The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s National Wildlife Refuges in Eastern North Carolina provide many opportunities to see expected bird migrants passing through the Outer Banks area. They include wintering birds such as waterfowl and shorebirds.
In addition to the regulars, however, local refuges can sometimes surprise visitors with an unusual or rare bird.
For example, an immature reddish egret was seen for many days at Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge‘s north pond. Reddish egrets are usually only found along the Gulf states and Mexico.
Visitors also found two rare birds at Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge, a Lincoln’s sparrow and a female painted bunting. These two birds are rarely seen in Eastern North Carolina. They usually spend the winter in the southwest and Mexico.
“When you visit our Refuges, keep an eye out for both the regular and rare birds that visit,” stated USFWS.
