20 Hartshorne Drive P.O. Box 553 Fort Hancock, NJ 07732 Phone: (732) 872-2500 Fax: (732) 872-2577 Rare Bird Alert: (732) 872-2595 E-mail: shbo@njaudubon.org Sept.-June Hours:  Tues.-Sat, 10-5; Sunday, 10-3 . SUMMER HOURS: Tues. - Fri, 10-5; Saturday, 10-3; Sunday CLOSED

Birding

In March and April, birdwatching focuses on waterfowl, gulls, and raptors.  May brings abundant migrating songbirds.  Fall birding begins in August with south-bound shorebirds, followed in September and October by numerous songbirds, such as flycatchers, warblers, sparrows, and buntings.  Various water birds can be found in winter, including loons, grebes, sea ducks, and gulls.  For a more detailed description of Sandy Hook birding, read Scott Barnes's account.

Rarities in recent years include Sabine’s Gull, Swallow-tailed Kite,  Barrow's Goldeneye, Groove-billed Ani, Gray Kingbird, Scissor-tailed Flycatcher, and Townsend’s Warbler.  For pictures of some of the latest hot finds, see our gallery of Sandy Hook Rarities.

In addition to the birding available right at the Hook, there are other productive birdwatching sites along Raritan Bay and in Hartshorne Woods in neighboring Atlantic Highlands.  For birding these other areas, see Scott Barnes's guide to birding Raritan Bay and the Close Focus on Natco Lake by Associate Naturalist Tom Boyle.  Another excellent birding location in the winter is the North Shore; Scott provides details on the birds and recommended spots for birding on the northern part of the North Shore here.

SHBO Facilities

The observatory maintains information on recent sightings, and provides maps of the birding hotspots on the Hook. The associated shop stocks an extensive collection of birding and natural history books as well as bird-watching optics, and bird-theme gift items such as calendars, cards, Christmas ornaments, and T-shirts.

A hummingbird and butterfly garden (photos) is planted around the center building.  July to early October is the season for butterflies in our garden.

SHBO is located within the Gateway National Recreation Area, Sandy Hook Unit, in the Historic Fort Hancock District.  With its beaches, fishing, natural history, and historical sights -- such as America's oldest working lighthouse, shown at the left -- Gateway NRA now draws over two million visitors each year.  Park facilities include a visitor center, an observation deck overlooking New York Harbor (download the 125K PDF file; then Zoom to view the panorama), and hiking and biking trails.

There are no lodgings or public camping facilities at Sandy Hook, but there are a number of hotels, motels, and B&B's in the area.  (List)
 

PROGRAMS:

The Sandy Hook Bird Observatory promotes birding, natural history, environmental education, and conservation for local, statewide, national, and international visitors. 

Our calendar of programs for organized groups and the public includes:

• Morning seasonal bird and butterfly walks at Sandy Hook
• Education classes for schools, scouts and youth groups
• Annual Sandy Hook Migration Watch, typically March 15 to May 15 
• Seasonal birding and natural history workshops
• Open House - free natural history programs on the third Wednesday evenings of the month, April through October
• Birding, butterflying and natural history field trips to locations across New Jersey (Field Trip Directions )
• Beginning Birders trips and workshops
• Annual weekend events focusing on aspects of natural history
• Natural History tours to premier locations across America and beyond 

The center can also assist visiting individuals and groups seeking personal guides with local expertise.

Naturalists from the Sandy Hook Bird Observatory also maintain the birding hotline Voice of New Jersey Audubon.

DIRECTIONS to SHBO:

From the North: Exit the Garden State Parkway at Exit 117 and proceed on Route 36 South for 13 miles to the entrance to Sandy Hook - Gateway National Recreation Area.

From the South: Exit the Garden State Parkway at Exit 105 and proceed on Route 36 North. The road will take you in an easterly direction until you reach Ocean Avenue where you and Route 36 North both make a left turn. Proceed north on Ocean Avenue for 5.5 miles to the entrance to Sandy Hook - Gateway National Recreation Area.

Once You Reach the Park: Proceed straight into the Park on Hartshorne Drive.* You will continue north 2.5 miles passing the Ranger Station (only building in center island of road). After another 1.2 miles you will bear left along the bay (west) side and pass Atlantic Drive on the east side. Continue north on Hartshorne Drive for 0.8 miles, where you will see a large white missile and a "Welcome to Fort Hancock" sign.  Bear left along the bay into historic Fort Hancock for about 75 yards to a driveway on the right before the first building (SHBO).  Turn into this driveway and proceed behind the building past the public bathrooms on the right to the parking lot.  If you reach “Officers Row” (a long row of large houses), you have gone too far.

Please, access SHBO through the front door.

*A fee is charged for parking in beach access lots from 7 am to 4 pm, Memorial Day through Labor Day. Tell the toll attendant that you are visiting the Sandy Hook Bird Observatory or that you are birding and not parking in beach access lots; they will waive the entrance fee.