With the beach’s alternating marsh-beach environments and array of nature preserves, you’ll find plenty of opportunities for birding. Outer Banks birding can be enjoyed as you tour Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge, Pine Island Sanctuary and Center, Jockey’s Ridge State Park, Nags Head Woods Preserve, Kitty Hawk Woods, Buxton Woods, Springer’s Point and other Outer Banks nature reserves and trails. As you explore these parks and preserves, you’ll get to see a diverse population of birds interacting in their natural habitat. Another way to experience Outer Banks birding is to do so from the water. Some charter fishing boats offer alternative trips that can help you and your crew find birds you have a better chance of seeing on the water as opposed to on land. In July and August on Roanoke Island at the old Manns Harbor bridge, you can witness one of the Seven Wonders of the Outer Banks when thousands upon thousands of purple martins take flight in one huge swoosh at sunrise then return in the same way at sunset. It’s a sight you’ll never forget. Whether you want to spend the day searching for native species of birds or prefer to spot one of two while doing other activities, check out the listings below to see where will help you add that 100th specie of bird to your birding journal.
Outer Banks Things To Do by Area
Corolla | Duck & Southern Shores | Kitty Hawk, Kill Devil Hills & Nags Head
Roanoke Island & Manteo | Hatteras Island | Ocracoke Island
Outer Banks Things To Do by Category
Run Hill is like a mini Jockey's Ridge. It's an active, migrating dune system just like Jockey's Ridge, but it's much smaller - 123 acres instead of 420....read more
The proximity of the Gulf Stream, Continental Shelf and Labrador Current make Cape Hatteras a dynamic environment that attracts a plethora of sea birds....read more
Springer’s Point covers about 120 acres of maritime forest, tidal red cedar forest, salt marsh, wet grasslands and soundfront beach bordering Pamlico Sound...read more
Wings Over Water Wildlife Festival is an annual six-day celebration devoted to celebrating the wild side of the Outer Banks and the surrounding region. Held...read more