Field Trip Schedule and Descriptions

Field Trip Descriptions

Half-day trips

Trip 1 – Palmetto Peartree Preserve & Futch Game Lands

We will look among the possible seven species of woodpeckers for the endangered Red-cockaded Woodpecker. During our search we should see a good assortment of woodland and edge species. After birding here, the group will travel to the Futch Game Lands where the flooded fields and catfish ponds hold ducks as well as other water birds and shorebirds.

Approximate Travel Time: 1 hour

Conditions: Vary from uneven trails to roadside surfaces. There is a service Station at Mann's Harbor; otherwise, plan on no restrooms.

Trips 2, 21 & 29 – Audubon Pine Island Sanctuary & Duck Boardwalk

Audubon Preserve is a remnant of maritime sandy forest and brush along Currituck Sound. The varied habitats and boardwalk will provide opportunity for land and water birds, and raptors are often identified as they hunt over the woodlands. Duck Town Boardwalk is a 0.4-mile gem. We will scope the sound for loons and ducks. Orange-crowned Warbler is often found along the boardwalk as well as winter sparrows.

Approximate Travel Time: 45 minutes to Pine Island

Conditions: Vary from wet turf to gravelly trails to a boardwalk. Restrooms are available at Duck.

Trip 3 & 22 – Alligator River NWR (Rt. 264 Corridor to Milltail Road)

The east side of ARNWR has woodland but also many wet fields. We will travel Rt. 264 as far as Stumpy Point Bay, targeting Pamlico Sound waterbirds. Then the drive will go west into ARNWR to Milltail Road's boat ramp area seeking woodland species, and finishing at the fields across from the Maintenance Buildings or the trail at the Rt. 64 intersection. Uncommon birds in the area have included Golden Eagle and Rough-legged Hawk.

Approximate Travel Time: 40 minutes

Conditions: Gravel roads. Restroom options will be quite limited.

Trip 4 – Corolla Escapade (A Handicap Accessible Trip)

Four HC accessible trips are scheduled this weekend, and several other of our trips are partially HC accessible. There should be space available for non-HC attendees – same great birding but with good footing. This trip will visit both public and privately-owned boardwalks to Currituck Sound at Currituck Banks Forest Trail Preserve, the OBX Center for Wildlife Education and Duck Town Boardwalk.

Approximate Travel Time: 1 hour

Conditions: Boardwalks. Restrooms will be at Duck only, or a stop at a service station.

Trips 5 & 24 – Pea Island NWR Visitors Center and Southside Dike

In the morning the pond behind the PI Visitors Center is lit by the rising sun. Resting and actively feeding birds are in the best direction for viewing field ID clues. The adjacent dike affords views of North Pond and Newfield Pond, capped by a two-story platform that also overlooks the inland waters and marsh.

Approximate Travel Time: 40 minutes to the Visitors Center

Conditions: Wide grassy trail to the viewing platform. Restroom at the Visitor's Center

Trips 6, 27 & 36 – Jennette's Pier (Nags Head) Ocean Watch. ($3 entry fee)

A scope is essential on this trip to scan the Atlantic for the winter nearshore birds and occasional pelagic species that feast on the bounty of the ocean. If you don't have a scope, there should be plenty in the group. Your leader will scan the ocean with you as you watch the action for loons, grebes, scoters Razorbills, Gannets, sea ducks, gulls, and hopefully a Dovekie or shearwaters.

Approximate Travel Time: 15 minutes

Conditions: Boardwalk. Restroom in the Pier Entry Building.

Trip 7 – Waterfowl ID Workshop/Field ID

This workshop will focus on key characteristics, such as profile, foraging behaviors, and habitat. The leader will provide clues to field ID features or activity which can aid birders on all levels to describe a species. The field trip location(s) will be as determined by the leader.

Approximate Travel Time: TBD

Trips 8, 12, 25 & 33 – Oregon Inlet and Bodie Light

It seems every winter an unexpected bird spends the season in the dunes overlooking the ocean on the south side of Oregon Inlet. The local Peregrine Falcon never reveals its nighttime roost, but who looks for it at those hours? On the north side of the bridge is the Oregon Inlet Fishing Center, where we will scope the inlet for Long-tailed Duck and other diving ducks. We'll continue on to Bodie Lighthouse Pond where we will scope for waterfowl, shorebirds, and waders from the observation platform. The boardwalk to the platform traverses marsh that is good for rails and marsh wrens. The platform is the last stop as the evening light can be spectacular on the waterfowl.

Approximate Travel Time: 30 minutes to Oregon Inlet

Conditions: Sand paths on the south side of Oregon Inlet, pavement on the north side and where a restroom is available. A restroom is also located at the Lighthouse.

Trip 9 – Nags Head Woods Preserve & Jennette's Pier Escapade (HC Accessible Trip)

The forested sandy dunes of the Nature Conservancy's Nags Head Woods Preserve are home to woodland species, some of which curtail migration for the warmer zone of the OBX. Their Handicap Accessible Trail offers opportunity for chair users and other participants, to search for birds in mixed foraging flocks. See Trip 6 for a description of Jennette's Pier. ($3 fee to the pier)

Approximate Travel Time: 10 minutes to Nags Head Woods

Conditions: Packed trail and boardwalks. A restroom is in the Pier Access Building.

Trip 10 – Kitty Hawk Woods Coastal Reserve area & Kitty Hawk Pier ($3 Entry Fee)

Several protected woodlands at Kitty Hawk will provide opportunity for wintering land birds. An Albemarle Sound view stop is planned and special permission has been acquired with the Pier at the Hilton Garden Inn at Kitty Hawk for ocean viewing. This final stop will fully and truly round out the birding opportunities. If access is unavailable at the pier due to hotel events, the Regional Beach Access will be used.

Approximate Travel Time: 20 minutes

Conditions: The pier or Beach Access has a restroom.

Trips 11 & 34 – Pea Island NWR North Pond and Visitor's Center

North Pond is open to the public all year. Simply enjoy the thousands of ducks and other water birds. Know we have a great opportunity to be a part of yet another tour to see the expected and unexpected at PINWR. A stop in the Oregon Inlet area may be included as time permits.

Approximate Travel Time: 30 minutes

Conditions: Easy going, wide, flat trails with impoundment overlooks. Restrooms located on site.

Trip 13 – Roanoke Island Marshes & Wanchese Harbor and Marshes

Habitats will include woodland edges for winter land species and marsh birding and water views over the sound. We will tailor the visit based on local observations but will likely start at the Roanoke Marshes Game Lands in search of species such as Marsh Wren, Seaside Sparrow, and Clapper and Virginia Rails. The impoundment should hold a few shorebirds and waterfowl. Then we will stop by the harbor in Wanchese Village and scan the surrounding water and marina, interesting for the numerous gulls and land birds that roam about oyster piles. Just south of the harbor is a road across the marsh ending at the sound.

Approximate Travel Time: 25 min.

Conditions: Grassy trails at the Roanoke Marshes to gravelly roads around the harbor. Use service stations for a restroom.

Trip 14 & 31 – Alligator River NWR (Buffalo City Road to Milltail Road)

Alligator River NWR holds miles of huge impoundments with THOUSANDS of ducks, and often shorebirds. The trail at the end of Buffalo Road affords opportunity for land birds easily missed with so many flooded impoundments demanding viewer attention. The Buffalo Soldiers during the civil war resided here, the source of the namesake. Not a part of the tour is an option to stay in the refuge at dusk after the tour at the intersection of Sawyer Lake Road and Milltail Road, the place to be for Shorteared Owl, Red Wolf and Black Bear.

Approximate Travel Time: 35 minutes

Conditions: Gravel roads. Restrooms are limited. There is a waterless toilet at the entrance to ARNWR (Rt. 64 at Milltail Rd.)

Trip 15 – Rodanthe Big Yard Birding

Join hostess Karen Lebing for a tour of her property on Pamlico Sound in Rodanthe. Gerry and Karen have observed 253 species to-date (most recent being Long-billed Curlew) on their two acres of heaven. From shrubby edge habitat to brackish marsh and open water, the birding potential on an afternoon is this spot is very good. Their feeder array (that includes sugar water for hummers) alone is a big draw in this very special Outer Banks backyard. Do not forget your camera if you decide to sign up for this unique experience!

Approximate Travel Time: 30 minutes

Conditions: Easy walking on mostly flat terrain. There is a long boardwalk out into the marsh. Restrooms are on site as well as at neighborhood convenience store.

Trip 16 – Jockey's Ridge State Park

Join a NC State Park Ranger to learn about this jewel of a park located adjacent to the famous Wright Brothers Memorial. Walk the trails in search of local flora and fauna associated with a variety of coastal habitat. Also, participants will be exposed to some of the rich human history associated with this part of the Outer Banks.

Approximate travel time: 10 minutes

Conditions: Moderate. Most of the trip will be hiking on well-defined trails, but the group will also encounter loose sand and some hilly terrain. Restrooms can be found on site at the park.

Trip 23 – Duck Town Boardwalk and Kitty Hawk Pier Escapade (HC Accessible Trip),

The almost half-mile boardwalk at Duck is a viewing platform for both wintering landbirds and waterbirds. It is located along a brushy shoreline and Currituck Sound. As time permits other Currituck Sound view locations may be included. The trip also includes the great opportunity granted to CBC for ocean viewing at the Hilton Garden Inn Pier ($3 fee). Scopes are the best tool for this last stop. If the pier is closed due to an event at the hotel the nearby Regional Beach Access will be our site for ocean viewing.

Approximate Travel Time: 35 minutes to Duck

Conditions: Boardwalks. Restrooms will be at both sites.

Trip 26 – Northern Roanoke Island – Fort Raleigh Area

The northern area of Roanoke Island has several birding sites visited by the locals. Habitats range from manicured turf to woodlands and Albemarle Sound viewing. If Elizabethan Gardens is used by the leader, a fee is required ($8). The trip may go as far south as the Roanoke Island Marshes.

Approximate Travel Time: 25 min.

Conditions: Maintained trails vary. Restrooms will be available, either onsite or at a nearby service station.

Trip 28 – Split Pea Sojourn

We will walk the saltmarsh at the site of an old inlet on Hatteras Island, looking for bitterns, rails, Marsh and Sedge Wren, and the “maritime sparrows” - Saltmarsh, Nelson's, and Seaside. Shorebirds and waders may be found as well. *Note: In case of high wind, we will instead visit nearby hotspots, as wind makes viewing the marsh birds difficult.

Approximate Travel Time: 45 minutes

Conditions: This is a strenuous trip that requires some wading in up to six inches of water, so bring appropriate footwear. Closest restrooms are located at the Pea Island NWR Visitor's Center, approximately two miles to the north.

Trip 30 – Futch Gamelands & River Road (ARNWR)

There are hundreds of acres of impoundments at the Futch Game Lands. Ducks move about the artificially flooded cells of ag lands. Shorebirds and marsh sparrows round out the impoundment birds and brushy woodland edges offer a variety of passerines. River Road can be a bonanza when rains flood the field.

Approximate Travel Time: 45 minutes to the Game Lands

Conditions: Gravelly roads and grassy paths along dikes. Plan on no facilities available (restrooms, food, etc.) available.

Trip 32 – Pea Island NWR Visitor's Center and Bodie Light Boardwalk Escapade (HC Accessible)

The PI Visitors Center viewing windows and area within the parking lot offer excellent birding on North Pond, especially for ducks, with chances for Brown and White Pelicans a distinct possibility. We will then travel to the boardwalk at Bodie Island Lighthouse where we will scope for waterfowl, shorebirds, and waders from the lower portion of the observation platform. The boardwalk to the platform cuts through marsh that is excellent for rails and marsh wrens. The platform is the last stop as evening light can be spectacular on the waterfowl.

Approximate Travel Time: 35 minutes to PINWR

Conditions: A restroom is available at both sites.

Trip 35 – Photo Workshop.

This is an opportunity to glean tips that will help you hone your skills in the field. It is an afternoon trip so should afford excellent light conditions. Bird with your lens and binoculars.

Approximate Travel Time: TBD

Conditions: Sites will be selected by the leader.

Trip 41 – Alligator River NWR for uncommon/rarities seen

Details TBA at Saturday evening program.

Trip 42 – Pea Island area for uncommon/rarities seen

Details TBA at Saturday evening program.

Full-day trips

Trips 17 & 37 – Lake Pungo and Phelps. (Pocosin Lakes NWR).

Pocosin Lakes is famous for huge flocks of wintering Snow Geese lifting off at sunrise, a spectacle in itself. We will look through flocks of blackbirds with hopes of spotting a Yellow-headed Blackbird. Overhead, we'll keep an eye out for Golden Eagles, as this is one of the most reliable spots in the state for these awesome birds. Other possibilities include waterfowl species, and farm-field and edge species such as sparrows, pipits and Horned Larks. There is a lot of territory to cover on this trip with potential side trips on the way back in the Mattamuskeet NWR area.

Approximate Travel Time: 1.5 hours

Conditions: Roads, boardwalks and dirt paths. Restroom sites will not be available.

Trips 18 & 38 – Mattamuskeet NWR.

A birder's paradise, Mattamuskeet can be incredible. We will bird the Lake Landing area for waterfowl, shorebirds and waders, sorting through the more common species and hoping for something rare. We will also bird along the causeway, famous for its overwintering passerines, and at other sections of the refuge where passerine habitat abounds. The entrance road follows the main viewing impoundment.

Approximate Travel Time: 1 hour 30 minutes

Conditions: Restroom at the Swan Quarter parking area, Lake Landing and in the Refuge Visitors Center in the center of the main part of the refuge.

Trip 19 – Fort Raleigh to Wanchese

This is the all-day trip to discover the many hotspots on the north end of Roanoke Island and have adequate time to search the Roanoke Marshes and the marshes at Wanchese.

Approximate Travel Time: 25 min.

Conditions: Maintained trails vary. Restrooms will be available, either onsite or at a nearby service station.

Trips 20 & 40 – Pea Island NWR (North Pond to Split Pea Bridge)

As part of an all-day trip, you will have more valuable time to scan the area habitats and increase those chances for life birds, or to study the posture and feeding habits that are guides to shorebird ID. The trip also goes south of the Visitors Center to the Newfield Platform (NOT the dike) and the Oceanview Trail for pelagic species hopefully near shore, and may possibly travel further south to the marsh area at Split Pea Bridge. A stop at Oregon Inlet will be considered dependent upon time. DO NOT WALK THE DIKE BEYOND THE NEWFIELD PLATFORM.

Approximate Travel Time: 35 minutes

Conditions: Sandy road shoulders and path to the ocean, grassy trails. Restrooms will be available at Oregon Inlet and the PINWR Visitor's Center.

Trip 39 – Hatteras Point & Hatteras Island,

A full day that just has – well – promise. We will bird the Point Campground, the Salt Pond and the beach, sorting through the gull flocks in search of Thayer's, Iceland, Glaucous and California Gulls. Lesser Black-backed Gulls should be common. We will scan the ocean for alcids or other rarities. The salt pond usually hosts good populations of birds. Snow Buntings, Horned Larks and a Sprague's Pipit may be present. Your leader may plan a stop at a local woodland area or some side trips on the way back depending on what has been seen that morning at points north. Please note: Depending on the weather conditions, we may be walking the sandy beach to Hatteras Point, about two miles round trip.

Approximate Travel Time: 90 minutes

Conditions: Moderate to strenuous. We will be exposed to the elements on the beach so dress accordingly. Restrooms will be available at the lighthouse Visitor's Center and neighborhood convenience stores.