Saw-whet owls, long-eared owls, and barn owls use New Jersey’s coast as a migration path throughout October and November, and Cape May is a popular place for them to rest before crossing the Delaware Bay. During the day, these nocturnal travelers roost in the camouflage of trees and shrubs, and when night falls, they continue southward, masked by the darkness. In the spring, they return to their northern breeding grounds, although the spring migration is not as concentrated. These birds need many different habitats, including forested areas for roosting and low grassy wetlands for hunting, and preserving New Jersey’s coastal habitats will help ensure the future of native owls.