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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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BirdingOutdoor Adventures
Length
6 days
Rating (4.96)
Activity Level
Starts at
2,149
Program
At a Glance
Duration
6 days
Program Begins
Cape May, NJ
Program Concludes
Cape May, NJ
Meals
14 ( 5B, 4L, 5D )
Activity Level
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.
Best of all, you'll...
  • Explore Cape May Point State Park, site of the world-famous Cape May Hawkwatch, 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 hot spots on the East Coast.
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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
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Clay Sutton
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.”
Please Note:
This expert may not be available for every date of the program
Please Note:
These experts may not be available for every date of the program
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.”
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Activity Level
Outdoor: No Sweat
Walking up to three miles daily on varied terrain; standing up to an hour at a time.
Suggested Books and Resources
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You can also find many of the books we recommend at the Road Scholar store on bookshop.org, a website that supports local bookstores.
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Peace of Mind

We want your Road Scholar learning adventure to be something to look forward to—not worry about. That’s why we go to the ends of the earth to give you peace of mind, from the moment you enroll until the day you return home.

Assurance Plan

Road Scholar is committed to the well-being of every participant, whether on a program in the United States or abroad. That’s why all participants are covered under our Road Scholar Assurance Plan, which provides 24-hour assistance in the event of an emergency during your program, as well as insurance for emergency medical evacuation.

Want to Protect Your Investment?

Road Scholar is pleased to offer its Trip Protection Plan as a way to protect your program investment. You may purchase this optional trip protection plan when enrolling in your program.

Sustainable Travel

We offset a portion of the emissions created by your travel. Read about our commitment to a more sustainable planet.

  • Peace of Mind

    We want your Road Scholar learning adventure to be something to look forward to—not worry about. That’s why we go to the ends of the earth to give you peace of mind, from the moment you enroll until the day you return home.

  • Assurance Plan

    Road Scholar is committed to the well-being of every participant, whether on a program in the United States or abroad. That’s why all participants are covered under our Road Scholar Assurance Plan, which provides 24-hour assistance in the event of an emergency during your program, as well as insurance for emergency medical evacuation.

  • Want to Protect Your Investment?

    Road Scholar is pleased to offer its Trip Protection Plan as a way to protect your program investment. You may purchase this optional trip protection plan when enrolling in your program.

  • Sustainable Travel

    We offset a portion of the emissions created by your travel. Read about our commitment to a more sustainable planet.