Merlin

This is the peak time for falcon migration in Cape May, and if the weather is right we could experience excellent flights of Merlin, Peregrine Falcon, and American Kestrel. Photo by Josh Engel.

Black Skimmer

An iconic Cape May sight: interesting birds in front of the famous lighthouse. Photo by Josh Engel.

American Crow

Both American and Fish Crows occur in southern New Jersey and present good opportunities to learn how to identify them. Photo by Josh Engel.

Bald Eagle

Bald Eagles are both residents and migrants here. Photo by Josh Engel.

Black Scoters

Sea ducks are just arriving at this time of year, so we hope to see Black Scoters flying along the shore. Photo by Josh Engel.

Brown-headed Nutcatch

We will take the ferry across to Delaware where our first order of business will be looking for Brown-headed Nutchatch, here at the northern edge of its range. Photo by Josh Engel.

Forster's Tern

Photo by Josh Engel.

Photographing skimmers

Black Vulture

Black Vulture is a good reminder that there is a strong southern influence to the birds in Cape May. Photo by Josh Engel.

Monarch

This is the peak time of year for Monarch butterfly migration. There is an active community of monarch taggers in Cape May, which is why this one is wearing a sticker. Photo by Josh Engel.

Boat-tailed Grackle

A common bird of the coastal wetlands along the New Jersey coast. Photo by Josh Engel.

Brown Pelican

Photo by Josh Engel.

Eastern Fence Lizard

Photo by Josh Engel.

Lesser Black-backed Gull

The local beaches present great opportunities for learning about gull identification. Photo by Josh Engel.

Black-and-white Warbler

One of the more common warblers at this time of year. Photo by Josh Engel.

Long-billed Dowitcher

Some of the wetlands we visit, like Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge and Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge are excellent for shorebirds. Photo by Josh Engel.