Pelicans in New Jersey in September
Yes, September is a good month to see pelicans in New Jersey. It is the 5th busiest month of the year, with 33 of the 307 sightings logged across the year (10.7%), 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.
Good month for pelicans in New Jersey
10.7%
of yearly sightings
33
records in September
#5
busiest month of 12
307
verified records a year
August 21.8%, September 10.7%, October 20.2%. 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, September carries 10.7% of the year's pelicans sightings, about 2.4 points above an even month-to-month split. That makes it the 5th busiest of the twelve months, out of 11 months with recorded activity.
Activity is easing off from August (21.8%) into September, and it heads toward October (20.2%) after. The busiest month is August (21.8%), so if timing is flexible, that window is the safer bet.
The pelicans most often recorded in New Jersey are Brown Pelican and American White Pelican. Those counts are annual totals rather than a September split, so treat them as which species you are likely to encounter, while the month figures above show how many sightings fall in September 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.
Booking.com
Stay nearbyStay near Appalachian National Scenic Trail
Compare hotels, cabins and lodges close to the best pelican viewing area in New Jersey.
Viator
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 September?+
Yes. September accounts for 33 of the 307 verified pelicans sightings logged in New Jersey across the year, which is 10.7% of the annual total.
Is September a good time to see pelicans in New Jersey?+
September is the 5th busiest month. It is workable, though August and October is the stronger window for a reliable sighting.
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