WILDLIFE OF CAPE MAY: A RAILBIKER’S GUIDE
Cape May might be most well-known for its beaches and Victorian Homes because it was the country’s first beach resort town. Actually, Cape May is world renowned for something else as well - its wildlife. Even among the numerous hotels, beach houses, and boardwalks, wildlife thrives on the Cape. With minimal effort one can easily enjoy the beauty the natural world has to offer.
Ospreys could be the official mascot in Cape May. They nest in extremely high densities on the Cape May peninsula including adjacent to the railroad tracks of Rev Rail tours. Did you know Ospreys always adjust their catch so the fish head is facing forward to make it more aerodynamic as they fly?
Looking at a map, Cape May County is conveniently located not too far north but also not too far south. It sits right in the middle of the peninsula allowing for a great mix of both northern and southern ranging species. Cape May also has the added benefit of possessing many various habitat types including, coastal beaches, saltmarshes, forests and fields. This diversity of habitats in a small area combined with geography is what really makes Cape May so unique. The best part about it is, there is something to see year-round. There is never a bad time of year to be in Cape May if you love nature.
However, Cape May’s main attraction occurs during the fall. As temperatures drop, all winged creatures, including birds, butterflies, bats and even dragonflies must begin their migrations south to warmer climates. During their journeys, these animals will follow the coastline south and literally get funneled down the Cape May Peninsula, carefully avoiding the dangerous open waters of the Atlantic Ocean to the east and the Delaware bay to the west. Eventually, they hit land’s-end here in Cape May. Now, surrounded by water on 3 sides, they must decide how to cross the mouth of the Delaware Bay and reach the next land mass in Delaware. The closest point of land in Delaware is 13 miles away, a very long, and potentially deadly flight over open water. So instead, many migrants descend from the sky into suitable habitat in search of food to eventually make the strenuous trek across the bay. On days with weather conditions conducive for migration, it is a normal to see thousands and thousands of birds dripping from the trees, or so many Monarch butterflies it feels like you are in a snow globe of butterflies. These spectacles are so impressive it one-ups nearly every other migration hotspot across the country bringing nature enthusiasts from across the globe to soak in the migration goodness.
Don’t fret if your visit to Cape may falls outside the autumn season. Like I said, there is never a bad season to be in the Cape May area. During the spring, Horseshoe crabs, literal living dinosaurs, come up onto the bay shore beaches under the full moon to lay their eggs. Red Knots, a small species of sandpiper who spend their winters in southern South America, will arrive on these same beaches to feast on the Horseshoe crab eggs. During the summer, Bottlenose Dolphins are ubiquitous in the surf along the beach. Each summer these dolphins migrate north from the Carolina’s to give birth in Cape May’s food rich waters. Look carefully and you might see a calf alongside the adult dolphins. And, if you are lucky, you may spot a Humpback Whale or two just beyond the breakers. In winter, harbor seals hunt for fish in the mouth of the Delaware Bay.
One of the best ways to become immersed in nature in Cape May is to go railbiking with Revolution Rail. Our railbiking tours travel along a 2-mile stretch of railroad track that transects various habitats making it a nature lover’s dream. Revolution Rail in Cape May has an added benefit of being open for business for nearly 9 months of the year meaning the full spectrum of Cape May’s wildlife can be enjoyed. For example, in spring, you may see Ospreys busily building their nests atop a nesting platform, or in summer hundreds of fiddler crabs may be seen scurrying along the saltmarsh, and in fall Bald Eagles might be noted cruising down the Cape May canal searching for fish. Essentially, every tour that runs offers a snapshot of the natural world in Cape May during that season.
This Kirtland’s Warbler delighted hundreds of birders as it stayed at the Garrett Family Preserve for nearly 2 weeks before it continued its journey to the Bahamas. This sighting caused such a stir, it even made the local newspaper!
Birds are the most ubiquitous wildlife seen on the tours. Since Revolution Rail’s inception, some sensational bird sightings have been logged during the tours with the headliner being a Kirtland’s Warbler. This species has only been documented in the state of New Jersey two times and both were seen on the same day. One on a Revolution Rail tour, and the other just 6 miles away to the north. Kirtland’s Warbler is a fascinating species because there only 5,000 individuals in the entire world. They breed in Jack Pine forests in the upper Midwest and spend the winters in the Bahamas, and yet one of these birds was blown off course and called The Garrett Family Preserve in Cape May home for a couple of weeks. This sighting is a great example of never knowing what you may see in Cape May. Anything could appear at any moment and that is what makes it so fun. Other avian highlights observed on a Rev Rail tour were a Swainson’s Hawk, Red-headed Woodpecker, Prothonotary Warbler and Common Raven. To date a whopping 160 species of birds have been tallied on the tour.
However, we can’t forget about other critters that call the train tracks and surrounding habitats home - some obvious and some not so obvious. Resident mammals often detected on tours are Eastern Cottontails, Gray Squirrels, and occasionally Coyotes. The proximity to water also allows for a host of other wildlife to observe. New Jersey’s only saltwater reptile, Diamond-backed Terrapin, is a fan favorite as they exit the saltmarshes and onto the railroad tracks in search of higher ground to lay their eggs. Additionally, Snapping Turtles are sometimes observed as they lumber from pond to pond. Box Turtles, a terrestrial species, are also frequently seen on the tours. Bullfrogs can be heard vocalizing from the nearby ponds.
Butterflies are another major component of Rev Rail tours. The Garrett Family Preserve is an excellent location to see a diverse number of butterflies because native plants are planted to support them and many flowering plants provide nectar for these insects. On a good day, up to 20 species of butterflies are possible to see a on a single tour. I encourage all riders to pay close attention for butterflies while on a tour because their subtle beauty can easily be overlooked. For this reason, binoculars or cameras are a must have for even more wildlife enjoyment. Optics can help you see the unseen. Can’t recommend binoculars enough on a Rev Rail tour.
This gorgeous butterfly is called a Pearl Crescent. With a wingspan of just 1 inch they can easily be overlooked, but a careful study reveals a spectacular pattern. They are commonly seen at the Garrett Family Preserve.
However, there is more to a Rev Tour besides the wonderful opportunity to see a wide array of wildlife. The educational aspect of each tour during the pit stop at the Garrett Family Preserve is often a highlight for many riders. This part of the tour allows riders to take a break from pedaling, to relax and learn about some of the local research conducted here in Cape May by various wildlife organizations. For example, the Cape May Bird Observatory keeps its finger on the pulse of migration by conducting migratory bird watches such as a Hawkwatch every fall. These migration counts help monitor the populations of birds of prey over a long period of time and can shed light on the conservation status of many species. Organizations like Cape May Bird Observatory make Cape May ground zero to see wildlife conservation in action. Member based organizations like these are definitely worthy of your support.
If your passion for the natural world is growing, don’t forget there is more wildlife to experience in Cape May so be sure to take full advantage of the many wildlife viewing options. Some other excellent places to go on a hike and soak in nature include the Cape May Point State Park, South Cape May Meadows, and Higbee Beach WMA. If the marine life in Cape May is more up your alley, I highly recommend going on a saltmarsh safari tour on The Skimmer or signing up for a whale watching tour with the Cape May Whale Watch & Research Center.
Hopefully, now you are itching to get outside and maybe experience a Rev Rail tour or maybe even go on one again. Either way, get outside, keep your eyes peeled and let us know what you see!
