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New Jersey

Cape May Migratory Bird Refuge
Cape May Migratory Bird Refuge
İHarold E. Malde
Event: Birds Nesting
Where: William D. and Jane C. Blair Jr. Cape May Migratory Bird Refuge
When: June to mid-July
The preserve's beachfront provides nesting habitat for piping plovers and least terns. Observe courting, nesting, rearing young and fledgling.

Open to the public. Facilities available: parking, loop trail, handicapped-accessible observation platform, interpretive signs, guided nature walks.
Bird watching at Cape May Migratory Bird Refuge
Bird watching at Cape May Migratory Bird Refuge
İBrad Markel
Event: Birds Migrating
Where: William D. and Jane C. Blair Jr. Cape May Migratory Bird Refuge
When: August through October; Peak mid-September through October
Each fall thousands of migrating raptors, shorebirds and songbirds, as well as migrating butterflies, pass through the Cape May area on their way to Latin America and the Caribbean. Spectacular bird-watching opportunity.

Open to the public. Facilities available: parking, observation platform (handicapped-accessible), loop trail.
Horeshoe crabs mating
Horeshoe crabs mating
İRobert Noonan
Event: Shorebird Migration - Horseshoe Crab Spawning
Where: Grandy's Beach, Hand's Landing and Sunray Beach preserves
When: Mid-May through early June
Each spring, masses of horseshoe crabs emerge from the Delaware Bay and spawn on Delaware's and New Jersey's sandy beaches. At exactly the same time, millions of migrating shorebirds depart from their winter homes for a 10,000-mile journey north to their arctic breeding grounds. Before completing the journey, they make stop at the beaches along the Delaware Bay, to rest and refuel. One of the prinicpal sources of nourishment is horseshoe crab eggs. The highlight of this event is the full moon at the end of May.

In Delaware, Port Mahon is open to the public, but Milford Neck Preserve and Big Stone Beach are closed to the public. In New Jersey, the beaches will be open to the public during this phenomenon, with special viewing sites available.

For additional information on a particular location, click on the name of the preserve associated with the event or visit the New Jersey site.