Sanderlings in motion on the Outer Banks Pea Island (from the Old English sand-yroling “sand-ploughman”)
The Outer Banks is perfect for wintering birds, “snowbirds” leave the severe snow in the north and migrate south to these temperate barrier islands.
The Outer Banks is a long strip of land sandwiched between water, so it’s only natural that birds of a feather would flock together here. Our sounds, creeks and ponds typically won’t freeze up like conditions in the frigid north, which is very inviting to a plethora of waterfowl and migrating birds.
When birding the term to look for to find the gaggles of geese is an “impoundment.” This is an artificially constructed (i.e. man-made) reservoir or body of water for a purpose, and in this case to assist migratory waterfowl. See the history of the Pea Island NWR impoundments here.
Some of the more commonly seen birds you may see on Pea Island NWR:
- American Avocet
- American Coot
- American Kestral
- American Oystercatcher
- American Widgeon
- Black-bellied Plover
- Black-necked Stilt
- American Black Duck
- Black Skimmer
- Brown Pelican
- Bufflehead
- Canada Geese
- Canvasback
- Eurasian Widgeon
- gadwall
- Great Blue Heron
- Great Egret
- Green-winged Teal
- Least Tern
- Northern Harrier
- Northern Pintail
- Mallard
- Osprey
- Peregrine Falcon
- Piping Plover
- Redhead
- Ruddy
- Semipalmated Plover
- Semipalmated Sandpiper
- Snow Goose
- Snowy Egret
- Tri-colored Heron
- Tundra Swan
- Whimbrel
- Willet
The occasional Snowy Owl spotted in Hatteras causes quite a stir on social media. Some of the other rarer sightings on the Outer Banks include:
A male Harlequin Duck near the Oregon Inlet, a male Cinnamon Teal and Golden Eagles near Alligator River NWR, a Black Guillemot seen from Jennette’s Pier, Razorbills, Dovekies and a Common Murre (which is not very common here) were spotted on a pelagic birding trip. Red-neck Grebe in a salt pond at Cape Point and also at Coquina Beach. We have an opportunity to see beautiful migratory birds all over these Outer Banks.
Did you know sandpipers in the genus Calidris are often called “peeps”?
Be sure to stop in at the National Wildlife Refuges Visitor Center on Roanoke Island. There are 35 acres to explore, with 4 walking trails ranging from .12 to .66 mile. You’ll love the interactive exhibits inside the Visitor Center. They even host the annual and very educational Wings Over Water Wildlife Festival.
Tundra Swans are big and beautiful and winter at the Mattamuskeet NWR and surrounding areas
Tundra swans are on of our favorite migratory visitors, they breed in the high tundra and migrate south during the winter to take advantage of the abundant food sources on the refuge and the surrounding agricultural areas. They begin to arrive in large numbers after the full moon in November.
If you are working on your life-list, then you may also want to check out Lake Mattamuskeet National Wildlife Refuge, as it is also a great winter birding destination.
The FWS website states:
“December through February is an exciting time at the refuge. Thousands of green-winged teal, American widgeon, black ducks, northern pintails, American coots, northern shovelers, ring-necked ducks, and tundra swans make the Mattamuskeet moist soil management units and Lake Mattamuskeet their winter home. Dabbling ducks and tundra swans harvest seed from the bottoms of moist soil management units; geese and swans glean grain from crop fields. Overwintering songbirds eat seed from native shrubs, wildflowers, and grasses. Great blue herons, American egrets, and snowy egrets are also among the cold weather sights. Black bears lumber through the farm fields scavenging grain left by farmers; white-tailed deer browse on twigs and bark.
Waterfowl hunts occur in December and January. Visitors may drive or hike throughout the refuge areas not closed for wintering waterfowl. The refuge’s visitor center provides opportunities for the public to learn about the refuge and its wildlife and habitats.”
Jeff Lewis shares in Winter Brings Range of Birds to Outer Banks in the Outer Banks Voice, that
“The vegetation along the water’s edge holds a good variety of song birds each winter. This is easily the best spot in the area for wintering warblers. Orange-crowned and palm warblers are easy and there are usually several more species available for the hard-working birder. It is not unusual to find 10 warbler species during the annual Christmas bird count in late December. Blue-gray gnatcatchers and Baltimore orioles are usually present, as well.”
Other very honorable mentions for your consideration:
Mackay Island – It is located almost entirely on Knotts Island in the Currituck Sound between Back Bay in Virginia Beach, Virginia and the open sound in North Carolina. Mackay Island National Wildlife Refuge serves as an inviolate sanctuary for migratory birds and to protect natural resources.
Pocosin Lakes NWR – The refuge is located in northeastern North Carolina (inner banks), and stretches through Hyde, Tyrrell, and Washington Counties. Pocosin Lakes NWR encompasses 110,106 acres. It is also home to American black bears, with the Pungo unit hosting one of the densest populations.
Alligator River NWR – Alligator River is a small river in eastern North Carolina, separating Dare County and Tyrrell County. It empties into Albemarle Sound. The refuge includes more than 154,000 wildlife acres of wetland habitats and a wide variety of wildlife, ranging from wood ducks and alligators to black bears and red wolves.
More about birding
A “raft” is a term used for a group of ducks on the water as opposed to flying. The Outer Banks is part of the “Atlantic Flyway” which is a bird migration path that traces the Atlantic Coast to the Appalachian Mountains. When you go, be sure to bring scopes, camera and field guides.
There are also apps that will help you identify birds, like the Merlin Bird ID Wizard. And if you find yourself our birding, or just out and about sightseeing on the Outer Banks, consider making some notations of the birds you see and entering them in Audubon’s Christmas Bird Count.