The double-crested cormorants are coming. And the red-throated loons. And more than 150 other species of birds that are migrating south. The annual Avalon Sea Watch on the beach at 8th Street is the perfect opportunity to see these winged travelers --  as many as 750,000 birds  each fall -- on their way to their winter home in the Outer Banks.

The 2022 Avalon Sea Watch began September 22nd and concludes December 22nd. In partnership with Avalon Borough, the New Jersey Audubon Society uses trained observers throughout daylight hours to count waterbirds following the coastline heading south. 

Visitors are welcome to bring their blankets, chairs and binoculars to see this renowned natural spectacle.

There are free Seabird Mini ID Workshops at the 8th  Street beach each Saturday and Sunday from 2 to 3pm, October 1st to November 12th. Also,  interpretive naturalists will be  on-site throughout the day on Saturdays and Sundays beginning October 1st, and every day from October 14th through the 30th.

Because the northern end of Avalon juts out a mile farther into the Atlantic (“Cooler by a Mile”) than the coastlines further north, Avalon’s 8th Street beach has become a national destination for birdwatching enthusiasts.

To “keep score” from home, go to the New Jersey Audubon Society web page.

An additional link to the Trektellen website containing historical annual totals and daily real-time counts is available on the Audubon Society’s page.