WELCOME!

For the best birding in Ocean County, New Jersey

The Southern Ocean Birding Group (SOBG) was organized in September 2008 for the enjoyment and education of its members and guests. We are the only birding group located in Ocean County. The SOBG has monthly field trips and presents educational programs at our monthly meetings that are open and free to the public. We welcome bird enthusiasts at all levels, from beginner to expert.

Snowy Owl

Birders

We invite you to come visit us and experience the joy of birding!

Our home territory extends from Manasquan Inlet southward past Barnegat Inlet to Great Bay and westward into the Pinelands of New Jersey. This area is on the Atlantic Flyway and a prime location for a wide variety of birds from diving sea ducks to forest song birds.

Meetings

We meet the first Thursday of most months, usually at the Barnegat Branch of the Ocean County Library, 112 Burr St. in Barnegat, NJ 08005. Check the monthly meeting notifications for locations. Our meetings start at 7PM, with the doors open at 6:30 for socializing. All meetings are free and open to the public.

Field-Trip-to-Cape-May-July-2017

Field Trips

We run monthly field trips to various birding areas in southern New Jersey.  These trips are a way for our members to share their collective knowledge of birds along with providing an opportunity to improve their observational skills. Check out our calendar.

You can see eBird trip report checklists from some of our field trips here (access requires a free eBird user ID): https://ebird.org/profile/MzY4OTUzMA/US-NJ.

Help support our environmental and educational efforts

SOBG is a non-profit organization with 501(c)(3) status. We are happy to accept tax-deductible donations, in addition to membership dues, which allows us to offer:

  • some of the best programs and speakers on birds in New Jersey
  • programs on environmental issues
  • cleanups in Ocean County
  • scholarships awarded to Ocean County high school seniors ($4,000 over the past four years)

Citizen Science

Our group participates annually in the Christmas Bird Count (CBC), which is sponsored by the National Audubon Society. The CBC provides data about the health and well-being of our bird populations. Over the past few years our Tuckerton CBC averages around 96 different species within our circle.

Visit our Friends in SOBG Facebook group and Instagram accounts.

   

Click here for a map of the best birding locations in Ocean County and here for a printable version.