Friday November 12, 2010 Trips
Red-cockaded Woodpecker at Palmetto-Peartree Preserve (B)
Travel to the “P-3” where several colonies of endangered Red-cockaded Woodpeckers are being studied. Most of the sites are visible from the network of unpaved roads. Also look for six other species of woodpeckers and various songbirds that can be found in this area; 4x4 useful. Service station at west end of Alligator River Bridge. Cost $20. 6-11 am. John Hammond.
Pea Island ‘Duck Hunt’ Birding
Ever wondered what a duck hunt is like? Come experience the hunt of a lifetime on this trip. Participants will learn about decoys and ducks and have the opportunity to sit in a blind on this simulated duck hunt in the refuge photography blind. Decoys will be placed, calls will be used and the anticipation of ducks coming to the decoys will be experienced by all! Trip will start promptly to minimize disturbance to the birds. Bring cameras, no guns. Pea Island Refuge Visitor Center. Cost $20. 6:30-10 am. Brian Van Druten, refuge staff.
North Pond Birding (B)
Beginning birders are welcome on this walk along the south and north dikes of North Pond on Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge. North Pond Wildlife Trail (south dike of North Pond) is maintained for easy walking and is universally accessible. Pea Island Refuge Visitor Center. Cost $20. 7:30-11 am. Ricky Davis.
South Pond Birding for Experienced Birders
This is a rare opportunity to bird an area on Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge usually closed to visitors. Bring your own scope for this trip designed for experienced birders. Cost $25. 7:30-11 am. Kent Fiala.
Roanoke Island Birding (B)
Explore Roanoke Island birding hotspots including the historic Elizabethan Gardens and its collection of priceless statuary, interesting plants and butterflies (weather permitting). Lots of photo opportunities. Find birds that are year-round residents or late fall migrants. Possibilities include a wide assortment of warblers, vireos, wrens, orioles and sparrows. Elizabethan Gardens parking area. Cost $20. 7:30-11:30 am. Jeff Lewis.
From Sea to Sound
Discover how plant life adapts to constant ocean breezes. Take a walk across Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge from ocean to salt marsh and learn about the interaction of man and wildlife through the management techniques used. Find out how many habitat types are on Pea Island. What wildlife species does each habitat support? How much management does each habitat require to support good populations? Pea Island Refuge Visitor Center. Moderate. Cost $20. 8-10 am. Cindy Heffley, refuge staff.
Cape Hatteras Birding (B)
The Point, the Salt Pond and adjacent flats, dunes and wetlands are historically important to both anglers and birders. Expect to see not only Brown Pelicans, gulls, terns, seabirds, shorebirds, ducks, and waders, but also a variety of raptors
and passerines. Northern Gannets and an assortment of grebes and sparrows are likely. Migrant grassland species such as American Pipit, Lapland Longspur and Snow Bunting are also possible. The trip will be in leader-driven beach vehicles with some walking into offroad areas. Cape Hatteras Lighthouse visitor parking area. Moderate. $25. 8-11:30 am. Bunny Doolittle, John Wright, Ben Watkins, Taylor Piephoff, Susan Campbell.
Mattamuskeet Refuge Birding (B)
Meet at the Mattamuskeet Lodge and learn about the refuge before departing for
the Causeway, Entrance Road and Wildlife Drive to view thousands of waterfowl as well as shorebirds, waders and raptors. Explore other parts of the Mattamuskeet National Wildlife Refuge as time allows. Mattamuskeet Lodge. Moderate. Cost $20. 8 am-Noon. Ernie Marshall.
Ocracoke Island Birding
Explore this wonderful 15-mile-long barrier island, which is almost entirely Cape
Hatteras National Seashore. Target birds are Marbled Godwits, Piping Plover, Red Knots, White Ibis, Common Moorhen, Hooded Mergansers, and hopefully, spectacular views of Northern Gannets feeding just off shore. Arrive at Hatteras ferry dock by 6:15 a.m. to line up for 7 a.m. ferry. Look for waterfowl, gulls and pelicans during the 45-minute ferry crossing to Ocracoke. Stops include pine woods, marshes, the beach and South Point. Will return in time for the 3 p.m. ferry back to Hatteras. Bring a lunch and beverages. 4x4 vehicle desirable, not required. Ocracoke Campground (NPS) parking lot. Cost $35. 8 am-2 pm. Peter
Vankevich.
Mashoes Marshes Kayak Tour
Kayak with a local guide through the backwater creeks of the Mashoes community. This is a lesser-traveled portion of the Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge, making it one of the most pristine kayak locations on the Outer Banks. The trip combines open water and narrow, winding paths through cordgrass fields. Participants also will have the opportunity to explore a remote beach and maritime forest, on foot, along the Albemarle Sound. Mashoes Road kayak access. Moderate to strenuous. Cost $35. 9-11:30 am. Coastal Kayak.
Pelican Island Safari (Now an hour longer!) (A)
Led by ninth-generation captain Stuart Wescott, ride on a 53-foot pontoon boat from Wanchese Harbor through Old House Channel to Pelican Island, a dredge spoil island near Oregon Inlet that is home to a colonial waterbird and pelican nesting area. Disembark and walk the island with Brian Bockhahn, birder and naturalist. Wander among pelican nests and learn about their breeding biology. Walk to the top of the dune for a view of other island inhabitants including birds, mammals, and butterflies. Weather permitting, capture and tag Monarch Butterflies as they pause to gather nectar from blooming goldenrod on
their migration south to Mexico. Restroom onboard. Fisherman’s Wharf Restaurant. Moderate to rigorous. Cost $30. 9 am-Noon. Stuart Wescott, Brian Bockhahn.
Birding North Pond by Tram (New) (Family Friendly)
For those who always wanted to explore the far side of North Pond, but were not
able to go there, this new WOW trip is for you. Have a seat and save your feet! Climb aboard the refuge open-air tram and slowly transported trip around the North Pond at Pea Island. From the comfort of a seat, hear and see the wildlife and observe some spots not normally visited on this four-mile service road. Please be prepared for a variety of temperatures and the possibility of biting insects on this tour. Pea Island Refuge Visitor Center. Easy. Cost $20; two children 12 and under may accompany paying adult for no charge. 10 am-Noon. Neal Moore, Ron Marchand.
A Winter Day - Lake Mattamuskeet (With Boxed Lunch)
Join fellow participants for a tasty boxed lunch and private showing of the award-winning video “A Winter Day at Lake Mattamuskeet.” Filmed on Mattamuskeet National Wildlife Refuge, this video has no narration, only the natural sounds of wildlife on the lake shown through beautiful cinematography and music arranged by musician and songwriter, Blake Scott. This will appeal to nature lovers, birders and anyone who appreciates the beauty of the outdoors, Lake Mattamuskeet and the Refuge. Mattamuskeet Refuge Office. Cost $20. Noon-1:15 pm. Dr. Lewis Forrest, executive director, The Mattamuskeet Foundation.
Roanoke Island Civil War History Kayak Tour (New)
Paddle along the shores of the north end of Roanoke Island. Here, three forts
were built to aid in the defense of the island during the Civil War. Paddle over waters that cover the graveyard of the “Mosquito Fleet.” Also explore the beaches on foot for an up close look at the fort remnants and learn about the lifestyle of those who lived and fought here. Good tour for beginners and experts. NC Aquarium on Roanoke Island public beach access. Cost $35. Noon-3 pm. Outdoors Inn, Pam Malec Landrum.
Pea Island Refuge Tram Tour (New) (Family Friendly)
Climb aboard the refuge open-air tram and join refuge manager Mike Bryant as you are taken around the North Pond Trail at Pea Island. Find out what it takes to keep the refuge running smoothly. Learn why Pea Island attracts not only thousands of human visitors each year but also thousands of birds and other wildlife. Please be prepared for a variety of temperatures and the possibility of biting insects on this tour. Hot beverages will be available to keep you warm on the tour. Pea Island Visitor Center. Cost $20; two children 12 and under may accompany paying adult for no charge. 1-3 pm. Refuge Manager Mike Bryant.
Bodie Island Lighthouse Birding
Look for songbirds around the lighthouse and on wooded trails, and for waterbirds from the boardwalk by the ponds. Bodie Island Lighthouse Parking Lot (North end, near restroom). Moderate. Cost $20. 1-4:30 pm. Jeff Pippen.
Oregon Inlet Marsh Birding (A)
Check the inlet’s beach and flats for shorebirds. Then wade the marsh in search of Clapper Rails, marsh sparrows (including Sharp-tails) and Marsh and Sedge Wrens. Bring boots for walking in calf-deep water. Leader Fussell is author of “A Birder’s Guide to Coastal North Carolina.” Oregon Inlet Fishing Center (South end of left-most parking area). Strenuous. Cost $25. 1-4:30 pm. John Fussell, Chris Eley, Kent Fiala.
Lake Mattamuskeet History and Ecology Tour
Lake Mattamuskeet, the largest natural lake in North Carolina, is the site of America’s most famous pump-supported land reclamation project that drained the
lake three times using the world’s largest capacity pumping plant. The Mattamuskeet Drainage District’s drainage project, from 1909 to 1932, excavated 130 miles of large navigable canals in and around the lake that have permanently altered its ecology. Dr. Lewis Forrest will guide a walking tour while narrating an overview of the history of the lake and the Mattamuskeet Lodge, which was originally the pumping plant. In the event of inclement weather, the program will be held indoors. Mattamuskeet Refuge Office. Cost $20. 1:30-3:30 pm. Dr. Lewis Forrest, executive director, The Mattamuskeet Foundation.
Frisco Native American Museum Tour and Program
Imagine ... a moment in far distant time, when the earliest humans first saw birds either on land or in the air. The awesome mystery of their graceful flight and unique magic made it quite easy for natives to consider birds as spiritual connections to daily life and death. Join the director of the Frisco Native American Museum & Natural History Center for a tour of the museum. Discover the beauty of native art in an interactive “Bird Hunt” to locate special uses of bird feathers in museum exhibits (prizes for the keenest observers!). Discover how birds represent the intimate relationship natives have developed with the natural world and attempt a mini flight of your own in a special “Human Flying Lesson!” Frisco Native American Museum. Cost: adults $10, children 12 and under $5. 2-4 pm. Carl and Joyce Bornfriend.
Visit http://www.nativeamericanmuseum.org/ for more information on the Museum.
Hummingbird Banding (Family Friendly) (A)
A licensed bander will demonstrate techniques for capturing and banding hummingbirds. The program also will provide useful tips on attracting hummingbirds. The group will visit a Manteo residence that hosts numerous hummingbirds throughout the year. If possible, bring a folding chair. NC Aquarium on Roanoke Island parking lot. Easy. Cost $20; two children 12 and under may accompany paying adult for no charge. 2-4 pm. Susan Campbell.
Keynote Reception
There just can’t be a better way to end the day than taking a leisurely stroll through the North Carolina Aquarium on Roanoke Island while enjoying a relaxing
drink and then having dinner right in front of the shark tank. And when dinner is over, sit back and enjoy the great humor, music and insight offered by this year’s keynote speaker, naturalist, editor, musician and birder, Bill Thompson who comes armed with rave reviews and books to sign! Thompson will talk about the Perils of Birding but you won’t need to be a birder to enjoy this lively monologue. Cost $35. Social 6 pm. Dinner 7 pm. Followed by keynote, Bill Thompson.
Visit http://www.WingsOverWater.org/Keynote.html for more information.
