Essential Planning Notes for the Atlantic Beach Meeting!
Many of the planned trips are to sites on the NC Birding
Trail (NCBT) and the site numbers are noted at the
beginning of each trip description. Check the NCBT – Coastal Guide or the
NCBT website for additional site information.
Come prepared for all weather circumstances! Bring
boots, rain gear, hats, gloves and layers for warmth that
can be shed if we luck out with beautiful warm sunny
days we often see in January. Do remember, however,
that our coastal breezes can put a chill in the air even
when the sun is out. Pay careful attention to the clothing
cautions for trips involving boats.
To accommodate boats and tides, some trips depart at
unusual times – read carefully!
Plan to bring food for the all-day trips since some are in
areas without food service (but perhaps you'll find a
local eatery with the best clam chowder on the coast
right at lunch time!) Even the half-day trips are tightly
scheduled, so be prepared with your own food in case
time does not allow a restaurant stop between trips.
All trips will have toilet facilities at some point on the
trip unless noted otherwise but remember many of
these sites are in remote areas so plan accordingly.
All field trips have a participation limit of 15 unless
otherwise noted, so register early to be sure you get
your trips of choice.
All trips will leave from the hotel but may meet the trip
leader at the site – one person will be asked to guide to
the appropriate location. Details will be provided at
registration.
Winter Meeting Field Trip Descriptions
Trips 1, 19 (These trips are full): Bogue Banks – Mid-island Marshes & Maritime Forest
– NC Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores, Roosevelt & Hoop Pole Creek Natural Areas
(NCBT –
East Carteret Group – Sites 1 & 2)
The Aquarium and Roosevelt State Natural Area provide
two walks of interest. The Roosevelt Nature Trail
passes through maritime forest and dunes as it winds
west toward Bogue Sound. This 265-acre maritime
forest is one of the few remaining expanses of maritime
forest on North Carolina's barrier islands. The
0.5-mile Alice Hoffman Nature Trail, which leaves
from behind the Aquarium, extends east in the opposite
direction and passes along the marsh edge, before
entering a forested area. One trail spur extends out to a
brackish pond. From the Aquarium, continue on to the
0.5 mile Hoop Pole Creek trail that follows the creek
out to Bogue Sound, passing through maritime forest
for much of the walk but ending with views of coastal
salt marsh. The interpretive trail guide gives information
about a number of plant species associated with
this type of habitat. On each of these trails, a variety of
songbirds may be found in the wooded areas including
Hermit Thrush, Orange-crowned Warbler, Yellow-rumped
Warbler, and Gray Catbird. Scan the creek
and marsh areas for Northern Harrier, Marsh Wren,
wading birds, and rails.
Trips 2, 7, 20 (These trips are full): Fort Macon State Park
(NCBT –
East Carteret Group – Site 3)
Fort Macon offers opportunities to view a variety of
shorebirds, ocean birds and waterfowl. Winter can be
an especially good season to bird here. Walk the beach
in a wide arc from the sound side around to the southfacing
beach. As the shoreline swings east, it parallels
Beaufort Inlet, with views of Shackleford Banks.
Watch for loons, Red-breasted Merganser, and waterfowl
in the near shore waters. The occasional Harlequin
Duck, Common Eider, or alcid species may be
found in the rough surf around the jetty at the southwest
corner of the point; look for Purple Sandpiper on
the jetty rocks. Scan the horizon for passing gannets,
scoters and possibly a jaeger. At high tide when the
weather is bad, small flocks of shorebirds may congregate
here; these may include a couple of Wilson's
Plovers. Walk over to the fort and the surrounding forest
and shrub areas to look for songbirds. Spotting
scopes are useful for ocean scanning. Wear appropriate
footwear for beach walking and deep sand.
Trips 3, 18 (Trip 18 is full): Calico Creek Boardwalk
(NCBT –
East Carteret Group – Site 4)
Calico Creek is a nice spot for birding, considering its
relatively urban location in Morehead City. The best
birding opportunities are at low tide, and this trip is
scheduled accordingly. Walking along the boardwalk,
look for migrating shorebirds and wintering waterfowl
including Green-winged Teal, Hooded Merganser, and
Bufflehead. Keep an eye out for the occasional
glimpse of a Clapper Rail amongst the marsh grass.
Other opportunities to view the creek are at the ends of
17, 13, 11, and 7th streets in Morehead City and may
be explored as time allows. No toilet facilities.
Trips 4, 15 (These
trips are full): Cedar Point Tideland Trail & Emerald Isle Woods
(NCBT –
Onslow Bight Group – Sites 3 & 4)
The Cedar Point Tideland Trail provides opportunities
to view salt marsh and upland pine/hardwood associated
bird species. A combination of raised boardwalks
and paths cross the marsh and pine/hardwood communities
as the trail winds along the edge of the White
Oak River estuary. Snags throughout the area offer
good chances to view woodpecker species, including
Red-headed Woodpecker. One short dead-end spur
provides a nice view of the tidal marsh, with opportunities
to view herons, egrets, and Osprey. Continue on
to Emerald Isle Woods, on the south shore of Bogue
Sound where trails wind through both pine woodlands
and maritime forest interspersed with several small
wetlands which may have Wood Duck. A raised
wooden boardwalk snakes across ancient dunes and
offers views of Bogue Sound and the Intra-coastal
Waterway. Extending across broad tidal wetlands, the
boardwalk leads to a floating dock. Scan the wetlands
and shoreline area for terns, shorebirds, wading birds,
and wintering waterfowl.
Trips 5, 13, 17 (Trip 17 is full): Rachel Carson National Estuarine Research Reserve
(NCBT –
East Carteret Group – Site 5)
The Rachel Carson site is a complex of islands across
Taylor's Creek from the Beaufort waterfront. The islands
at the western end of the site - Carrot Island,
Town Marsh, Bird Shoal, and Horse Island - are more
than three miles long and less than a mile wide, covering
2,025 acres. The site is an important wintering area
for Piping Plovers, and occasionally one or two Wilson's
Plovers may overwinter as well. A loop trail
across the island covers a small beach, the western end
of Town Marsh, follows along Taylor's Creek, then
heads through a salt marsh and a break in the shrub
thicket to the top of a sand berm for views of Beaufort
Inlet, Shackleford Banks and mud flats. Time will be
spent exploring the mud flats where a wide variety of
shorebirds often can be seen probing the mud, including
Ruddy Turnstone, Willet, Short-billed Dowitcher,
Sanderling and possibly a Long-billed Curlew. A
spotting scope will be useful for scanning. Wear boots
suitable for wading in ankle deep water. No toilet facilities
on the Reserve.
Cost $13, pay at ferry. Plan to jump from the ferry
into the soft sand of the beach to disembark.
Trips 6, 14 (These
trips are full): North River Farms
This privately owned land is typically quite birdy. Participants
will look for raptors including Bald Eagle,
Peregrine Falcon and Merlin as well as other open
country birds, a variety of sparrows, and maybe a few
marsh birds. Rarities turn up at this site occasionally.
No toilet facilities.
Trips 8, 16 (Trip 16 is full): Taste of the Croatan National Forest Millis & Pringle Roads & Patsy Pond
(NCBT –
Onslow Bight Group – Sites 1 & 2)
Millis and Pringle Roads present some of the best
birding opportunities in the southern portion of the Croatan National Forest. Participants will drive the
dirt roads making frequent stops for birding. With recent
burning in the area, there is the possibility for
both Bachman's and Henslow's Sparrow. A short 0.5
mile hike along a forest service road leads back to the
headwaters of a tributary of the Newport River for forest
species. The Millis Road Savanna makes this road
especially appealing. Red-cockaded Woodpecker can
be found here year round and a walking trail leads past
several cavity trees. Other birds that might be seen include
Red-headed Woodpecker and Brown-headed
Nuthatch. Continue on at the Patsy Pond Nature Trail
which winds through an open woodland of longleaf
pine forest where Red-cockaded Woodpecker can be
found along with Wild Turkey, Red-headed Woodpecker,
Brown-headed Nuthatch, Pine Warbler and
other species. No toilets available.
Trips 9, 21: Cape Lookout & Harkers Island Nature Trail
(NCBT –
East Carteret Group – Sites 6 & 7)
Cape Lookout, on Core Banks, is the southern tip of a
natural barrier island accessible only by boat. The
point of the island includes extensive dune systems
that stretch three miles south of the lighthouse and
then northwest to a dramatic hook. Participants will
take a ferry across to the lighthouse and then hike to
the point while scanning the ocean for pelagic species
as well as exploring the beach, dunes and sound side
marshes for other species. This out and back trip will
allow participants flexibility in the distance they chose
to walk. Returning to the mainland, the ferry will
swing by Shackleford Banks in hopes of seeing Longbilled
Curlew and Reddish Egret, specialties occasionally
seen at this location. After returning from Cape
Lookout, participants will take a quick visit to the
Harkers Island Nature Trail. This trail leads through
pine stands and maritime forest for a chance to see
songbirds, and the salt marsh may provide additional
species of wintering waterfowl. With many diverse
habitats, this challenging trip is sure to hold some surprises
for the intrepid explorer!
Cost $20, pay at ferry. Be prepared for salt spray
and low wind chill values. To reach the point, plan
to walk about three miles through sand. Shallow
water may be encountered to fully explore the
point and sound side marshes. Bring food and water.
A spotting scope will be useful for scanning the
ocean. Limited toilet facilities are available between
the lighthouse and the point.
Trips 10, 22: The Real Down East Local stops along NC 12 and Cedar Island NWR
(NCBT –
East Carteret Group – Site 8)
This easy tour of various habitats in the scenic Down
East area of Carteret County will end at the Cedar Island
ferry terminal. Among other locations, it will include
Cedar Island National Wildlife Refuge, which
consists of approximately 11,000 acres of brackish
marsh and 3,480 acres of woodland habitat. Dirt roads
and firebreaks provide visual access to the marsh and
woodlands, as well as the bays and sound. The firebreaks
serve as walking trails. The marsh and estuary
provide wintering habitat for thousands of ducks. Raptors
can be seen hunting over the marsh, and songbirds
are viewed along the fringe habitats and uplands. On
rare occasion, elusive rails may be spotted in the
marsh grasses along with Marsh and Sedge Wren.
Limited and sporadic toilet facilities.
Trips 11, 23: Hammocks Beach State Park
A venture to Bear Island in Hammocks Beach State
Park provides a unique opportunity to explore one of
the most unspoiled and uninhabited barrier islands on
the coast. Participants will take a ferry to the island
from the mainland visitor center. The ride provides
great views of marsh habitats, wading birds and shorebirds,
especially at low tide. If lucky, an overwintering
Painted Bunting may be seen near the boat
dock on the island and the walk across the island to the
ocean side will provide chances to locate birds in the
beach and dune habitats. Once on the ocean side, participants
will walk about 1.5 miles to Bogue Inlet to
search for wintering shorebirds and wading birds. The
deck of the closed bathhouse will provide a nice elevated
location for scanning the ocean for seabirds.
Cost $10, pay at ferry. Be prepared for salt spray
and low wind chill values. To reach the inlet, plan
to walk about 1.5 miles through sand. Bring food
and water. A spotting scope will be useful for ocean
scanning. No toilet facilities are available.
Trips 12, 24: Exploring the Croatan National Forest
(NCBT –
Onslow Bight Group – Sites 3 & 4;
Lower
Neuse Group – Site 2)
This trip will explore the Patsy Pond Nature Trail,
Millis and Pringle Roads as described in Trips 8 and
16 in addition to various lakes, ponds and the Neuse
River estuary for a variety of waterfowl. At the northern
outskirt of the Croatan, Island Creek Forest Walk
will provide a short hike within mature hardwood and
pine habitats along the creek where outcrops of coquina
limestone make for a very rich site and adds to
the plant and bird diversity. Look for Brown Creeper
and Winter Wren as well as the potential for an occasional
wintering Evening Grosbeak, Purple Finch or
Pine Siskin. Limited and sporadic toilet facilities.
Bonus Trip from Hatteras, NC
Wednesday January 27, 6:00 A.M.
Join a Seabirding Pelagic Trip with Captain Brian Patteson.
Brian's trips aboard the Stormy Petrel II are no
secret to Carolina birders, and this is a great opportunity
to check out our offshore waters for winter visitors.
Brian will share his knowledge and skills with
CBC members on this trip in hopes of finding some of
our special winter visitors that could include Northern
Fulmar, Manx Shearwater, Red Phalarope, Great
Skua, Black-legged Kittiwake, Atlantic Puffin, Razorbill
and Dovekie among others. The "up close and
personal" sights and sounds of Northern Gannets are
another highlight of this trip. The trip is offered to a
minimum of 10 and a maximum of 20 CBC members
for a discounted price of $150. In the event of cancellation
due to weather, participants will receive a full
refund. For additional lodging information and general
details about pelagic birding, check the Seabirding
website: http://www.patteson.com/.
To sign up for the bonus pelagic trip, mark the appropriate
box on the registration form on page 9 and remit
a separate check for $150 made payable to Seabirding
Pelagic Trips. Individuals registering for
both the pelagic trip and the winter meeting should remit
two checks, one for trip registration(s)/buffet(s)
made payable to the CBC, and one for the pelagic trip
made payable to Seabirding. Be sure to include your
e-mail address on the registration form as additional
information will be sent to you closer to the date of departure.
