Pelicans in New Jersey in October
Yes, October is one of the best months to see pelicans in New Jersey. It is the 2nd busiest month of the year, with 62 of the 307 sightings logged across the year (20.2%), based on verified iNaturalist records.
By Tim, founder of Easy Street Markets. I maintain the wildlife database and verify every animal and source myself. Updated June 28, 2026.
Peak month for pelicans in New Jersey
20.2%
of yearly sightings
62
records in October
#2
busiest month of 12
307
verified records a year
September 10.7%, October 20.2%, November 6.2%. Busiest month is August at 21.8%.
307 verified observations of pelicans in New Jersey, recorded across 11 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When pelicans are recorded in New Jersey
Peak month
August
67 records (21.8% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 2 | 0.7% |
| February | 0 | 0% |
| March | 3 | 1% |
| April | 11 | 3.6% |
| May | 30 | 9.8% |
| Junepeak | 38 | 12.4% |
| July | 33 | 10.7% |
| Augustpeak | 67 | 21.8% |
| September | 33 | 10.7% |
| Octoberpeak | 62 | 20.2% |
| November | 19 | 6.2% |
| December | 9 | 2.9% |
Pelicans you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Brown Pelican | 250 |
| American White Pelican | 55 |
In New Jersey, October carries 20.2% of the year's pelicans sightings, about 11.9 points above an even month-to-month split. That makes it the 2nd busiest of the twelve months, out of 11 months with recorded activity.
Activity is rising from September (10.7%) into October, and it heads toward November (6.2%) after. This is right inside the peak window, so October is one of the surest months to plan a trip around.
The pelicans most often recorded in New Jersey are Brown Pelican and American White Pelican. Those counts are annual totals rather than a October split, so treat them as which species you are likely to encounter, while the month figures above show how many sightings fall in October itself.
Which pelicans you are most likely to see
- Brown Pelican250 records
- American White Pelican55 records
Plan your pelican trip in New Jersey
Start with live tours near Appalachian National Scenic Trail, then compare a nearby stay and a broader wildlife backup before you lock in the trip.
GetYourGuide
Live tours nearbySee live tours near Appalachian National Scenic Trail
Use the live GetYourGuide widget to compare local departures and activity styles close to the main pelican viewing area.
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Stay nearbyStay near Appalachian National Scenic Trail
Compare hotels, cabins and lodges close to the best pelican viewing area in New Jersey.
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Broader backupBook a pelican tour in New Jersey
Compare guided wildlife tours, boat trips and nature experiences if you want a second travel network beyond the live widget.
Frequently asked questions
Can you see pelicans in New Jersey in October?+
Yes. October accounts for 62 of the 307 verified pelicans sightings logged in New Jersey across the year, which is 20.2% of the annual total.
Is October a good time to see pelicans in New Jersey?+
October is one of the best months. It ranks 2nd of the year and sits inside the peak window of August, October and June.
What month is best for pelicans in New Jersey?+
August is the single busiest month, with the broader peak running through August, October and June, based on 307 verified observations.
Which pelicans are you most likely to see in New Jersey?+
The most-recorded species in New Jersey are Brown Pelican and American White Pelican, based on all-time iNaturalist counts.
See pelicans in New Jersey in other months
More places to see pelicans
More wildlife in New Jersey