Northen NJ Bird Watching Refuges and Bird Watching Activity Centers
Essex County Environmental Center
621 B Eagle Rock Avenue
Roseland, NJ
973-228-8776
tcasella@parks.essexcountynj.org
Provides bird and nature programs for all ages and groups including birding field trips, Saturday family programs, and a summer nature day camp.
Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge
32 Pleasant Plains Rd
Harding Township, NJ.
973-425-9510
info@friendsofgreatswamp.org
Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge is made up of over 7,500 acres of different habitats, resting grounds, and feeding areas for approximately 245 species of birds. The Friends Blind at the Wild Life Observation Center is the best spot to see waterfowl and birds.
The Helen C. Fenske Visitor Center is a good place to stop by to enjoy and learn about the variety of habitats and wildlife that can be seen at the Great Swamp. The center is open on Thursday and Friday from noon to 4 p.m. and on Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Wallkill River National Wildlife Refuge
1547 County Route 565
Vernon, NJ
(973) 702-7266
Situated in the midst of the Appalachian Valley and the Highland Ridge System, the Wallkill River valley is a channel for bird and waterfowl journeying between eastern Canada and the Atlantic coast, and the Delaware and Hudson rivers. The Wallkill River refuge is one of the few waterfowl habitat of considerable importance that remain northwestern NJ. More than 225 species of birds and waterfowl can be found on the Walkill River Refuge.
Hiking access through the wetlands is restricted except for canoeing. The journey by canoe is relatively easy with calm waters except for a few spots where you may have to carry your canoe over a shallow spot.
Central NJ Refuges and Bird Watching Activity Centers
Sandy Hook Bird Observatory
20 Hartshorne Drive
Highlands, NJ
(732) 872-2500
shbo@njaudubon.org
This is a year-around birding observatory. Sandy Hook is a very significant bird migration path located on the southern coast of Raritan Bay and at the northern tip the Jersey Shore coast and. Over 350 bird species and over 50 species of butterflies can be seen at this location.
They offer a variety of programs for all ages and levels of expertise including environmental education programs, guided field trips on birding and other natural history topics, workshops for beginning birders, seasonal birding and natural history workshops, annual weekend events.
Southern NJ Refuges and Bird Watching Activity Centers
Cape May National Wildlife Refuge
24 Kimbles Beach Road
Cape May Court House, NJ
(609) 463-0994
capemay@fws.gov
Highly regarded as one of the ten top birding spots in North America, the refuge encompasses 11,500 acres of habitats such as grasslands, salt marshes, bogs, maritime forests, and beach front. The refuge is home to a variety of wildlife including State and Federally threatened and endangered species. Foot trails throughout the Refuge offers excellent opportunities for bird watching, photography and environmental education. As protection for the threatened piping plover, the Two Mile Beach Unit is closed to the public from April 1- September 30. The Two Mile Beach Unit is open between October 1 and March 31 with wildlife observation, photography, and nature study permitted on the beach portion. The refuges headquarters is open weekdays from 8 am – 4:30 pm. The Refuge is open daily from dawn to dusk. [ Read More ]
The Cape May Bird Observatory
The Northwood Center
701 East Lake Drive
Cape May Point, NJ
609-884-2736
They are committed to
research, environmental education, bird conservation, and recreational birding activities. They offer seasonal weekly walks. Field trips are great for any skill level from adults to children with an interest in the natural world. Cost is just $10 per person, discounted to $6 per person for Cape May Bird Observatory members. They also offer special programs and boat trips.
Open: Spring thru Fall (March thru October) every day - 9:30 AM to 4:30 PM Winter (November thru February) Wednesday thru Monday - 9:30 AM to 4:30 PM (closed Tuesdays)
Edwin B. Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge
800 Great Creek Rd.
Oceanville, NJ
(609) 652-1665
The refuge consists of more than 47,000 acres of coastal tidal wetland habitats that provide nesting, migrating and wintering habitat for many waterfowl species. The refuge is designated a Wetland of International Importance under The Convention on Wetlands of International Importance. The refuge headquarters building contains information about the refuge and an auditorium featuring exhibits on migration displays, a touch table, and a bird egg display. Headquarters is open weekdays, 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Supawna Meadows National Wildlife Refuge
197 Lighthouse Road
Pennsville, NJ
(609) 463-0994
email:
fw5_rw_smnwr_@fws.gov
The refuge consists of approximately 3,000 acres of mostly tidal marshes providing waterfowl with an important feeding and resting area during the seasonal migrations. This wetlands estuary and shorebird reserve is internationally recognized as a refuge of critical importance. The refuge is open daily from dawn to dusk. On site parking is available.
 Check out New Jersey's Top State and National Parks A visit to New Jersey Parks is a diverse outdoor journey with hundreds of thousands of acres of state and national parks, forests and recreation areas that offer visitors a vast variety of outdoor activities.
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