This fall, immerse yourself in the wonders of migration as birds take to the beaches, meadows and dunes of one of North America’s most acclaimed birding meccas - CAPE MAY.
In the company of new and familiar friends, we'll follow the rhythms of the season discovering warblers, raptors, shorebirds, and other travelers as they feast on the bounty of this land in preparation for their journey south.
You’ll enjoy farm-to-table meals, days filled with laughter, learning, and deep connection with the birds and others around you!
A season of possibility...
For more than a century, birders have been drawn to Cape May as one of North America’s legendary migration destinations.
And there's good reason!
Depending on what the Cape is offering, we might spend time with Cape May Warblers, Connecticut Warblers, Philadelphia Vireos, Swainson’s Thrushes, Northern Waterthrushes, Brown Thrashers, or Yellow-billed Cuckoos. Along the shore and marshes, we’ll keep an eye out for Black Skimmers, Royal and Forster’s Terns, Black-bellied Plovers, Pectoral Sandpipers, Dunlin and the many other shorebirds who may show up along the coast.
Our time will be guided by what nature is unfolding for us on the Cape: a favorable wind, a wave of migrants arriving overnight, or a sudden movement of hawks along the coast. We may rise before dawn to catch the morning flight at Higbee Beach, watch Sharp-shinned and Cooper’s Hawks, Merlins, and Peregrine Falcons streaming overhead at Cape May Point Hawkwatch or feasting on the bounty of dragonflies in the fields of South Cape May Meadows, or find ourselves in the middle of a wave of migrants moving through the fields and gardens of Beach Plum Farm.
Late September can be a particularly exciting time in Cape May—still early enough for shorebirds and Neotropical songbirds, while hawk migration is also beginning to build. And because migration is so closely tied to weather, each day can be remarkably different from the one before, creating that wonderful sense of intrigue and possibility that keeps us looking. Perhaps, if we're lucky, we'll wake to one of Cape May’s most fabled fall spectacles: a “fallout,” when weather and migration align to bring thousands of birds down along the coast filling the land with an astonishing rush of feathered life.
Some of us will make our home at Beach Plum Farm, a beautiful 62-acre working farm tucked into the countryside of West Cape May, just a mile from the ocean. We’ll have access to the farm and its open fields, gardens, trees, and winding paths, providing a chance to step away from the crowds and experience the marvels at our own pace. Who knows what might turn up?
The rest of us will stay in the Pink and Red Cottages (part of The Virginia Hotel), tucked into the heart of historic Cape May, just half a block from the beach. Each morning, we’ll all come together here for a complementary artisanal breakfast before heading out for the day.
We’ll have opportunities to deepen our field identification skills, explore behavior and bird language, while spending time experiencing the subtleties of migration.
Our schedule will remain intentionally flexible, allowing the conditions, the birds, and the energy of the group to shape our days. The vibe is intended to be restorative, inspiring, educational, joyful and even a little soulful.
Come be a part of this magical experience.
A season of possibility...
For more than a century, birders have been drawn to Cape May as one of North America’s legendary migration destinations.
And there's good reason!
Depending on what the Cape is offering, we might spend time with Cape May Warblers, Connecticut Warblers, Philadelphia Vireos, Swainson’s Thrushes, Northern Waterthrushes, Brown Thrashers, or Yellow-billed Cuckoos. Along the shore and marshes, we’ll keep an eye out for Black Skimmers, Royal and Forster’s Terns, Black-bellied Plovers, Pectoral Sandpipers, Dunlin and the many other shorebirds who may show up along the coast.
Our time will be guided by what nature is unfolding for us on the Cape: a favorable wind, a wave of migrants arriving overnight, or a sudden movement of hawks along the coast. We may rise before dawn to catch the morning flight at Higbee Beach, watch Sharp-shinned and Cooper’s Hawks, Merlins, and Peregrine Falcons streaming overhead at Cape May Point Hawkwatch or feasting on the bounty of dragonflies in the fields of South Cape May Meadows, or find ourselves in the middle of a wave of migrants moving through the fields and gardens of Beach Plum Farm.
Late September can be a particularly exciting time in Cape May—still early enough for shorebirds and Neotropical songbirds, while hawk migration is also beginning to build. And because migration is so closely tied to weather, each day can be remarkably different from the one before, creating that wonderful sense of intrigue and possibility that keeps us looking. Perhaps, if we're lucky, we'll wake to one of Cape May’s most fabled fall spectacles: a “fallout,” when weather and migration align to bring thousands of birds down along the coast filling the land with an astonishing rush of feathered life.
Some of us will make our home at Beach Plum Farm, a beautiful 62-acre working farm tucked into the countryside of West Cape May, just a mile from the ocean. We’ll have access to the farm and its open fields, gardens, trees, and winding paths, providing a chance to step away from the crowds and experience the marvels at our own pace. Who knows what might turn up?
The rest of us will stay in the Pink and Red Cottages (part of The Virginia Hotel), tucked into the heart of historic Cape May, just half a block from the beach. Each morning, we’ll all come together here for a complementary artisanal breakfast before heading out for the day.
We’ll have opportunities to deepen our field identification skills, explore behavior and bird language, while spending time experiencing the subtleties of migration.
Our schedule will remain intentionally flexible, allowing the conditions, the birds, and the energy of the group to shape our days. The vibe is intended to be restorative, inspiring, educational, joyful and even a little soulful.
Come be a part of this magical experience.
Every moment holds the possibility of something extraordinary—a rare and remarkable bird, a monarch-filled meadow, or dozens of warbler species in one morning.
Every moment holds the possibility of something extraordinary—a rare and remarkable bird, a monarch-filled meadow, or dozens of warbler species in one morning.
A sample of our excursions
Higbee Beach Dawn Flight
An extensive landscape of fields, hedgerows, and forest along the Delaware Bay shore offering some of the best fall birding in the east.
Sunrise can bring the infamous magical “morning flight,” as waves of warblers, vireos, flycatchers, tanagers, and sparrows move through the treetops and across the fields.
Higbee is a great place to look for Prairie Warbler, Golden-winged Warbler, Blue Grosbeak, Indigo Bunting, Black & Yellow-billed Cuckoo's, Whie-eyed Vireo's along with Red-headed Woodpeckers.. to name just a few.
Cape May Point Hawk Watch
Since 1976 the Cape May Hawkwatch platform has filled with visitors and professional counters to observe the spectacle that is fall raptor migration. The platform tallies an average of 30,000 to 45,000 raptors between mid-September and mid-November, alongside a monarch butterfly migration that passes through in the tens of thousands, sixteen dragonfly species plus eighteen additional butterfly species.
A few of the species that have seen high-counts during the week we'll be there are Sharp-shinned and Cooper's Hawks, Merlin, Peregrine Falcon, and Broad-winged Hawk.
South Cape May Meadows
There’s something special about birding in a place where you can stand on the beach scanning the horizon for terns and skimmers one moment, then turn inland and listen for a rail or sora hidden deep in the cattails the next. In late September, the Meadows brings together seabirds, shorebirds, waterfowl and other secretive marsh birds—with the possibility of something completely unexpected thrown in. We’ll spend our first night here and return throughout our stay, with the hope of witnessing one of my favorite displays of the season.
Edwin B. Forsythe NWR
One of the region’s most remarkable shoreline landscapes, where more than 78% of the refuge is made up of coastal salt marsh stretching along 50 miles of New Jersey’s back bays.
The refuge’s mix of salt marsh, freshwater ponds, early successional fields, and woodlands provides habitat for an impressive array of waterfowl, shorebirds and raptors.
We’ll explore scenic trails and the 8-mile Wildlife Drive, with stops at the marsh boardwalk and two observation towers for expansive views of the wetlands and birds.
A sample of our excursions
Higbee Beach Dawn Flight
An extensive landscape of fields, hedgerows, and forest along the Delaware Bay shore offering some of the best fall birding in the east.
Sunrise can bring the infamous magical “morning flight,” as waves of warblers, vireos, flycatchers, tanagers, and sparrows move through the treetops and across the fields.
Higbee is a great place to look for Prairie Warbler, Golden-winged Warbler, Blue Grosbeak, Indigo Bunting, Black & Yellow-billed Cuckoo's, Whie-eyed Vireo's along with Red-headed Woodpeckers.. to name just a few.
Cape May Point Hawk Watch
Since 1976 the Cape May Hawkwatch platform has filled with visitors and professional counters to observe the spectacle that is fall raptor migration. The platform tallies an average of 30,000 to 45,000 raptors between mid-September and mid-November, alongside a monarch butterfly migration that passes through in the tens of thousands, sixteen dragonfly species plus eighteen additional butterfly species.
A few of the species that have seen high-counts during the week we'll be there are Sharp-shinned and Cooper's Hawks, Merlin, Peregrine Falcon, and Broad-winged Hawk.
South Cape May Meadows
There’s something special about birding in a place where you can stand on the beach scanning the horizon for terns and skimmers one moment, then turn inland and listen for a rail or sora hidden deep in the cattails the next. In late September, the Meadows brings together seabirds, shorebirds, waterfowl and other secretive marsh birds—with the possibility of something completely unexpected thrown in. We’ll spend our first night here and return throughout our stay, with the hope of witnessing one of my favorite displays of the season.
Edwin B. Forsythe NWR
One of the region’s most remarkable shoreline landscapes, where more than 78% of the refuge is made up of coastal salt marsh stretching along 50 miles of New Jersey’s back bays.
The refuge’s mix of salt marsh, freshwater ponds, early successional fields, and woodlands provides habitat for an impressive array of waterfowl, shorebirds and raptors.
We’ll explore scenic trails and the 8-mile Wildlife Drive, with stops at the marsh boardwalk and two observation towers for expansive views of the wetlands and birds.
Spaces are Limited.
What does it cost?
Private Room
$2,800
Includes:
5 day/4 night stay (inc. taxes/fees) at one of the Cape Resorts Cottages:
Hidden Cottage, The Red Cottage, The Pink Cottage
Artisanal Breakfast
Complementary Bicycles
Use of onsite pool
Beach service (towels, umbrella, lounge chairs, beach tag)
Additional Hidden Cottage Amenities
Additional Red & Pink Cottage Amenities
Master Bird Guides
Daily Guided Birding Excursions
Park & Entrance Fees
Advanced Bird ID Lessons
A few surprises
Does NOT include:
Airfare
Transportation
Lunch or Dinner
Gratuities
What does it cost?
Private Room
$2,800
Includes:
5 day/ 4 night stay (inc. taxes/fees) at one of the Cape Resorts Cottages:
Hidden Cottage, The Red Cottage, The Pink Cottage
Artisanal Breakfast
Complementary Bicycles
Use of onsite pool
Beach service (towels, umbrella, lounge chairs, beach tag)
Additional Hidden Cottage Amenities
Additional Red & Pink Cottage Amenities
Master Bird Guides
Daily Guided Birding Excursions
Park & Entrance Fees
Advanced Bird ID Lessons
A few surprises
Does NOT include:
Airfare
Transportation
Lunch or Dinner
Gratuities
A Few Notes
ROOMS - All rooms are private. You'll either be lodging at Beach Plumb Farm in Hidden Cottage or 2 miles down the road at The Virginia Hotel & Cottages' Pink Cottage or Red Cottage.
Each location is unique and offers slightly different perks. I'll confirm your room assignment once everyone has registered.
Message me with any questions.
MEALS - Each morning, we’ll enjoy a complimentary artisanal breakfast at The Virginia Hotel (regardless of where you are staying). If you’re staying at Beach Plum Farm, the Hidden Cottage has a full kitchen, so you also have the option to prepare your own breakfast.
Lunch and dinner are not included in the trip cost. You’re welcome to keep things simple and enjoy meals at the Farm or The Virginia Hotel, or explore some of the wonderful cafés and restaurants in the area.
We’ll plan to eat together as often as we can, while also leaving plenty of flexibility for you to choose what works best for you.
AIR TRAVEL - Participants are responsible for their own travel to/from their cottage. Everyone is asked to fly in to either Atlantic City Airport (40 miles away) or Philadelphia International Airport (65 miles away). Check-in (after 3pm at Virginia & 4pm at Beach Plumb) & check-out before 11 am.
Note: The program will have an optional early start Sept 27th at Edwin B Forsythe NWR. Details to follow after registration.
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TRANSPORTATION - In order to allow folks to have more flexibility when on program, participants will reserve their own transportation. Rental cars are available at the airport through most major rental companies. We recommend coordinating with other participants to share a rental car or carpool.
Kristi will have her car available, with room for 4 additional people during the program. We’re happy to help coordinate carpooling and connect you with other participants who may be arriving around the same time.
Your Guide
Kristi Dranginis has been guiding bird and nature-inspired expeditions for more than 25 years.
She is the founder of Bird Mentor, a resource for live and online courses helping people worldwide build confidence learning about birds and the natural world. Through her courses, students are immersed in the principles of instinctive birding, deep nature connection, bird language, and her innovative model for advanced bird identification.
On a retreat with Kristi, you’ll experience the natural world in a deep and connective way. Her gift is mentoring others, and she brings this to every interaction—helping you slow down, notice more, ask better questions, and develop a deeper understanding of the birds and the places you encounter.
If you’re drawn to slowing down, paying attention, and developing a richer relationship with birds and the natural world, you’ll feel right at home.
With Kristi, you’ll receive the highest level of professionalism, decades of experience, and a profound love of the wild world.
If you have any questions, please reach out to:
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