Illustration
State guide
When to catch New Jerseythrough the year
We follow 2 places in New Jersey for wildlife by season and winter wildlife: winter at Forsythe Refuge, spring at Forsythe Refuge and summer at Cape May Refuge. Each timing below is the place's own source, in its words; none is a forecast.
When are you going?
Fall in New Jersey
Good in fall
- Cape May RefugeMonarch butterflies migrate through in fall, September to November
- Cape May RefugeTwo Mile Beach beachfront open for wildlife watching, October 1 to March 31
- Cape May RefugeTwo Mile Beach visitor station open weekends, May to October
- Forsythe RefugeDucks and geese start heading south to spend the winter here
- Forsythe RefugeMonarch butterflies migrate through in fall, September to November
- Forsythe RefugeCedar Bonnet Island Trail at its best, March to October
Open places and seasons from each place's sources; no peak claimed.
Winter in New Jersey
Good in winter
- Cape May RefugeTwo Mile Beach beachfront open for wildlife watching, October 1 to March 31
- Forsythe RefugeAmerican black ducks winter here in the hundreds, often thousands
- Forsythe RefugeAtlantic brant winter here in the hundreds, often thousands
- Forsythe RefugeDiving waterfowl active in the back bays
- Forsythe RefugeHolgate beach and Clamming Trail open, September 1 to March 31
Open places and seasons from each place's sources; no peak claimed.
Spring in New Jersey
- PHASE · WILDLIFE BY SEASONIn spring (March, April, and May), then 3 moreForsythe Refuge · New Jersey
Good in spring
- Cape May RefugeOspreys return to their nests in spring, March to May
- Cape May RefugeTwo Mile Beach beachfront open for wildlife watching, October 1 to March 31
- Cape May RefugeTwo Mile Beach visitor station open weekends, May to October
- Forsythe RefugeOspreys return from the south
- Forsythe RefugePurple martins return to their colony, spring (March to May)
- Forsythe RefugeDiamondback terrapins come ashore to lay eggs, spring (March to May)
Open places and seasons from each place's sources; no peak claimed.
Summer in New Jersey
Good in summer
- Cape May RefugeBirds raise and fledge their young, June to August
- Cape May RefugeSouthbound shorebird migration begins in July
- Cape May RefugeTree swallows gather before migrating, August
- Cape May RefugeTwo Mile Beach visitor station open weekends, May to October
- Forsythe RefugeBirds raise and fledge their young, June to August
- Forsythe RefugeSouthbound shorebird migration begins in July
Open places and seasons from each place's sources; no peak claimed.
Places in New Jersey
Pin color: each place's season now or next
- Spring
- Summer
Places on this map, as a list
Planning a New Jersey trip
Towns to stay in
Sources: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service · checked Sep 30 · How we know