Snowy Owls Spotted in New Jersey

Snowy Owl "Island Beach" sitting on a post.

Snowy owls from Canada sometimes come as far south as coastal New Jersey.

Snowy owls normally stay further north and we’ll only get a few in Jersey.

Some years there are “irruptions” where unusually high numbers go further south in search of food, like what happened in 2013.

2017 was the first time snowy owls were caught in New Jersey and fitted with electronic trackers. The ones tagged in New Jersey in 2017 were named “Island Beach”, “Lenape”, and “Higbee”.

These two photos were taken on December 26th, 2018 (from a distance, using a long lens).

Where to spot Snowy Owls in NJ

Open coastal areas such as Island Beach State Park, Edwin B. Forsythe NWR, Cape May Lighthouse area, Sandy Hook, and Barnegat Lighthouse are good areas to try to spot one.

The exact location of an owl is not generally posted online to protect the birds. Non-real time general locations are also available on eBird’s list for New Jersey. Scroll or search the list for any snowy owl spottings.

Project SNOWstorm shows the locations of tagged birds on an interactive map (information is not real-time).

Check out Southern Ocean Birding Group for general birding information, meetings, and field trips to Jersey birding locations.

As of 1/29/24 – we’re not aware of any snowy owls sightings in NJ.

Keep in mind that spotting an owl could require walking some distance, possibly over sand, and in an area with limited or no facilities such as restrooms. Be sure to dress warmly.

The owls are often far away and require binoculars or a telephoto lens to see them. There are usually many photographers and birders at a sighting and some may let offer you a peek through their lens.

It may be possible to see a snowy owl (as well as other birds) at the Raptor Trust in Basking Ridge, New Jersey. This organization provides assistance to injured, sick, or orphaned wild birds and is caring for an owl named Luna at their facilities. Check their site for visiting info and current resident birds.

If you spot a snowy owl…

Keep your distance and do not feed an owl, ever. The owls can be very naive around people and let them get too close. Also be mindful of keeping off of sand dunes.

!!! It’s VERY important not to disturb an owl. Be sure to check out Snowy Owl Etiquette.

These two photos were taken at Forsythe NWR on December 9, 2020:

Snowy owl sitting on a speed limit sign.

This owl appears to be female and consistently spent most of her time close to the road undisturbed by people activity.

Snowy owl with eyes closed sitting on mile marker sign.

Want to get in a hike too?

We’ve got hike guides for Island Beach and Forsythe NWR.

Related: Winter Hiking Tips

More Photos…

These were taken along the New Jersey shore during several weeks in December 2017 and January 2018, using a very large telephoto lens in order to get this close.