The Delaware Water Gap, located along the middle Delaware River on the border between New Jersey and Pennsylvania, is home to a wide variety of bird species. This area is an important migratory flyway and provides habitat for both forest and water birds. Some of the notable birds found in the Delaware Water Gap are:
Waterfowl
The Delaware River within the Water Gap and the adjacent marshes provide excellent habitat for waterfowl. Some species spotted here include:
- Mallard
- Canada Goose
- Wood Duck
- American Black Duck
- Green-winged Teal
- Hooded Merganser
- Common Merganser
- Ring-necked Duck
The Delaware River is an important migratory corridor for waterfowl like ducks, geese, and swans. Large rafts of diving ducks and dabbling ducks can be seen on the river during spring and fall migrations. The marshes along the river provide breeding habitat for wood ducks and other wetland species.
Wading Birds
The shallow water areas attract wading bird species like:
- Great Blue Heron
- Great Egret
- Green Heron
- Little Blue Heron
- Black-crowned Night-Heron
These long-legged waders stalk prey in the shallows and along the marshy edges of the river. Several heron and egret rookeries exist near the river, where these birds nest colonially in trees.
Raptors
A number of raptor species inhabit the forests and cliffs of the Delaware Water Gap area, including:
- Bald Eagle
- Osprey
- Red-tailed Hawk
- Red-shouldered Hawk
- Broad-winged Hawk
- Cooper’s Hawk
- Northern Harrier
- American Kestrel
- Barred Owl
- Great Horned Owl
The Delaware River and surrounding woodlands provide excellent hunting grounds for these birds of prey. Migrating raptors like bald eagles, ospreys, and hawks ride the thermals above the Water Gap during spring and fall migrations.
Songbirds
Dozens of songbird species breed in the forests, fields, and wetlands in and around the Delaware Water Gap, including:
- Scarlet Tanager
- Eastern Bluebird
- American Redstart
- Black-throated Blue Warbler
- Ovenbird
- Wood Thrush
- Great Crested Flycatcher
- Eastern Towhee
- Indigo Bunting
- Red-eyed Vireo
- Yellow Warbler
- Common Yellowthroat
- Northern Cardinal
- Song Sparrow
- Gray Catbird
Neotropical songbirds like warblers, vireos, and flycatchers migrate through the Water Gap by the tens of thousands each spring and fall. The diverse habitats support a high diversity of nesting and migrating songbirds.
Other Notable Species
Some other unique bird species found in the Delaware Water Gap area include:
- Belted Kingfisher – found along the river hunting for fish
- Ruby-throated Hummingbird – a summer nesting species
- Ruffed Grouse – inhabits the forested areas
- Wild Turkey – flocks forage in forest clearings
- Black Vulture – soars over the forests and cliffs
- Eastern Screech Owl – a nocturnal hunter that nests in tree cavities
- Great Blue Heron – nests colonially in trees along the river
Best Places for Birdwatching
Some of the top spots to observe birds in the Delaware Water Gap area include:
- The Delaware River – Scan for eagles, ospreys, ducks, and more
- Kittatinny Ridge – Soaring migratory raptors along the top of the ridge
- Peters Valley – Forest songbirds and woodpeckers
- Arrow Island – Heron and egret nesting colony
- Millbrook Village – Red-tailed hawks nesting near the village
- Van Campen’s Glen – warblers feeding along the stream
- Raymondskill Falls – nesting Black-throated Blue Warblers
Migration Seasons
Spring and fall are excellent times to spot migrating songbirds, raptors, and waterfowl passing through the Delaware Water Gap:
- April – May: Spring migration peaks for warblers, vireos, thrushes, and other songbirds. Ospreys return to nesting sites.
- September – November: Fall migration brings southbound neotropical songbirds, hawks, bald eagles, ducks, loons, and more through the region.
Conclusion
With its diversity of habitats including river, marsh, forest, and ridge, the Delaware Water Gap provides critical breeding grounds and migratory stopover places for a wide variety of birds. Birders flock to the area in spring and fall to spot returning colorful warblers, soaring hawks overhead, and waterfowl and wading birds along the river. With a pair of binoculars and some patience, visitors can enjoy fantastic birdwatching and spot many unique species throughout the year.