Birding in Ocean City: A Migratory Guide

To the casual observer, Ocean City is characterized by the crashing surf or lively Boardwalk music. However, those who know where to listen can hear a much older symphony. The island serves as a key “rest stop” on the Atlantic Flyway, an important bird migration route from the Arctic to South America. Each year, thousands of migrating birds land on our dunes, marshes, and shores, making Ocean City one of the East Coast’s top birdwatching spots.

Seasonal Stars: A Year-Round Rotation

Birding in Ocean City occurs year-round, with the variety of species and birders changing significantly with the seasons.

• The headliners for spring and summer include the returning Osprey as the salt marshes thaw. These
• During the winter, as tourists leave, the “snowbirds” arrive. This season welcomes the Brant Goose, a small sea goose migrating from the high Arctic to feed on eelgrass in our bays. If you’re fortunate, walking along the quiet winter dunes might lead you to see the majestic Snowy Owl. These Arctic predators occasionally migrate south in “irruptions,” and they often find Ocean City’s flat, windswept dunes similar to their frozen tundra habitat. You might also see the Northern Harrier—the “Grey Ghost”—gliding low over marsh grasses while hunting for winter prey.

Top Spotting Locations: From Marsh to Inlet

The key to successful birdwatching in OCNJ is recognizing the island’s varied habitats. Each type of habitat draws a unique range of species.

The Welcome Center & Howard Stainton Wildlife Refuge

Situated on the 9th Street Causeway, the Welcome Center marshes offer easy access for birdwatchers. Elevated viewing platforms provide a clear view into the rookeries below. In spring and summer, you can observe nesting Great Egrets, Snowy Egrets, and Black-crowned Night-Herons amid the thickets. The mudflats are also popular with American Oystercatchers, recognizable by their bright orange bills and tuxedo-like plumage.

Corson’s Inlet State Park

For a more immersive experience, explore Corson’s Inlet’s quiet trails at the southern end, where you can find primary dunes, maritime forest, and tidal inlets. This location is excellent for watching migratory songbirds in the fall “fallout,” when warblers and vireos hide in the scrub trees. By the water, you can spot Sanderlings chasing the waves as they retreat, resembling clockwork toys.

Conservation Efforts: Protecting the Plover

Ocean City plays a crucial role in the Atlantic Flyway. Many visiting birds, like the Piping Plover and the Red Knot, are endangered or threatened.¹ Since they nest and feed on the sand, they are especially vulnerable to disturbances from humans and predators.

The community is committed to conservation efforts. During nesting season, large parts of the upper beach are often cordoned off with string and marked with “No Entry” signs. These protected areas help plover chicks—about the size of a cotton ball and nearly invisible on the sand—to forage safely. Ocean City also employs “bird monitors” and collaborates with state environmental agencies to monitor nesting success. Locals recognize that sharing the beach with these tiny travelers is part of what makes the island “America’s Greatest Family Resort.”

Beginner Tips: Preparing for Your First Outing

You don’t need a PhD in ornithology to enjoy birding in Ocean City. If you’re planning a morning on the island, here’s a simple checklist to help you get started:

1. Optics are essential: A good pair of 8×42 binoculars can greatly enhance your experience, allowing you to observe the intricate patterns on a duck’s wing or the yellow “slippers” of a Snowy Egret.
2. Download the Merlin Bird ID app, which helps you identify birds by sight or song, especially useful in the dense brush at the south end.
3. Dress appropriately for the weather: even sunny days can bring a biting breeze from the bay. Layer up and opt for waterproof shoes if you’re heading to the marsh edges.
4. Follow the “Birder’s Code”: always maintain a respectful distance, particularly near nesting sites. If a bird pauses to look at you, you are too close.
5. Patience and a notebook are essential for birding, which involves listening, waiting, and observing. Maintain a “life list” of the species you spot—you’ll be amazed at how rapidly it expands in spots like Ocean City.

Whether you’re observing an Osprey defending its nest at the 34th Street Bridge or spotting a rare gull by the water, birding ties us to the island’s timeless patterns. It reminds us that although we’re here for the summer, these winged creatures have been navigating these stars and coastlines for thousands of years.