New Jersey

Birding Cape May

Program No. 14349RJ
With its many protected areas and variety of unique habitats, Cape May is a Mecca for both birds and birders alike. Come see songbirds in spring and raptors in the fall.

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At a Glance

Cape May has earned a reputation as one of North America's best birding locales because of its diverse set of protected natural areas at the intersection of two major migration flyways. Spring brings warblers and other songbirds. Autumn highlights hawks, falcons, eagles and other raptors. The backdrop is a charming seaside town with Victorian architecture and a scenic lighthouse.
Activity Level
Outdoor: No Sweat
Walking up to two miles daily on varied terrain; standing up to an hour at a time.

What You'll Learn

  • Explore Cape May Point State Park, site of the world-famous Cape May Hawk Watch, to spot the inhabitants of beaches, ponds, marshes, fields and coastal forests.
  • Experience an afternoon boat ride through Cape May Harbor into the salt marsh and back-bay environment, with a visit from a local birding authority.
  • Dine at the famous Lobster House after a field trip to one of the premier songbird migration hotspots on the East Coast.

General Notes

Due to the nature of this program, listening devices will be unavailable. All Road Scholar birding programs have a maximum participant-to-instructor ratio of 14:1 in the field. We adhere to the American Birding Association’s Code of Ethics. Learn more at http://www.aba.org/about/ethics.html Due to the nature of this program, listening devices are not available.
Featured Expert
All trip experts
Profile Image
Adehl Schwaderer
Adehl Schwaderer is a birder and nature enthusiast. She was first introduced to Cape May’s wonders in 2018 when she worked as an Interpretive Naturalist for Cape May Bird Observatory’s Hawkwatch fall migration project. She has since worked for organizations providing educational programs on environmental conservation, completed her master’s degree in Environmental Education and Parks & Resource Management, and made her way back to Cape May as Program Coordinator for the Cape May Bird Observatory. Adehl facilitates an array of birding programs and outreach opportunities.

Please note: This expert may not be available for every date of this program.

Profile Image of Clay Sutton
Clay Sutton View biography
A life-long resident of Cape May, Clay Sutton has worked for the past decade as a self-employed environmental consultant, naturalist and field biologist. He also has experience as an environmental planner and program administrator, and served as the vice president of an environmental consulting firm, specializing in threatened and endangered species. Clay was a long-time instructor for the American Birding Association’s Institute for Field Ornithology, and is the co-author of several books including “Hawks in Flight,” “How to Spot Butterflies,” “How to Spot Hawks & Eagles,” and “How to Spot an Owl.”
Profile Image of Pat Sutton
Pat Sutton View biography
Pat Sutton is a freelance writer, photographer, naturalist, educator, lecturer and wildlife garden consultant. She utilizes her own garden as a “teaching garden,” and features it in many programs and workshops, and shows it during private wildlife garden explorations that she has led for 21 years. Pat and her husband, Clay, are the authors of the landmark book, “Birds and Birding at Cape May,” a summary of their efforts over many years to document and protect the migration and the hometown that they so love. Pat has been a working naturalist since 1977, first for the Cape May Point State Park and then for 21 years with New Jersey Audubon’s Cape May Bird Observatory, where she was the naturalist and program director. Pat has a master’s from Rowan University in environmental education and an undergraduate degree in literature from the State University of New York at Oneonta.
Profile Image of Tish Byrne
Tish Byrne View biography
An artist and historian, Tish Byrne is passionate about all aspects of her native city and its environment after having lived in and led explorations at the Physick House, which belongs to Philadelphia Landmarks. She is a graduate of the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts later becoming an administrative assistant to the Director of the school. Presently, she leads excursions for the mural arts program, is a docent at Historic Christ Church and leads explorations of Philadelphia landmarks.
Profile Image of Mitchell Kramer
Mitchell Kramer View biography
Mitchell Kramer has a B.A. in playwriting from Hampshire College and attended Circle in the Square acting conservatory. He has worked off-Broadway and in regional theater including the New York Theater Workshop and Dorset Theater Festival. He is a costumed Historic Interpreter portraying Benjamin Franklin in Old City Philadelphia. Mitchell has written and produced plays for children and adults and a series of historically accurate stories about 18th century Philadelphia for Historic Philadelphia, Inc. He is on the Board of Directors of Mount Sinai Cemetery.
Profile Image of Valerie Driscoll
Valerie Driscoll View biography
Valerie Driscoll is nearly a native of Cape May, as true natives are required to go back at least two generations. She is a teacher of mindfulness and a wellness coach, who practices locally as well as afar. Other interior pursuits include helping clients decorate, downsize and de-clutter their homes in addition to building new ones. Music, especially live, birding, yoga, cycling, reading and dancing are some of her other favorite activities.
Profile Image of Lauren Kain
Lauren Kain View biography
Lauren Biddle Kain is the site coordinator for Philadelphia Landmarks Road Scholar. She received her BS/BA from Randolph Macon College in Ashland, Virginia. After marriage and transfer to the San Diego area, she began working at EVENT NETWORK, a leading experiental retail operator, on behalf of cultural attractions such as zoos, botanical gardens, aquariums, museums, science centers and other cultural attractions. Lauren and her family now reside in the Philadelphia area. She started working with Road Scholar as a junior Group Leader for Grandparent Programs.
Profile Image of Adehl Schwaderer
Adehl Schwaderer View biography
Adehl Schwaderer is a birder and nature enthusiast. She was first introduced to Cape May’s wonders in 2018 when she worked as an Interpretive Naturalist for Cape May Bird Observatory’s Hawkwatch fall migration project. She has since worked for organizations providing educational programs on environmental conservation, completed her master’s degree in Environmental Education and Parks & Resource Management, and made her way back to Cape May as Program Coordinator for the Cape May Bird Observatory. Adehl facilitates an array of birding programs and outreach opportunities.
Profile Image of Michael Lanzone
Michael Lanzone View biography
Michael Lanzone is the CEO of Cellular Tracking Technologies in Rio Grande, NJ, a company that develops high-end animal tracking devices for research worldwide. Over his career he has worked for various state and federal agencies and not-for profit organizations across the country. He has also worked on many other research and banding projects across the world and has specialized in technological advancements and applied conservation in ornithology including bioacoustics and Golden Eagle ecology and conservation. Mike enjoys birding, gardening, fishing, and photography.
Visit the Road Scholar Bookshop
You can find many of the books we recommend at the Road Scholar store on bookshop.org, a website that supports local bookstores.
Meals
14 Meals
5 Breakfasts
4 Lunches
5 Dinners
The following choices may be available when requested in advance: Gluten Free, Low Salt, Low Fat, Vegetarian
Lodging
Lodgings may differ by date. Select a date to see the lodgings specific to that date.
Display
Oct 06, 2024 - Oct 11, 2024
  • Oct 06, 2024 - Oct 11, 2024
  • May 26, 2024 - May 31, 2024
  • Sep 22, 2024 - Sep 27, 2024
  • Oct 06, 2024 - Oct 11, 2024
  • Apr 27, 2025 - May 02, 2025
  • May 25, 2025 - May 30, 2025
  • Sep 14, 2025 - Sep 19, 2025
  • Sep 28, 2025 - Oct 03, 2025
5 nights
Cape May
Nestled in the heart of Cape May’s charming Historic District, classic charm meets contemporary design and modern finishes where Beach meets Ocean. The Inn of Cape May’s refreshed design blends past and present in effortless harmony to create a timeless seaside escape. Wake to the sun peaking over the horizon, soak up the afternoon sun while gazing out at the Atlantic from our wraparound porch, and fall asleep to the gentle crash of waves on the shoreline…life’s most simple pleasures will leave you feeling refreshed & restored. Every stay in Cape May is unique – as are each of The Inn’s 51 guest rooms and suites. A quirky feature of our more than century-old footprint – each room varies in shape, size, and view. Plush new accommodations and amenities complement the original charm of one of the island’s oldest and grandest hotels.
5 nights
Cape May
Nestled in the heart of Cape May’s charming Historic District, classic charm meets contemporary design and modern finishes where Beach meets Ocean. The Inn of Cape May’s refreshed design blends past and present in effortless harmony to create a timeless seaside escape. Wake to the sun peaking over the horizon, soak up the afternoon sun while gazing out at the Atlantic from our wraparound porch, and fall asleep to the gentle crash of waves on the shoreline…life’s most simple pleasures will leave you feeling refreshed & restored. Every stay in Cape May is unique – as are each of The Inn’s 51 guest rooms and suites. A quirky feature of our more than century-old footprint – each room varies in shape, size, and view. Plush new accommodations and amenities complement the original charm of one of the island’s oldest and grandest hotels.
5 nights
Cape May
Nestled in the heart of Cape May’s charming Historic District, classic charm meets contemporary design and modern finishes where Beach meets Ocean. The Inn of Cape May’s refreshed design blends past and present in effortless harmony to create a timeless seaside escape. Wake to the sun peaking over the horizon, soak up the afternoon sun while gazing out at the Atlantic from our wraparound porch, and fall asleep to the gentle crash of waves on the shoreline…life’s most simple pleasures will leave you feeling refreshed & restored. Every stay in Cape May is unique – as are each of The Inn’s 51 guest rooms and suites. A quirky feature of our more than century-old footprint – each room varies in shape, size, and view. Plush new accommodations and amenities complement the original charm of one of the island’s oldest and grandest hotels.
5 nights
Cape May
Nestled in the heart of Cape May’s charming Historic District, classic charm meets contemporary design and modern finishes where Beach meets Ocean. The Inn of Cape May’s refreshed design blends past and present in effortless harmony to create a timeless seaside escape. Wake to the sun peaking over the horizon, soak up the afternoon sun while gazing out at the Atlantic from our wraparound porch, and fall asleep to the gentle crash of waves on the shoreline…life’s most simple pleasures will leave you feeling refreshed & restored. Every stay in Cape May is unique – as are each of The Inn’s 51 guest rooms and suites. A quirky feature of our more than century-old footprint – each room varies in shape, size, and view. Plush new accommodations and amenities complement the original charm of one of the island’s oldest and grandest hotels.
5 nights
Cape May
Nestled in the heart of Cape May’s charming Historic District, classic charm meets contemporary design and modern finishes where Beach meets Ocean. The Inn of Cape May’s refreshed design blends past and present in effortless harmony to create a timeless seaside escape. Wake to the sun peaking over the horizon, soak up the afternoon sun while gazing out at the Atlantic from our wraparound porch, and fall asleep to the gentle crash of waves on the shoreline…life’s most simple pleasures will leave you feeling refreshed & restored. Every stay in Cape May is unique – as are each of The Inn’s 51 guest rooms and suites. A quirky feature of our more than century-old footprint – each room varies in shape, size, and view. Plush new accommodations and amenities complement the original charm of one of the island’s oldest and grandest hotels.
5 nights
Cape May
Nestled in the heart of Cape May’s charming Historic District, classic charm meets contemporary design and modern finishes where Beach meets Ocean. The Inn of Cape May’s refreshed design blends past and present in effortless harmony to create a timeless seaside escape. Wake to the sun peaking over the horizon, soak up the afternoon sun while gazing out at the Atlantic from our wraparound porch, and fall asleep to the gentle crash of waves on the shoreline…life’s most simple pleasures will leave you feeling refreshed & restored. Every stay in Cape May is unique – as are each of The Inn’s 51 guest rooms and suites. A quirky feature of our more than century-old footprint – each room varies in shape, size, and view. Plush new accommodations and amenities complement the original charm of one of the island’s oldest and grandest hotels.
5 nights
Cape May
Nestled in the heart of Cape May’s charming Historic District, classic charm meets contemporary design and modern finishes where Beach meets Ocean. The Inn of Cape May’s refreshed design blends past and present in effortless harmony to create a timeless seaside escape. Wake to the sun peaking over the horizon, soak up the afternoon sun while gazing out at the Atlantic from our wraparound porch, and fall asleep to the gentle crash of waves on the shoreline…life’s most simple pleasures will leave you feeling refreshed & restored. Every stay in Cape May is unique – as are each of The Inn’s 51 guest rooms and suites. A quirky feature of our more than century-old footprint – each room varies in shape, size, and view. Plush new accommodations and amenities complement the original charm of one of the island’s oldest and grandest hotels.





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