Avalon Seawatch At A Glance...
- NJ Audubon counts almost 800,000 seabirds in an average season, and some years come close to a million.
- About 70 percent of the flight passes in five weeks, from roughly October 7 to November 14.
- Counters have tallied 256,633 Black Scoters in a single season (1999) and 154,104 Northern Gannets (2015).
- NJ Audubon calls it the East Coast's only full-time seawatch, counting since 1995.
- The north tip of Avalon juts about a mile farther out than the coast to the north, so the birds pass close to the beach.
- Todays Sunrise: , Sunset:
- New Jersey Southern Shore Region Cape May County
About Avalon Seawatch
The Avalon Seawatch is a daily fall count of migrating seabirds, run by NJ Audubon's Cape May Bird Observatory. It is held on the beach in Avalon between 8th and 9th Streets, at the north end of the island. NJ Audubon says it is the East Coast's only full-time seawatch, and the count has been going since 1995.
The spot works because the north tip of Avalon sticks out about a mile farther into the ocean than the coast to the north. Birds flying south along the shore are pushed in close to the beach, so you can see them with binoculars and not just a spotting scope. The counters use binoculars, scopes and hand tally counters, and they log the flight hour by hour. NJ Audubon says almost 800,000 seabirds are counted here in an average season, and that some years come close to a million.
Expect long strings of Black, Surf and White-winged Scoters, Northern Gannets, Red-throated Loons, Double-crested Cormorants and gulls, with a few surprises every year. NJ Audubon posts a count update during the season.
Contact / Location
Programs / Education
NJ Audubon's Cape May Bird Observatory has met groups here for seabird ID mini-workshops and young birder outings. Look for current programs on NJ Audubon's Cape May Bird Observatory events calendar, and register ahead when a program asks for it.
Best Time of Year to Visit
In most years about 70 percent of the migrants go by in five weeks, from about October 7 to November 14. The flight tends to be heaviest early and late in the day, and southerly and easterly winds usually bring more birds than northerly or westerly ones. Late in the season, Red-throated Loons build up and the rarer ducks, such as Common Eider and Harlequin Duck, start to appear. Past counters have also logged humpback whales moving south off the beach.
Tips and Tricks
It is an open beach in late fall, so dress for wind and cold. Watch for the counters at their scopes; they are the quickest way to find out what is flying. Avalon's borough website carries its beach rules, including beach tags and where dogs are allowed.
Directions
The Seawatch is on the beach in Avalon between 8th and 9th Streets, at the ocean end of East 9th Street. NJ Audubon lists the address as 25 East 9th Street, Avalon.
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Nearby Places
In neighboring Stone Harbor, the Tatham Life Saving Station and Museum tells the story of the local life-saving crews.
Here are 10 places near Avalon Seawatch
- Avalon Seawatch (~0 miles)
- Salt Marsh Safari, Stone Harbor (~5 miles)
- Tatham Life Saving Station and Museum (~6 miles)
- Cape May County Park and Zoo (~6 miles)
- The Doctor's Inn Bed and Breakfast (~7 miles)
- Adventure Bound Camping (~8 miles)
- Shellbay Campground (~8 miles)
- Corson's Inlet State Park (~8 miles)
- Whippoorwill Campground (~10 miles)
- The Ocean City Dog Park (~10 miles)
- Morey's Piers (~10 miles)
- King Nummy Trail Campground (~10 miles)
Avalon, New Jersey 08202