See For Yourself

Where to find shorebirds along New Jersey’s Delaware Bay beaches:

Click the following links to bring up Google Maps + directions for each beach. (listed from north to south)

Migrating shorebirds need to fuel up quickly and safely in order to continue their northbound trip every year. With that in mind, it is essential that visitors and observers follow these guidelines:

  • Stay within the designated viewing areas at restricted access beaches. Do not cross through temporary fencing, these areas are restricted to human activity for the duration of the stopover season.
  • Study shorebirds from a distance: use binoculars or a spotting scope to get a good look without disturbing the birds.
  • Keep dogs leashed at all times. Do not allow dogs to run freely around the beach as they can easily cross into restricted access areas, disturbing or potentially harming foraging shorebirds.
  • Honor the requests of shorebird beach stewards and conservation officers.
  • Report disturbances or illegal activity to New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection at 1-877-WARN-DEP.
  • Report sighted leg flag codes to bandedbirds.org. These contributions help scientists track shorebird migration patterns.

Best Times to View Spawning Horseshoe Crabs:

2024 Horseshoe Crab and Shorebird Events Calendar

Wednesday, May 1streTURN the Favor: Volunteer HSC rescue begins on NJ beaches along Delaware Bay
Saturday, May 4thHorseshoe Crab Celebration. 12pm-4pm. Jenkinson’s Aquarium, Point Pleasant, NJ
Sunday, May 5thAmerican Littoral Society: Horseshoe crab tagging @ 7:30pm (pre-registration required)
Tuesday, May 7thRestricted access begins at designated Delaware Bay beaches during daylight hours
Tuesday, May 7thNJ & DE horseshoe crab spawning survey – evening high tide, various beaches
Saturday, May 11thWorld Migratory Bird Day
Saturday, May 11thDowne Township Horseshoe Crab Festival. 11am-4pm. Fortescue, NJ
May 11th-May 19thShorebird and Horseshoe Crab Celebration Days. The Wetlands Institute. Avalon, NJ
May 17th-May 19thNew Jersey Audubon Spring Festival
Monday, May 20thAmerican Littoral Society: Horseshoe crab tagging @ 7:30pm (pre-registration required)
Thursday, May 23rdNJ & DE horseshoe crab spawning survey – evening high tide, various beaches
Thursday, May 23rdAmerican Littoral Society: Horseshoe crab tagging @ 9:30pm (pre-registration required)
Friday, May 24thAmerican Littoral Society: Horseshoe crab tagging @ 10:00pm (pre-registration required)
Saturday, May 25thMilton Horseshoe Crab and Shorebird Festival. 9am-3pm. Milton, DE
Saturday, May 25thAmerican Littoral Society: Horseshoe crab tagging @ 11:00pm (pre-registration required)
Monday, June 3rdAmerican Littoral Society: Horseshoe crab tagging @ 7:00pm (pre-registration required)
Tuesday, June 4thAmerican Littoral Society: Horseshoe crab tagging @ 7:30pm (pre-registration required)
Thursday, June 6thNJ & DE horseshoe crab spawning survey – evening high tide, various beaches
Thursday, June 6threTURN the Favor horseshoe crab season ends and public is encouraged to rescue stranded horseshoe crabs
Friday, June 7thRestricted access at designated beaches along New Jersey’s Delaware Bay is scheduled to be lifted.
Friday, June 7thAmerican Littoral Society: Horseshoe crab tagging @ 9:30pm (pre-registration required)
Sunday, June 16thAmerican Littoral Society: Horseshoe crab tagging @ 5:30pm (pre-registration required)
Thursday, June 20thInternational Horseshoe Crab Day – various activities at local county parks, libraries, etc.
Thursday, June 20thAmerican Littoral Society: Horseshoe crab tagging @ 7:45pm (pre-registration required)
Friday, June 21stNJ & DE horseshoe crab spawning survey – evening high tide, various beaches