Best Birding Spots in South Jersey: Two Must-Visit Locations for All Ages
- Christine Dyer
- May 3
- 3 min read
If you’re looking for the best birding spots in New Jersey, these two locations offer some of the most accessible and rewarding wildlife experiences in the state.
Of all the places I’ve explored while birding across New Jersey, two stand out as destinations that anyone—from seasoned birders to curious families—should experience at least once.
Ocean City Rookery
Edwin B. Forsythe Wildlife Refuge
The first destination is the Ocean City Rookery—and it’s truly something special.
To visit, simply park next to the Ocean City Welcome Center and step into what feels like a completely different world. This spot is a birder’s dream. In fact, it brought me right back to my 2009 trip to the Galápagos Islands—not because of the landscape, but because of the sheer concentration of wildlife. Birds are everywhere, going about their lives, completely unbothered by the people observing them.
Within moments of arriving, you’ll notice hundreds of egrets nesting. I learned that they typically stay through September, with eggs hatching from mid- to late May—making this an especially exciting time to visit.
This is also where I saw my new favorite bird: the Little Blue Heron. Its color is almost electric—deep blue with hints of purple—and even more striking in person. I also spotted at least 30 Yellow-crowned Night Heron for the first time, along with nesting egrets, vivid blue eggs, Black-crowned Night Heron, White Ibis, and Glossy Ibis.
It’s the kind of place where you don’t have to search for wildlife—it surrounds you.
The second destination is Edwin B. Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge in Galloway, New Jersey. What makes this place so special is its 8-mile wildlife drive—a loop that winds through expansive marshland, with water stretching out on both sides of the road. Cars move at just 10 miles per hour, making it feel less like a drive and more like a slow, immersive journey through nature.
Yes—this is “drive-through birding,” and it’s every bit as magical as it sounds.
You can pull over whenever something catches your eye, roll down the windows, and just take it all in. At times, it feels like a safari. On my visit, I spotted a Glossy Ibis, along with Great Blue Heron, Snowy Egret, Great Egret, Osprey, Black Skimmer, Forster's Tern, Dunlin, American Oystercatcher, and a variety of sandpipers. Even the marsh itself was alive—with crabs and constant movement adding to the experience.
More than anything, though, what stayed with me was the sense of calm. It’s peaceful in a way that’s hard to describe until you’re there.
If you’re looking for a way to connect with nature, slow down, and experience something memorable, these two spots are well worth the trip. Whether you’re an avid birder or simply someone who appreciates beauty close to home, South Jersey has more to offer than you might expect.
And if you’re looking for more ways to stay connected with the natural beauty right here in New Jersey, There’s This River carries that experience forward—celebrating local landscapes, wildlife, and the quiet moments in between. You can explore the book and bring a piece of that experience home.
You may also like reading 13 Best New Jersey Nature Spots in NYC Metro Area.
Stay Curious,
Author & Photographer, There's This River
Owner, River & Wild Co.
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