Experience the ultimate spring bird migration at America’s quintessential beach town. Historic Cape May in May is considered one of the top birding destinations in North America to witness spring migration, especially for songbirds and shorebirds. Timed for peak diversity and quantity, we visit famous New Jersey birding locations and little-known local patches up and down the coast, including the Cape May Bird Observatory’s nature center and hawk watch platforms, Delaware Bay beaches, and fresh and salt-water wetlands. Tour the world’s largest contiguous salt marsh by boat, explore Higbee Beach WMA’s forests and fields, bird the Edwin B. Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge, and participate in the Cape May Spring Birding Festival.

Cape May itself is a national historic site and offers incredible examples of Victorian architecture and charm, as well as some of the best seafood on the east coast. Our lodgings for the week are at a classic beachside hotel in historic Cape May. Each morning begins with optional sunrise beach walks in search of shorebirds and beautiful Black Skimmers. Daily trips range from exploring the many examples of tidal salt marshes by boat and van, to visiting one of the most successful beach and dune restorations in the United States.

It’s Cape May’s unique location, situated on a south facing peninsula where the Atlantic seaboard meets the Delaware Bay, that makes it a geographic migrant trap. Birds, both land and sea flyers, sometimes by the thousands, follow the coastline north and once they cross Delaware Bay find themselves in the forests, fields, salt marshes, and wetlands of Cape May; the perfect spot to stop and fuel up before heading to their breeding grounds. Far from the metro areas of northern New Jersey, the Cape May peninsula is home to forests, farmland, wetland meadows, and salt marshes. We watch migrating eastern warblers and experience the larger songbird migration, which peaks while we visit. Famous for its hawk migration too, we spend time at the Cape May Point hawk watch, nearby boardwalk trails, and freshwater ponds. Large numbers of shorebirds and seabirds are also in migration and they use the vast saltmarsh flats to feed on horseshoe crab eggs and invertebrates to refuel and rest. The Cape May Spring Birding Festival begins while we’re here—we register you so we can participate in a bird walk with a world renowned leader/author or an evening presentation.

Please keep in mind that weather, winds, and tides play an important role in the migration along the coast and while we visit all the great birding sites, we may rearrange activities accordingly.

Broad-winged Hawk, Cape May, Fall Migration Tour, Birding Migration Tour, Naturalist Journeys Laughing Gull, Cape May Spring Migration, Spring Migration Birding and Nature Tour from Naturalist Journeys, Cape May New Jersey Birding Cape May Spring Migration, Spring Migration Birding and Nature Tour from Naturalist Journeys, Cape May New Jersey Birding Cape May Spring Migration, Spring Migration Birding and Nature Tour from Naturalist Journeys, Cape May New Jersey Birding
  • "Fantastic! It was great to be by the ocean, to stay in the same lodging for 6(!) days, to have wonderful guides, to see so many birds." — Carol Cook, 2023 Traveler
  • "Cape May is spic and span with tidy colorful houses and meticulously groomed gardens of flowers and flowering shrubs...All the field trips were productive birding spots. Rick and Greg were outstanding in their collective knowledge of Eastern birds, migratory species and general natural history of the place. " — Kathleen Pasierb, 2023 Traveler
  • "Really great exposure to biologists of different preserves and programs. And the horseshoe crab “flipping” was a unique treat." — Caryn Throop, 2023 Traveler
  • “Carefully planned and organized…the combination of a beach location in tandem with the sighting of many species of shore birds was excellent…several new species for me!” — Robert Davis, 2023 Traveler
  • “Thousands of birds and species we don't see in the Pacific NW. Also, great guides!” — 2023 Traveler
  • “A wonderful experience of all birding all the time. Highlights included the number of raptors, especially sharp-shinned hawks and bald eagles and tree swallows congregating in the many thousands in the early morning…we saw a lot!” — Ross Millikan, 2023 Traveler
  • “Absolutely wonderful. The guides were great, we saw over 130 species including 20 that were life birds for me, and everything was smooth and well organized. And some great meals, too!” — 2023 Traveler

Tour Highlights

  • Enjoy a one-stop, unpack, and relax tour at a beachside hotel
  • Watch for migrating raptors like Cooper’s and Sharp-shinned Hawks, Northern Harrier, Bald Eagle, American Kestrel, Peregrine Falcon, and Merlin
  • Spend an afternoon at The Nature Conservancy’s Cape May Migratory Bird Refuge, one of the most successful beach habitat restorations on the Atlantic seaboard
  • Look for Common, Forster’s, Royal, and Caspian Terns and multiple shorebird and heron species at Nummy Island and Stone Harbor Point
  • Climb aboard for a salt marsh pontoon boat cruise as we search for migrating ducks, shorebirds, saltmarsh sparrows, herons, and Diamondback Terrapin, America’s only saltwater marsh turtle
  • Search for colorful spring plumage warblers and other Neotropical songbirds as they cross Delaware Bay and arrive in Cape May to refuel and rest
  • Visit Delaware Bay Shore beaches where Red Knot, Semipalmated Sandpiper, and other shorebirds and gulls feast on horseshoe crab eggs
  • Learn about ongoing shorebird conservation efforts in NJ from a Conserve Wildlife Foundation of NJ field biologist
Osprey, Cape May, Fall Migration Tour, Birding Migration Tour, Naturalist Journeys Clapper Rail, Cape May, Fall Migration Tour, Birding Migration Tour, Naturalist Journeys Red-throated Loon, Cape May, Fall Migration Tour, Birding Migration Tour, Naturalist Journeys Double-crested Cormorant, Cape May, Fall Migration Tour, Birding Migration Tour, Naturalist Journeys

Trip Itinerary

Itineraries are guidelines; variations in itinerary may occur to account for weather, road conditions, closures, etc. and to maximize your experience.

Tues., May 14: Arrivals


Please plan to arrive today at the Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) where we assemble as a group at 2:00 PM at the United Airlines baggage claim area. Your guides are wearing binoculars and meet you there. Then, we load up and travel about 2.5 hours, that may include a quick snack stop, to our lodgings in Cape May, New Jersey. If time permits we visit the Cape May Point State Park to see what’s around and then take a bit of time to freshen up before dinner and get to know our fellow traveling companions.
Accommodations at the Sea Crest Inn (D)

Wed., May 15 : Cape May Point State Park | South Cape May Meadows Preserve


Today we get to know Cape May. We stay close to this pretty beach town and familiarize ourselves with the island and the local spots that we visit throughout the week. We start at the Cape May Bird Observatory headquarters and gift shop to orient ourselves, get the local birding news, and pick up any birding necessities. Then we’re off to the Cape May Point State Park with its hawk watch platform and trails, nature center, and light house. There, we spend the rest of the morning birding and exploring the state park. Walking the nearby beach can produce sightings of Parasitic Jaeger, all three scoters, and many species of gulls and terns as well as nesting American Oystercatcher and the endangered Piping Plover. Walks around the park can push up nearly any migrating eastern passerine this time of year and multiple duck species as well. Lunch is at one of our favorite cafes.

This afternoon we explore the South Cape May Meadows Preserve. Owned and managed by The Nature Conservancy, this important coastal birding area is one of the most successful habitat restorations on the Atlantic seaboard. Almost anything can turn up in spring migration at the Meadows including Merlin and Peregrine as they work the meadows to catch that last dragonfly or shorebird snack before settling in for the evening. Multiple shorebirds, herons, egrets, rails, and American and Least Bitterns all can be found here in spring. The beach areas can offer a good selection of shorebirds, some like Piping Plover nesting on the protected beaches. We the dine at a local restaurant where we also get a presentation on shorebird conservation by a Conserve Wildlife Foundation of NJ field biologist.
Accommodations at the Sea Crest Inn (B,L,D)

Thurs., May 16 : Stone Harbor Point | Nummy Island | Salt Marsh Boat Tour


After breakfast we head to Stone Harbor Point where many of the shorebirds, herons, and waterfowl in the area can be found. Common, Forster’s, Caspian, and Royal Terns are all possible. Monarch butterflies are common in the brush, as are migrant songbirds. We’re then off to further explore the salt marshes as we drive the intracoastal areas with stops at Nummy Island, famous for nesting Black-crowned Night-Heron and search for the ever-present Clapper Rail. Here we also stop at a local patch where Nelson’s, Saltmarsh, and Seaside Sparrows may frequent. Tides may require that we rearrange the activities today.

After a local lunch we head to Miss Chris Marina where we board the Osprey, a large pontoon tour boat, to explore the salt marshes along New Jersey’s Intracoastal Waterway. Here we have a chance to see many shorebirds and migrating waterfowl that utilize the sea grass islands and constantly changing tidal creek mudflats of the saltmarsh. We watch for the elusive Diamondback Terrapin, North America’s only saltwater marsh turtle. American Bottlenose Dolphin are also a possibility. We end today at Sunset Beach in Cape May Point to watch for terns, various gull species, cormorants, and scoters in Delaware Bay and of course enjoy a fabulous sunset. We then return to our hotel to freshen up before dinner at a local restaurant.
Accommodations at the Sea Crest Inn (B,L,D)

Fri., May 17 : Beach Plum Farm | Higbee Beach | Shorebird Viewing


We start the day with an outdoor breakfast (weather permitting, of course) at Beach Plum Farm and walk the property’s trails and fields searching for migrating songbirds and raptors. We then visit Higbee Beach WMA with its many fields and deciduous forests just adjacent to Delaware Bay, often the first stop for exhausted and hungry migrating songbirds and raptors.

After lunch, we then head northwest towards Cooks Beach and Norbury’s Landing in search of large flocks of migrating shorebirds like Red Knot, Semipalmated Sandpiper, and Ruddy Turnstone feasting on recently laid horseshoe crab eggs. These birds need to double their body weight in just a few days to successfully continue their migration north to reach their breeding grounds in peak condition. Their thousands of mile migration north is intricately timed with the horseshoe crab egg-laying. We may get back to Cape May in time for an evening festival workshop followed by dinner at a local restaurant.
Accommodations at the Sea Crest Inn (B,L,D)

Sat., May 18 : Edwin B. Forsythe NWR | Belleplain State Forest


We bird our way through the vast salt marsh areas north of Cape May today as we make our way up the coast to Edwin B. Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge (aka Brigantine), a 43,000-acre natural area with both fresh and saltwater marshes. Here we have great opportunities to see Clapper Rail, bitterns, migrating shorebirds, and waterfowl, as well as Northern Harrier and Bald Eagle hunting over the marshes. All the East Coast waterfowl and wading birds can be found here, too, and Brant should still be possible. Watch as Peregrine Falcon push around shorebirds that take flight in flashing waves of motion. Osprey are also common and we may even tire of seeing them! These thousands of acres of fresh and saltmarshes host almost every East Coast water bird.

After a picnic lunch and on the way south back to Cape May we stop at Belleplain State Forest located in the Pinelands National Reserve. Belleplain contains the greatest variety of habitats anywhere in New Jersey, including saltwater marsh, Atlantic white cedar swamp, and oak-hickory forest. Some spring Belleplain specialties are nesting Yellow-throated, Hooded, and Prothonotary Warblers as well as Summer Tanager and Acadian Flycatcher. We return in time to freshen up and then enjoy a seafood dinner at a local restaurant.
Accommodations at the Sea Crest Inn (B,L,D)

Sun., May 19 : Cape May Spring Festival | Cape May Local Birding


This morning after breakfast we join a NJ Audubon Spring Festival bird walk led by a local Cape May expert birder/author.

After lunch, the rest of the day is open to perhaps revisit some of our premier birding spots such as the Cape May Point State Park or the TNC South Cape May Meadows Preserve, based on what’s been observed recently on rare bird alerts or as weather conditions dictate. Guests can also have some free time if they desire in the afternoon to enjoy parts of historic Cape May on your own or continue with more local birding. Our farewell dinner tonight is at another wonderful Cape May restaurant where we finish our bird lists and reflect on the great week of birding we’ve experienced.
Accommodations at the Sea Crest Inn (B,L,D)

Mon.: Departures


After an early breakfast, we depart for the Philadelphia airport where we should arrive by 11:00 AM. Please plan flights out after 1:00 PM (B)

  • Tree Swallows, Cape May, Cape May Migration, Fall Migration, Fall Migration Tour, Cape May Birding Tour, Naturalist Journeys

    Tree Swallows by Hugh Simmons

  • Cape May Spring Migration, Spring Migration Birding and Nature Tour from Naturalist Journeys, Cape May New Jersey Birding

    Spotted Sandpiper, Hugh Simmons

  • Cape May Spring Migration, Spring Migration Birding and Nature Tour from Naturalist Journeys, Cape May New Jersey Birding

    Seaside Sparrow, Hugh Simmons

  • Cape May Spring Migration, Spring Migration Birding and Nature Tour from Naturalist Journeys, Cape May New Jersey Birding

    Purple Martin, Hugh Simmons

  • Cape May Spring Migration, Spring Migration Birding and Nature Tour from Naturalist Journeys, Cape May New Jersey Birding

    Group on platform, Hugh Simmons

  • Cape May Spring Migration, Spring Migration Birding and Nature Tour from Naturalist Journeys, Cape May New Jersey Birding

    Group photo by Hugh Simmons

  • Cape May Spring Migration, Spring Migration Birding and Nature Tour from Naturalist Journeys, Cape May New Jersey Birding

    Indigo Bunting, Hugh Simmons

  • Cape May Spring Migration, Spring Migration Birding and Nature Tour from Naturalist Journeys, Cape May New Jersey Birding

    Yellow Warbler, Hugh Simmons

  • Cape May Spring Migration, Spring Migration Birding and Nature Tour from Naturalist Journeys, Cape May New Jersey Birding

    Whimbrel, Hugh Simmons

  • Cape May Spring Migration, Spring Migration Birding and Nature Tour from Naturalist Journeys, Cape May New Jersey Birding

    Beach Group, Hugh Simmons

  • Cape May Spring Migration, Spring Migration Birding and Nature Tour from Naturalist Journeys, Cape May New Jersey Birding

    Beach birding near the lighthouse, Hugh Simmons

  • Cape May Spring Migration, Spring Migration Birding and Nature Tour from Naturalist Journeys, Cape May New Jersey Birding

    Red Knots, Hugh Simmons

  • Cape May Spring Migration, Spring Migration Birding and Nature Tour from Naturalist Journeys, Cape May New Jersey Birding

    Red Knots, Hugh Simmons

  • Cape May Spring Migration, Spring Migration Birding and Nature Tour from Naturalist Journeys, Cape May New Jersey Birding

    Banded Red Knot, Hugh Simmons

  • Cape May Spring Migration, Spring Migration Birding and Nature Tour from Naturalist Journeys, Cape May New Jersey Birding

    Red Knots with gulls, Hugh Simmons

  • Cape May Spring Migration, Spring Migration Birding and Nature Tour from Naturalist Journeys, Cape May New Jersey Birding

    Indigo Bunting, Hugh Simmons

  • Cape May Spring Migration, Spring Migration Birding and Nature Tour from Naturalist Journeys, Cape May New Jersey Birding

    Shorebird Sunset, Hugh Simmons

  • Cape May Spring Migration, Spring Migration Birding and Nature Tour from Naturalist Journeys, Cape May New Jersey Birding

    Laughing Gull, Hugh Simmons

  • Cape May Spring Migration, Spring Migration Birding and Nature Tour from Naturalist Journeys, Cape May New Jersey Birding

    Horseshoe Crabs in Deleware Bay, Hugh Simmons

  • Cape May Spring Migration, Spring Migration Birding and Nature Tour from Naturalist Journeys, Cape May New Jersey Birding

    Blue Grosbeak, Hugh Simmons

Cost of the Journey

The cost of this journey is $3,190 DBL / $3,870 SGL, from Philadelphia. Cost is based on double occupancy and includes all accommodations, meals specified in the itinerary, group airport transfers, professional guide services, local park and other area entrance fees, miscellaneous program expenses, and festival registration fee. Cost does not include transportation to or from your home to Philadelphia or items of a personal nature such as laundry, telephone charges, porterage, maid gratuities, or beverages from the bar.

Travel Details

Please plan to make air travel plans only after the minimum group size has been met. We will send you a confirmation email as soon as the trip has been confirmed.

Arrival and Departure Airport: Philadelphia International Airport (PHL)


Arrival Details: Plan to arrive May 14, 2024, no later than 2:00 PM. If you plan to drive to Cape May, please meet the group at the Sea Crest Inn around 3:00 PM. Parking is available.


Departure Details: Plan flights to depart May 20, 2024 after 1:00 PM.


Travel Tip: If you are arriving early or staying on after the trip in Philadelphia, there are plenty of hotels near the airport. The Philadelphia Airport Marriott is connected to Terminal B of the airport and very convenient. Another nearby option is the Hampton Inn Philadelphia Airport. If you’re looking to explore around Philadelphia, there is no shortage of things to do! The Philadelphia Museum of Art, the Museum of the American Revolution, the Weitzman National Museum of American Jewish History, and the African American Museum are just a few of the great museums in the city. No trip to Philadelphia is complete without a visit to Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell, which is conveniently located near several museums and the National Constitution Center. Philadelphia is easy to get around via taxi, Uber, or SEPTA, which is the public transportation system offering buses, trains, trolleys, and subways.

Items of Note

This is a relaxed journey with only a few early mornings. Most locations are just minutes from our hotel and while we spend full days in the field, there are ample opportunities for breaks or an afternoon off on your own. Most birding locations are short walks on flat ground, easy on the exertion level.

Browse below for trip reports and species lists from past versions of this and other tours from this destination.

New Jersey

Cape May

  • Rick Weiman

    Rick lives in Oakland, NJ with his wife Patricia and two teenage children, Jack and Annabel. Rick has led birding trips for a number of years as a volunteer associate naturalist for NJ Audubon and a preserve monitor for The Nature Conservancy. He just completed his 30th world series of birding event, raising dollars for endangered species recovery efforts. His passion for conservation started during his college years at Rutgers where he majored in Biology and he has been a trustee of the Conserve Wildlife Foundation of NJ since 2000. More recently his volunteer and fundraising efforts for The Raptor Trust, the largest wild bird rehabilitation center on the east coast, resulted in his recent addition to their board of trustees in 2018. In his spare time besides birding, Rick enjoys playing tennis, street hockey, and is also a youth hockey coach.

    Other trips with Rick Weiman

  • Pat Lueders

    Pat Lueders has been leading tours for Naturalist Journeys since 2014 after volunteering as the Field Trip leader and coordinator for St. Louis Audubon for 10 years. She has led tours regularly in the U.S. including Utah, Arizona, Texas, Ohio, Georgia, South Carolina, and New Jersey. Internationally, she has led groups to Central America (Costa Rica, Panama, Belize, Guatemala), South America (Galapagos, Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana, Trinidad & Tobago), and Africa (Kenya & Uganda). For the fall 2023 & winter 2024, she’s excited to return to Trinidad and add New Zealand, Jamaica, and Portugal to her itineraries.
    When home in St. Louis, she’s been the coordinator of the Great Rivers Trumpeter Swan Watch for 12 years, and she conducts Breeding Bird Surveys for the Missouri Department of Conservation and the U.S. Department of Natural Resources.

    Other trips with Pat Lueders

Map for Cape May: Spring Migration

Essential Information +

This information is important for being prepared for your journey; we want you to have Read more

This information is important for being prepared for your journey; we want you to have the best experience possible. If you only read one section, this one is key!

Ahead of Your Tour

  • Please talk with your doctor about general health needs. It is a good idea to consult with your doctor about general vaccinations recommended for travel.
  • Please plan to make air travel plans only after the minimum group size has been met. We will send you a confirmation email as soon as the trip has been confirmed. After you make travel reservations, please send a copy of your travel itinerary to the Naturalist Journeys office at clientservices@naturalistjourneys.com.
  • Travel insurance in case of serious medical emergency is recommended. Full health coverage and repatriation is available through Allianz Travel Insurance.
  • Soft sided luggage/duffel bags are easiest for packing the vans. Remember to pack essential medications in your carry-on luggage, as well as one day of clothing and optics in case of luggage delay.

Health Information

We will share a copy of your health and emergency contact information with your guide. This information will be kept confidential but is very important in case of a medical emergency. In addition to bringing any prescription medications with you, we recommend that you have a copy of the prescriptions in case of loss.

Pace of the Tour & What to Expect

You will receive a Schedule-at-a-Glance and list of hotels (our eContact List) a few weeks before your departure. This will serve as an outline for each day and alert you to any recent changes made in the schedule or to our hotels, if needed.

Our journeys are set up to follow the rhythm of nature. Our focus is on birding and nature; we offer full, well-planned field days and often get up early for that magical time around dawn. We generally follow the published itinerary, but we stay flexible to the weather, wildlife opportunities and the interests of the group. Your guide will keep you apprised of the next day’s schedule at each evening meal, noting what to bring and what to prepare for. Questions and/or concerns are welcome.

The pace of our Naturalist Journeys tours is moderate; to fully participate you should be able to get in and out of vehicles several times a day, and walk 1-3 miles over uneven terrain. It is important to participate with a flexible attitude as adjustments may be made in our schedule to make the most of our time in the field or for other purposes at your guide's discretion. We are not a “listing” bird company that drills down on target species, but at times we do wait for those special species unique to the places we visit. During the day, we take time to stop for photos and for educational opportunities to learn about conservation projects, landscapes, and geology. We appreciate other taxa as well as birds, with mammals often the biggest draw but plants and butterflies are also very popular. Our clients often lend their own expertise to the mix.  

We like to make meals a fun and memorable part of the experience, too. Breakfasts are often at hotels, and we carry snacks, fruit, and water in the vans each day. Lunches are a mix of picnics in the field (weather dependent) and a chance to dine with locals at small cafes and restaurants. For dinner, we pride ourselves in our homework to keep up with the best choices for dining, choosing restaurants with atmosphere that specialize in local foods. On occasion we keep dinner simple to go back out in the field for sunset wildlife viewing or night walks. In some remote locations, our choices are limited. If you are tired, room service for dinner may be an option you can choose.

Food & Drink

We carry water and juices/cold drinks in the cooler each day, and sodas if people like them. Please also plan on bringing and filling your water bottle for hiking each day. We try to use as few plastics as possible!

Packing, Clothing & Laundry

Soft sided luggage/duffel bags are easiest for packing the vans. Please pack essential medications in your carry-on luggage, as well as one day of clothing and optics in case of luggage delay.

Dress is informal and is casual even at restaurants. Layering is a great way to stay comfortable. Protective clothing is essential, whether it be from sun, rain, cold, insects, or vegetation. You need closed toe shoes, and wear comfortable walking shoes with good tread. Hiking boots with good support for hiking and on rocky terrain can work well.

Spending Money

Many people ask how much to plan to bring as spending money. Part of that depends on how much you want to shop. Most shops will take VISA and MasterCard or American Express. Typical items people purchase include local souvenirs and T-shirts, caps, and natural history books.  You may want to bring cash for drinks with dinner (if available) or smaller local purchases.

Gratuities

Expect the normal tipping protocol to apply for hotel maids and bar service. If at the end of the tour, you would like to show your appreciation to your guides, tipping is entirely appropriate but at your discretion. We hope that you will be pleased with all professional services. Gratuities for group meals are included. For your birding tour guide, we suggest $10-$15 per day per guest. Note that if there is more than one guide, this amount can be split among them.

Cell Phones & Internet Service

Wi-Fi and cell phone service are available in most US destinations, although there are some exceptions in remote locations. Wi-Fi is generally provided in all hotels, lodges, and restaurants you visit, at least in public areas. Please refrain from taking or making cell phone calls in the vehicles when traveling with other passengers unless it appears to be an emergency as this disrupts other guests – please plan cell phone calls on your own time.

Smoking

Smoking is not permitted in any vehicle or in any situation where the group is participating in an activity together, such as a vehicle excursion or a guided walk. Please respect all designated smoking areas at hotels and restaurants.

Transportation

For this tour, your guides will drive travelers in either full-size or mini-vans or a combination of those two. We ask all attendees to please rotate your seating, so you ride with different drivers and alternate between front and back seats.

Photo Release & Sharing

We take many group photos and will share photos with the group. And after your tour, we will organize a chance to share photos via Dropbox or Google Photos. Please note that this is our policy and if you prefer to be excluded, we need to know ahead of your tour.

By registering for this tour, you agree to grant to Naturalist Journeys and its authorized representatives permission to record photos and/or video of your participation in the tour. You further agree that any or all of the material photographed may be used, in any form, as part of any future publications, brochures, or other printed materials used to promote Naturalist Journeys, and further that such use shall be without payment of fees, royalties, special credit or other compensation.

Questions?

Please contact Naturalist Journeys by email at clientservices@naturalistjourneys.com or telephone our office: (520) 558-1146 or toll free: (866) 900-1146 if you have any questions. Many thanks for traveling with us and we hope you enjoy your journey.

 

Packing List +

Please pack light! Soft luggage is much easier for us to pack than a more rigid Read more

Please pack light!

Soft luggage is much easier for us to pack than a more rigid hard sided piece, so if you have the choice, please use your soft luggage. Be sure to have your name and address on the inside of the bag, as well as on the luggage tag on the handle. It is our hope that you can pack in one checked suitcase that does not exceed 45 pounds. Be sure to pack your personal medication, airline tickets, passport, binoculars, camera, and other essential items in your carry-on bag. You will want a day pack for field trips, so this is an ideal carry-on. Please reconfirm your airline’s baggage weight and size restrictions about a week or so before departure.

Dress is very informal. We want you to be comfortable and the key to that is layering. Also, choose clothing you don’t mind getting dirty – and things that are comfortable and easy. Lightweight long sleeve shirts and long pants make ideal field clothing, as they are more protective from sun, insects and vegetation. Supportive hiking boots will be nice for our walks.

Clothing & Gear

  • Lightweight long pants, 2-3 pair
  • Shorts (optional)
  • Lightweight long-sleeved shirts, 2-3 (Loose fitting keeps you cool)
  • T-shirts, short-sleeved shirts or equivalent, 3-4 (remember you may buy some along the way!)
  • Casual clothing for evenings
  • Personal underclothing and pajamas
  • Socks – lightweight and easy to wash and dry
  • Comfortable walking shoes, such as tennis shoes
  • Lightweight hiking boots (Please note that trails could be on uneven terrain and may be muddy – bring shoes with good support and firm grip tread)
  • Comfortable sandals or light shoes for evenings, travel days
  • Fleece jacket or sweater
  • Raincoat or poncho
  • Bathing suit (optional)
  • Hat with broad brim
  • Gloves, scarf, and a warm cap for early mornings/windy days
  • Bandana (optional)

Equipment & Miscellaneous

  • E-ticket verification
  • Photo Identification
  • Passport with copy kept elsewhere (for international travelers)
  • Walking stick (optional)
  • Umbrella – compact & not brightly colored (optional useful for protection from rain if not windy)
  • Small daypack to carry your field gear
  • Small flashlight or headlamp with fresh batteries
  • Alarm clock, or use your cell phone
  • Sunscreen/lip balm
  • Sunglasses with neck strap
  • Insect repellent
  • Toiletry articles
  • Binoculars (a shower cap is great to cover these when raining)
  • Spotting scope and tripod (optional, guide will have one)
  • Camera and extra batteries/battery charger, memory cards, lens cleaning supplies and your instruction manual (optional)
  • Water bottle (or plan to refill one bought on location)
  • Notebook or journal and pen (optional)
  • Field guides (optional)
  • Laundry soap if you plan to do hand washing
  • Earplugs (optional)
  • Rechargeable power bank (optional)

 

WE DO NOT RECOMMEND TRAVELING WITH PRECIOUS OR VALUABLE JEWELRY – don’t tempt anyone and don’t bring things you’d regret losing, and your mind will be at ease!

Medical & First Aid Items

  • Personal medication (and copy of vital prescriptions, including glasses – or have at easy reference to call or fax from home) and any medical alerts
  • Motion sickness preventatives if likely to be needed on boat, bus, van, drives, etc.
  • Personal first aid kit and medications for general ailments and stomach ailments (Imodium or Lomotil, antihistamine cream or tablets, eye drops, etc.)
  • Foot powder, lotions, general “comfort” items
  • Band-Aids, moleskin to protect against blisters
  • Small bottle of antibacterial hand sanitizer
  • Health insurance information
  • Extra pair of eyeglasses or contacts

 

Suggested Reading List +

  There are many titles of interest for Cape May; the following are a few that Read more

 

There are many titles of interest for Cape May; the following are a few that we have enjoyed that can get you started.

General Reading

The Birder’s Handbook: A Field Guide to the Natural History of North American Birds

The Complete Birder, A Guide to Better Birding

Lives of North American Birds

Sibley Guide to Bird Life and Behavior

Field Guides

Sibley Birds East

Field Guide to the Birds of North America

Cape May Birds: A Folding Pocket Guide to Familiar Species

Birds and Birding at Cape May: What to See and When and Where to Go

History & Culture

Season at the Point: The Birds and Birders of Cape May: What to See When and Where to Go

The First Resort: Fun, Sun, Fire and War in Cape May, America’s Original Seaside Town

Birding Apps

Merlin App. A phone-based birding app from Cornell University Laboratory of Ornithology. Apple iPhone and Android phones (Free) https://merlin.allaboutbirds.org/

eBird Mobile (Citizen science platform to record and share sightings) Apple iPhone and Android phones (Free)

iNaturalist

Your guide will also have a selection of reference books and materials for participants to share. As an Amazon Associate, Naturalist Journeys earns from qualifying purchases, and may get commissions for purchases made through links on this page at no added cost to you.

 

Useful Links +

Learn more about your destination at these external websites, carefully researched for you. Read more

General

Philadelphia

Cape May, New Jersey

Cape May Spring Festival

Beach Plum Farm

Nature, Wildlife & Biology

New Jersey Audubon

Cape May Birding

Cape May Bird Observatory Blog “View from the Cape” (commentary on recent sightings and birding trips)

Birding Delaware

Birding Belleplain State Forest - New Jersey Audubon

Migration Stations:

Cape May State Park Hawk Watch

Morning Flight Songbird Count

Conservation, Parks & Reserves

Cape May Bird Observatory

Cape May Point State Park

The Nature Conservancy’s Cape May Bird Refuge “The Meadows”

Stone Harbor Point

Nummy Island

Higbee Beach

Edwin B. Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge “Brigantine”

Belleplain State Forest

Geology & Geography

Geology of Coastal New Jersey

Geography of Cape May, NJ

History & Culture

History of Cape May

Culture of Cape May

Helpful Travel Websites

Philadelphia International Airport (PHL)

Homeland Security Real ID Act

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Photo credits: Banners: Whimbrel, Hugh Simmons; Group Birding, Hugh Simmons; Red Knot, Hugh Simmons; Indigo Bunting, Hugh Simmons; Yellow Warbler, Hugh Simmons; Spotted Sandpiper by Hugh Simmons. Overview Gallery Top Row: Broad-winged Hawk, Carlos Sanchez; Laughing Gull, Hugh Simmons; Cape May Warbler, Doug Greenberg; Yellow-crowned Night Heron by Hugh Simmons; Second Row: Osprey, Red-throated Loon, Double-crested Cormorant, Greg Smith; Clapper Rail, Carlos Sanchez Group Photos in Day to Day itinerary by Hugh Simmons Photography.

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