Forsythe Refugewildlife
At Edwin B. Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge, the timing for wildlife comes in 4 separate phases, each its own display, none of them a peak: Ospreys back on their nest at Osprey Outlook, in spring (March, April, and May); Purple martins return to their colony, in spring (March, April, and May); Birds raise and fledge their young, June, July, and August is the time when our feathered families are raised and fledged; and Monarch butterflies migrate through, in fall (September, October, and November). No official report yet this season.
- March–MayOspreys back on their nest at Osprey Outlookin spring (March, April, and May)
- March–MayPurple martins return to their colonyin spring (March, April, and May)
- June–AugustBirds raise and fledge their youngJune, July, and August is the time when our feathered families are raised and fledged
- September–NovemberMonarch butterflies migrate throughin fall (September, October, and November)
Next 7 days at Forsythe Refuge
- TodayMostly Sunny75° / 61°1% rain
- ThuMostly Sunny78° / 65°–
- FriMostly Sunny81° / 64°17% rain
- SatSlight Chance Rain Showers70° / 61°54% rain
- SunShowers And Thunderstorms Likely67° / 57°55% rain
- MonChance Rain Showers65° / 49°40% rain
Today: sunrise 6:53 a.m., sunset 6:44 p.m., light until 7:10 p.m. · moon waning gibbous, 78% lit (our calculation)
Your guide to the area
Where to watch
- Osprey OutlookOn the refuge boardwalk, with telescopes and an interpretive panel looking out at an osprey nest; an osprey cam shows the nest live on a monitor in the Visitor Information Center
- Purple martin colonyGourds hung on poles between the Visitor Information Center and the headquarters building; the colony is visible from the parking lot and as you enter the Wildlife Drive
Nearby
- Cape May Refuge34 mi2 separate phases, from June, July, and August is the time when our feathered families are raised and fledged
- Fire Island109 mi2 separate phases, from from March to September
- Wertheim Refuge124 mi2 separate phases, from in the spring and summer months (March – September)
- Morton Refuge152 mi3 separate phases, from between mid-March and early April
- Cuyahoga Valley393 mi5 separate phases, from late February or early MarchSatSlight Chance Rain Showers
- Carolina Sandhills Refuge468 mi3 separate phases, from April through OctoberSatSlight Chance Rain Showers then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
The year at Forsythe Refuge
- Cedar Bonnet Island Trail at its best, March to OctoberNowMar–Oct
- Ospreys return from the southMar–May
- Purple martins return to their colony, spring (March to May)Mar–May
- Diamondback terrapins come ashore to lay eggs, spring (March to May)Mar–May
- Holgate Wilderness Area (Long Beach Island unit) closed for nesting birdsApr–Aug
- Birds raise and fledge their young, June to AugustJun–Aug
- Jul: Southbound shorebird migration begins in JulyJul
- Aug: Tree swallows gather before migrating, AugustAug
- Ducks and geese start heading south to spend the winter hereNowSep–Nov
- Monarch butterflies migrate through in fall, September to NovemberNowSep–Nov
- Holgate beach and Clamming Trail open, September 1 to March 31NowSep–Mar
- American black ducks winter here in the hundreds, often thousandsDec–Feb
- Atlantic brant winter here in the hundreds, often thousandsDec–Feb
- Diving waterfowl active in the back baysDec–Feb
Questions people ask
When is the best time to see wildlife at Edwin B. Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge?
In 4 separate phases: Ospreys back on their nest at Osprey Outlook, in spring (March, April, and May), Purple martins return to their colony, in spring (March, April, and May), Birds raise and fledge their young, June, July, and August is the time when our feathered families are raised and fledged and Monarch butterflies migrate through, in fall (September, October, and November). They're separate displays, not one long season, and none of them is a peak.
Is it the season at Edwin B. Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge right now?
There's no official report yet this season.
Where can I watch the ospreys nest?
From Osprey Outlook on the refuge boardwalk, which has telescopes and an interpretive panel. Inside the Visitor Information Center (Wednesday to Sunday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.), an osprey cam shows the nest live.Sources: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Edwin B. Forsythe NWR: Species (Seasons of Wildlife) ↗ (opens in a new tab), U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Edwin B. Forsythe NWR: Visit Us ↗ (opens in a new tab)
Can I visit Holgate in summer?
No. The Holgate Wilderness Area on Long Beach Island is closed from April 1 to August 31 for nesting birds, and the closure can be extended until the chicks fledge. From September 1 to March 31, the beach is open to walking and to driving below the berm crest.Source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Edwin B. Forsythe NWR: Visit Us ↗ (opens in a new tab)
What should I bring in the warm months?
Insect repellent (from late spring into early fall), sunscreen, sunglasses and water. Ticks are around all year but most active in warmer months.Source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Edwin B. Forsythe NWR: Visit Us ↗ (opens in a new tab)
Where can I see fiddler crabs?
They scamper about at low tide in summer, and the boardwalk gives a great view of them.Source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Edwin B. Forsythe NWR: Species (Seasons of Wildlife) ↗ (opens in a new tab)
Should I watch for turtles on the road?
Yes. In spring, female diamondback terrapins come ashore to lay eggs in the sandy soil, and the refuge asks drivers to be careful not to run over them.Source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Edwin B. Forsythe NWR: Species (Seasons of Wildlife) ↗ (opens in a new tab)
Where are the best spots in Edwin B. Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge?
Osprey Outlook: on the refuge boardwalk, with telescopes and an interpretive panel looking out at an osprey nest; an osprey cam shows the nest live on a monitor in the Visitor Information Center; Purple martin colony: gourds hung on poles between the Visitor Information Center and the headquarters building; the colony is visible from the parking lot and as you enter the Wildlife Drive.
Are there closures or permits to know about in Edwin B. Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge?
Holgate Wilderness Area (Long Beach Island unit) closed for nesting birds (Apr–Aug).
What is Edwin B. Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge like through the year?
American black ducks winter here in the hundreds, often thousands (Dec–Feb), Atlantic brant winter here in the hundreds, often thousands (Dec–Feb), Diving waterfowl active in the back bays (Dec–Feb), Ducks and geese start heading south to spend the winter here (Sep–Nov), Ospreys return from the south (Mar–May), Holgate Wilderness Area (Long Beach Island unit) closed for nesting birds (Apr–Aug), Purple martins return to their colony, spring (March to May) (Mar–May), Diamondback terrapins come ashore to lay eggs, spring (March to May) (Mar–May), Birds raise and fledge their young, June to August (Jun–Aug), Southbound shorebird migration begins in July (Jul), Tree swallows gather before migrating, August (Aug), Monarch butterflies migrate through in fall, September to November (Sep–Nov), Cedar Bonnet Island Trail at its best, March to October (Mar–Oct) and Holgate beach and Clamming Trail open, September 1 to March 31 (Sep–Mar).
How we know · Sources (4)
How we know
National Weather Service forecast and alerts (opens in a new tab) (Sep 29) · U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Edwin B. Forsythe NWR: Species (Seasons of Wildlife) (opens in a new tab) (Sep 28) · U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Edwin B. Forsythe NWR: Visit Us (opens in a new tab) (Sep 28) · U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Edwin B. Forsythe NWR: Trails (opens in a new tab) (Sep 28)