New Jersey, with its diverse landscapes of forests, beaches, and marshlands, offers a haven for birdwatchers and nature enthusiasts alike. Among the winged wonders, hawks hold a special place due to their majestic presence and intriguing behaviors. As powerful predators, these birds grace the Garden State’s skies with an impressive display of aerial prowess.
Types of Hawk in New Jersey
Red-tailed Hawks: Red-tailed Hawks, are a common sight at the Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge where it can be seen soaring high on thermal currents.
Cooper’s Hawks: Urban and suburban areas like those around Princeton provide a surprising home to the Cooper’s Hawk. These agile raptors are often spotted hunting among the trees in Marquand Park.
Red-shouldered Hawks: The lush, mature forests of Wharton State Forest provide the perfect habitat for the Red-shouldered Hawk. Their distinct, loud call often gives away their presence.
Broad-winged Hawks: These migratory birds pass through New Jersey in large numbers. For an incredible view of their migratory flocks, head to the Montclair Hawk Watch site during the fall season.
Sharp-shinned Hawks: This agile hunter is often seen darting through the forests of High Point State Park, especially during the autumn migration season when birdwatching opportunities are at their peak.
Northern Harrier: The open marshlands of Edwin B. Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge are a favored habitat for the Northern Harrier. They can often be spotted gliding low over the marshes in search of prey.
Northern Goshawks: While sightings are less common, the elusive Northern Goshawk can sometimes be spotted in the remote wooded areas of Stokes State Forest, where they’re known to nest.
Rough-legged Hawks: These winter visitors can often be found in the open fields of Wallkill River National Wildlife Refuge. Look for their distinctive hovering flight, a trait used while hunting during the colder months.
New Jersey Hawks Photo Guide
Where to Spot Hawks in New Jersey
Cape May Hawk Watch: Located at Cape May Point State Park, this is one of the premier places to see raptor migration in North America. You can expect to see species such as the Cooper’s Hawk, Sharp-shinned Hawk, and Northern Harrier.
Raccoon Ridge Hawk Watch: Nestled in the Appalachian Trail, this location offers an excellent vantage point for observing migrating Broad-winged Hawks, Red-shouldered Hawks, and more.
Montclair Hawk Watch: This hawk watch site at Mills Reservation offers a chance to observe a wide variety of migrating raptors including Red-tailed Hawks, Sharp-shinned Hawks, and Cooper’s Hawks.
Chimney Rock Hawk Watch: Located in Martinsville, this site provides excellent views of migrating raptors including the Broad-winged Hawk, Red-shouldered Hawk, and Red-tailed Hawk.
Sandy Hook Hawk Watch: A part of Gateway National Recreation Area, this site offers prime viewing during fall migration season, with potential sightings of Northern Harriers, Peregrine Falcons, and Sharp-shinned Hawks.
The rich biodiversity of New Jersey’s hawk species is a source of great excitement for bird watchers, yet the exploration shouldn’t stop here. Neighboring states also present unique opportunities to observe different species and subspecies of hawks in diverse habitats.
| Neighbouring State's Hawks | Hawk Watching Site |
|---|---|
| Hawk Species in New York | Franklin Mountain State Forest |
| Hawk Species in Pennsylvania | Hawk Mountain Sanctuary |
| Hawk Species in Delaware | Ashland Nature Center |