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Event: The Little Sit

On May 2 you're invited to witness spring migration at The Little Sit, an accessible birding event at South Cape May Meadows preserve. ASL provided.

A black skimmer in flight above water.
Black Skimmer The black skimmer is a unique seabird known for its distinctive feeding method and striking appearance. © Harry Collins Photography

Please note: The rain date for the event is Sunday, May 3. (Same time and location)

Event Overview

Spring migration in New Jersey is nothing short of magic. Songbirds, shorebirds, waterfowl, raptors and more fill the skies as they funnel north to their breeding grounds. Did you know Cape May is considered one of the best birding destinations to experience spring migration and that The Nature Conservancy’s South Cape May Meadows preserve is in the heart of the action?

Experience the wonders of spring migration by joining The Nature Conservancy (TNC) and Cape May Bird Observatory (CMBO) for The Little Sit, an accessible birding event. A spin on the annual, international birding event The Big Sit, The Little Sit takes that idea and slows it down. During this fun and educational challenge, we’ll see how many birds we can identify from the Boardwalk Trail’s observation area. Directional signs will be provided to guide attendees to the meeting location. Naturalists from TNC and CMBO will be present to assist with bird identification and answer questions about the preserve.

As a part of this event, we will have benches for sitting, binoculars and spotting scopes for viewing, and educational materials to assist with bird identification. This event is free and open to the public. No matter your level of birding experience you are welcome to help us add to our morning species total!

Please note: An ASL interperter will be provided for this event.

A group gathered on a boardwalk.
South Cape May Meadows The Boardwalk Trail's observation platform © Lily Mullock/TNC

Accessibility Details

South Cape May Meadows Preserve Information
Location: South Cape May Meadows, Sunset Blvd, Cape May, NJ.
Directions: https://maps.app.goo.gl/VFXqNr2iiEUg473g8
Parking Information: Three designated accessible parking spaces with aisle access on paved concrete. Additionally, there are 37 standard car spaces on compact gravel.
Restroom: An ADA-compliant portable restroom is situated near the parking area.
Trained service animals are welcome.

Route Information
Surface Type: Firm—compact crushed concrete and recycled plastic boardwalk.
Length: 0.5 miles one way from the preserve entrance to the observation area via the Boardwalk Trail. Directional signs will guide the way.
Width: Average trail width is 6 ft.
Average Grade: 5% or less
Average Cross Slope: 5% or less
Benches: There are 11 benches along this route, including seven benches on the observation area where the event takes place.
Braille: Five interpretive signs feature braille.

For detailed descriptions of this preserve’s accessibility features, please visit the South Cape May Meadows’ Visitor Guide.

Photos from South Cape May Meadows

Tag your preserve visits on Instagram with #SouthCapeMayMeadows to have your photos featured here!

A great blue heron has a fish in its bill.
Swamp rose mallow is blooming in the wetlands.
A boardwalk leads into a forest.
A Halloween pennant dragonfly is perched on a twig.
Purple martin adults are flying above their house.
An aerial view shows nature trails that lead to a beach.
A bench sits up against a split rail fence with forest in the background.
Eastern painted turtles are basking in the sun.
Two least tern chicks on the beach.
A monarch butterfly is sitting on goldenrod.
A great blue heron has a fish in its bill.

Just Caught: Great blue heron with fish. © Bruce Gray/TNC Photo Contest 2019

Swamp rose mallow is blooming in the wetlands.

Swamp Rose Mallow: Every year in July, hundreds of swamp rose mallow flowers bloom throughout the wetlands. © Lily Mullock / TNC

A boardwalk leads into a forest.

Boardwalk Trail Rest Areas: Four pullout areas with benches along its length serve as rest stops. © Damon Noe / TNC

A Halloween pennant dragonfly is perched on a twig.

Halloween Pennant: Halloween pennants can often be seen perched on tips of vegetation near the edges of waterways. © John Winfree / TNC

Purple martin adults are flying above their house.

Purple Martin Houses: Each year, purple martins nest in the houses at our South Cape May Meadows Preserve. © Jennifer Emerling

An aerial view shows nature trails that lead to a beach.

Beach Access: Our trails through the vast wetlands eventually lead to our 1 mile of protected beach. © TNC

A bench sits up against a split rail fence with forest in the background.

Recycled ADA Bench: Thoughtfully placed benches can be found throughout the trails of South Cape May Meadows. In total, this preserve has 12 benches, with more to come. © Lily Mullock / TNC

Eastern painted turtles are basking in the sun.

Eastern Painted Turtles: Eastern painted turtles are most active from April to September. © Shutterstock

Two least tern chicks on the beach.

Least Tern Chicks: These least tern chicks were spotted inside of the nesting bird enclosure on the South Cape May Meadows Preserve protected beach. © Mark S Garland

A monarch butterfly is sitting on goldenrod.

Monarch Butterfly: Monarch migration typically starts in late September and continues into October. © Trisha Seelman / TNC