About the Club

Mission Statement

The Carolina Bird Club is a non-profit organization that represents and supports the birding community in the Carolinas through its website, publications, meetings, workshops, trips, and partnerships, whose mission is


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The Carolina Bird Club, Inc., is a non-profit educational and scientific association open to anyone interested in the study and conservation of wildlife, particularly birds.

The Club meets each winter, spring, and fall at different locations in the Carolinas. Meeting sites are selected to give participants an opportunity to see many different kinds of birds. Guided field trips and informative programs are combined for an exciting weekend of meeting with people who share an enthusiasm and concern for birds.

The Club offers research grants in avian biology for undergraduate and graduate students, and scholarships for young birders.

The Club publishes two print publications (now also available online). The Chat is a quarterly ornithological journal that contains scientific articles, reports of bird records committees and bird counts, and general field notes on bird sightings. CBC Newsletter is published bimonthly and includes birding articles and information about meetings, field trips, and Club news.

The Club provides this website to all for free.

By becoming a member, you support the activities of the Club, receive reduced registration fee for meetings, can participate in bonus field trips, and receive our publications.

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Other Resources (NOT sponsored by Carolina Bird Club)



CBC Outer Banks Trip December 14–15, 2024

With Susan Campbell and Steve Shultz

Widely considered at the top of the list for early winter birding sites in North Carolina, the Outer Banks of Dare County are home to thousands of wintering swans, ducks, geese, shorebirds, waders, gulls, and more. Join members of the Carolina Bird Club as we explore the Bodie Island lighthouse area, Oregon Inlet, Pea Island NWR, the ocean beaches of Hatteras and Bodie Islands and other "hotspots".

The trip will focus on waterfowl and shorebird identification as well as building a broad trip list including everything from grebes to sparrows. The trip starts Saturday, December 14, at 7:30 a.m. in the parking lot the south end of the new Basnight Bridge over Oregon Inlet. Saturday will be devoted to birding along the immediate coast. Sunday will include a stop at Alligator River NWR.

Detailed information including directions, lodging choices, dining opportunities and more will be provided to registrants. Birds that you can expect to see include loons, numbers of Tundra Swans and Snow Geese, most of the dabbling ducks that winter in eastern North Carolina, chances to see sea ducks including all three American scoters, gulls, wintering passerines, and winter shorebirds including American Avocet, Purple Sandpiper, and Long-billed Dowitcher. Alligator River NWR may provide an opportunity to see black bear, raptors, shorebirds (if water levels are right) and numbers of Tundra Swan and waterfowl.

Logistics: The fee for this field trip is $75 and advance registration is required. Participation is limited to 12. Participants are responsible for lodging and meals. A number of motels, hotels, and other lodging are available in Nags Head north through Kitty Hawk. We will attempt to carpool in order to reduce the number of vehicles caravanning to the birding sites. Spotting scopes are useful if you have one. Dress for the weather and in layers. If we are enjoying a warm early winter, mosquito repellant may be useful. Lunch on Saturday will likely either be at a seafood restaurant or Subway. If you prefer, bring a bag lunch. A variety of restaurants are open for Saturday dinner.

This trip involves multiple consecutive hours of standing, walking on uneven or sandy surfaces, and extended exposure to the elements. I would describe the trip as "moderate" from a physical activity perspective.

To register for this field trip contact Steve Shultz via email or (919) 629-7226. Upon confirmation of your slot on the trip you will be sent a registration form/waiver that can be submitted with your trip fee. Note that there is a modest fee to walk out on Jennette's Pier.