rest and feed. The area consists of a series of fields, hedgerows, and deciduous and dune forest. Birding is great year round, and best from April through November.
the dawn migration of land birds each fall. Turn Right onto the dirt road just before the main parking area, travel about two tenths of a mile and find a viewing platform on your left and a dike to your right, both providing great views of abundant migration. New Jersey Audubon personnel are present on the platform from sunrise through midmorning in September and October to answer questions and help with identification.
Although fairly quiet at this time of the year, boisterous species such as Gray Catbird, Brown Thrasher, and Carolina Wren are present to break the silence.
Warbler fans flock to Higbee Beach to search the hedgerows as the sun warms the insects into motion each morning. Some of our flashiest spring visitors are at their colorful best, including Scarlet Tanager, American Redstart, Black-throated Blue and Northern Parula Warblers.
Spring and summer breeding species include Blue Grosbeak, Indigo Bunting, Yellow-breasted Chat, and Prairie Warbler. There are many opportunities to get close-up views of
dragonflies and butterflies. Higbee Beach also offers outstanding habitat for biting flies and ticks, so use precautions.
Higbee Beach is a prime location for fall migrants including birds, butterflies, dragonflies and occasionally bats, especially in the days immediately following a cold front with northwest winds. Although the parking lots fill up early with eager birders, a late afternoon visit is just as enjoyable.
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