When the Cape May Bird Observatory was founded in 1976 as a center dedicated to the research of bird migration, primarily raptors, there was no official “brick and mortar” facility to call home. To partially remedy that situation, the sun porch of Anne Ardrey Northwood’s (1910-1990) home along East Lake Drive in Cape May Point was rented temporarily as a base of operations, with a small sign out front.
In May 1977, office space became available at the Wetlands Institute in Stone Harbor, but wasn’t convenient for the hub of activity in Cape May Point. A generous offer by Anne to give up three rooms of her home brought the limited observatory staff back to the shores of Lily Lake for good in Spring 1979. A poet, artist, and conservationist, Anne Northwood willed the home and its approximately 3/4-acre lot, which she had shared with her husband d’Arcy Northwood, a former NJA board member, to CMBO when she passed away in January 1990—a move that solidified the future of the observatory in Cape May Point and provided a larger footprint for the center’s needs.
After almost 50 years, the landscape has changed dramatically, both physically and figuratively. From a skeleton staff of two to the eleven program, research, retail and special event staff of today, supplemented by over ten seasonal counters and naturalists each year, CMBO’s reach and impact continue to grow.
CMBO has evolved into a world leader in bird and butterfly research, education and conservation, expanding from the core Cape May Hawkwatch in 1976 to a full suite of watches and citizen science surveys to keep our finger on the pulse of migration. With the addition of the Monarch Monitoring Project in 1990, Avalon Seawatch in 1993, Morning Flight in 2003, Cape May Songbird Stopover Banding Project in 2018 and Springwatch in 2018, CMBO is well positioned to continue its monitoring of bird and Monarch populations and movements and the conservation needs and success stories the data reveals.
Use of the Trektellen software platform for data gathering means our count results are never more than your phone away, livestreaming straight to you while it is happening. Part of an International Friendship Agreement with observatories in Falsterbo, Sweden, Long Point, Canada and Spurn, United Kingdom, CMBO actively shares and improves its methods of operation and understanding through organizational collaboration, including a Young Professionals Exchange program.
Along with hosting major New Jersey Audubon festivals in both spring and fall and the World Series of Birding, CMBO has year-round reach through its over 300 field trips, workshops, Road Scholars groups and Eco-travel tours, relying on an incredible core of volunteers that give generously of their time and knowledge to inspire visitors and residents alike.
Back to the building itself, the increased space allowed for the development of a dedicated retail space, evolving into the leader in birding optics it is today, along with other birding accessories, books, apparel and nature-themed gifts—amplified by the FeatherEdgeOptics online store.
Outside, what had become a property overrun with invasive plants was overhauled in the 2010s, culminating in the Ryan De Witt Memorial Trail—a model habitat that attracts sometimes awe-inspiring numbers of birds, butterflies, moths and pollinators—a restoration success that is a must-see for visitors. With the continued efforts of the De Witt family, the Diane Cornell Wildlife Garden Project and volunteers, the habitat continues to be maintained and improved. Coupled with the information and resources inside, the Northwood Center is the hub of the Cape May birding community.
When you visit the Northwood Center, there is an air of excitement—a buzz in the air that goes above and beyond the birds and insects you’ll encounter. It’s an immersion in nature that creates joy and a sense of well-being.
Importantly, one thing hasn’t changed through the years—the needed support of CMBO and NJA members and visitors. It is this support that has sustained and grown CMBO and the importance of the Northwood Center. We couldn’t do the critical work we do without the volunteer and financial support we receive. We can’t thank you enough for this, whether a long-time/life member, our newest member, or visiting the center for the first time—you are helping us to make a difference for birds and nature!
Cape May Bird Observatory’s Northwood Center in Cape May Point is a special place—come see it for yourself!
THE NORTHWOOD CENTER
701 East Lake Drive
Cape May Point, NJ 082123
609-400-3860
www.birdcapemay.org
