Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge
Nags Head, NC
Be sure to check out the upcoming Wings Over Water Festival.
Pea Island NWR is one of the premier birding destinations in the Outer Banks of North Carolina. With over 5,000 land acres and 25,000 acres of boundary waters, the wildlife refuge is full of places to explore. The main attractions are the impoundments/ponds which cover 940 acres. These impoundments offer close-up views of terns, waders, and waterfowl. The marshes on the property are also brimming with birds. During the summer, look for King and Clapper Rails, and Seaside Sparrows. In the winter, look for dabbling ducks, Nelson’s and Saltmarsh Sparrows, and if you are really lucky, Black and Yellow Rails.
Specialty Species:
- Great Cormorant(Winter)
Dabbling Ducks(Winter)- Eurasian Wigeon (Winter)
Diving Ducks(Winter)
Geese (Winter)
Swans (Winter)
Waders (Year-round)
Shorebirds- American Avocet (Year-round)
- Whimbrel (Spring, Summer)
- Purple Sandpiper (Winter)
- Piping Plover (Summer)
- Marbled Godwit (Year-round)
- Black-bellied Plover (Year-round)
Saltmarsh and Nelson’s Sparrow (Winter)
Seaside Sparrow (Year-round)
Terns- Least (Spring, Summer)
- Black (Summer)
- Royal (Spring, Summer, Fall)
- Forester’s (Year-round)
- Common (Spring, Summer, Fall)
- Gull-billed (Spring, Summer)
- Caspian (Fall)
- Sandwich (Spring, Summer, Fall)
- Roseate (Summer, Fall)
- Black Skimmer (Summer, Fall)
Rails- Clapper (Year-round)
- Virginia (Year-round)
- Sora (Winter)
- Yellow (Winter)
- Black (Winter)
Northern Gannet (Winter)
Shiny Cowbird (Summer)
American White Pelican (Winter)
Western Kingbird (Winter)
Where to Bird:
- North Pond Wildlife Trail
- Walking trail around North Pond
- The Beach
- Salt Flats Wildlife Trail
- Oregon Inlet
- New Field Pond
- South Pond
The main draw at Pea Island NWR is the fall and winter waterfowl numbers. Nearly every species of waterfowl that commonly occurs in the Eastern United States visits this property at one time or another throughout the year with most of them occurring in the fall and winter months. In addition to the common species, there is always the potential to find a rarity mixed in. Eurasian Wigeons are found with some regularity and there is always the possibility of finding a Harlequin Duck, Common or King Eider, or Long-tailed Duck. In order to find the largest possible number of species, you must visit multiple locations around the property as some species prefer certain habitats. Be sure to check the ponds, the beach, and the inlet.
After stopping at the visitor center to pick up some maps and other information, walk across the parking lot to the North Pond Wildlife Trail. This ½ mile trail has 3 viewing platforms and offers views of a wide variety of species. Throughout the year numerous shorebird species can be seen in this area including Black-necked Stilt, American Avocet, Marbled Godwit, and many others. Keep in mind that the species diversity of shorebirds does change with season. In the summer, look for all the regularly occurring herons, egrets, terns, and White and Glossy Ibis.
At the end of the trail, you can either turn around and head back to the Visitor Center or continue on the service road around North Pond. This road continues all the way around the North Pond and ends at the Visitor Center 4 miles later. We do not recommend hiking all the way around this trail as the final 1.5 miles are along NC-12 and it is not a safe place to walk. If you do choose to hike on this trail for a ways, you can expect many of the same birds as you saw along the North Pond Wildlife Trail. In addition to those species, you may find rails and other marsh birds on the west side of the trail.
After returning to the Visitor Center, you can walk across the road and scan the beach. The whole beach is open for hiking and you can sometimes find many shorebirds and terns by walking along the beach. Piping Plovers also nest on the beach. Then, return to your car and drive north for 1.5 miles and turn left into the parking area for the Salt Flats Nature Trail. You will again see many of the same species as on the North Pond Wildlife Trail and in fact the Pond to the south is still the North Pond. The area to the north of the trail is one of the best areas in the refuge to find Seaside Sparrows.
After returning to your car continue north on NC-12 for 2.40 miles. Turn right into the parking area. Here you can walk on the beach and also scan Oregon Inlet. It’s always worth a quick scan especially during the winter when sea ducks may be present such as all three scoters, Harlequin Duck, and Common and King Eider.
Two other places that are sometimes worth checking are New Field Pond and South Pond. Both ponds are closed to all entry but can be viewed from the road. If you choose to view these ponds be careful as you pull off the road and when you are out of your car. We do not recommend stopping in these areas during heavy traffic, especially on Saturdays during the summer.Hours:
Dawn to Dusk
Fees:
None
Accessiblity:
Both North Pond and Salt Flats Wildlife Trails and the Visitor Center are handicap accessible. Other areas are not accessible.
Trails:
There are many opportunities for hiking at Pea Island. You can take a 4 mile hike around North Pond or hike the miles of Atlantic coastline.
Non-birding Equipment Needed:
- Insect Repellant
- Sunscreen
Lenght of Visit:
Half or full day visit is recommended
Map:
Website:
Directions:
From the North: From the intersection of US-64 and NC-12 in Nags Head, take NC-12 South. After crossing over the Oregon Inlet Bridge, you are in the Refuge. The Visitor Center is located 4.1 miles past the bridge.
From the South: From the Hatteras Ferry Terminal, go North on NC-12. The Visitor Center will be on the left after 43.9 miles.Address:
None Available
Nearby Birding:
Hatteras National Seashore
Bodie Island Lighthouse
Pelagic Trips out of Oregon Inset
Pelagic Trips out of Hatteras