Wednesday November 10, 2010 Trips
Pea Island Refuge Sunrise Kayak Tour (A)
Enjoy a sunrise kayak tour though Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge. The shallow waters bring an abundance of shore birds. Oystercatchers, plovers, gulls, cormorants and pelicans gather to feed. On occasion, catch a glimpse of migratory Snow Geese. This is a stunningly beautiful paddle between islands of marsh grass during the first light of day. New Inlet boat access. Cost $35. 6-9 am. Kitty Hawk Kayaks.
South Pond Beginning Birding (A)
This program designed for beginning birders includes a rare opportunity to bird an area of Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge usually closed to visitors. Pea Island Refuge Headquarters. Moderate. Cost $25. 7:30-11 am. Lee Yoder.
Corolla Birding
Currituck Heritage Park and the beach lighthouse are among the best “migrant traps” on the Outer Banks. Late long distance songbirds and early sparrows are possible. Wetland boardwalks produce Marsh Wrens, Virginia Rails and other specialties. Tidal Flats may yield Willets, yellowlegs and other shorebirds. Outer Banks Center for Wildlife Education. Moderate. Cost $20. 8-11 am. Charles Foster.
Cape Hatteras Birding (A)
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
Mattamuskeet Refuge Birding (A)
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.
Birding 101 (A)
Classroom discussion and activities will be combined with a field exercise to provide participants with techniques to locate, observe and identify birds. The class will end with a short bird walk to locate and identify birds in their natural habitat. Designed for the beginning birder, others may learn methods to expand their birding skills. Jockey’s Ridge Visitor Center Auditorium. Easy. Cost $20. 9-11 am. Lena Gallitano.
Scuppernong River Canoe Tour (New) (Family Friendly)
What is a pocosin? Why is the water in the Scuppernong River black? Why should
these areas be protected? What benefits do pocosins have to people? Bring the family along to answer these questions and explore the fascinating ecology of unique pocosin wetlands and riverine systems with a paddle trip up the Scuppernong River. Learn about the migratory birds and other wildlife species that occur here. Identify pocosin plants and understand how man’s land use history has contributed to present-day conditions. Learn about the special adaptations the flora and fauna have evolved to survive in these habitats and potential threats that could lead to their demise. Possible wildlife sightings would include raptors, passerines, wood ducks, woodpeckers, river otters, beavers, and if temperatures are warm enough a variety of turtles and other reptile species. Walter B. Jones, Sr. Center for the Sounds. Cost $35; two children 12 and under may accompany paying adult for no charge. 9 am-Noon. Wendy
Stanton, refuge biologist.
Chicamacomico Life-Saving Station
Start with a compelling telling of the story of the Station - the scene of the most highly awarded maritime rescue in US history! Learn about its part in the United States Life-Saving Service (est. 1871) which would later help form the United States Coast Guard in 1915. In that 44-year history, these men responded to 178,741 shipwreck victims, saving 177,286! Then listen to Site Operations Manager Linda Molloy tell the exciting story of her role in the movie Nights in Rodanthe.The movie house is half a mile north of Chicamacomico! End the trip with a self-guided tour of site which includes lifesaving stations, outbuildings, and a two-story 1907 periodfurnished home, filled with artifacts, exhibits,
displays, videos, programs and demonstrations. Chicamacomico Life-Saving Station. Cost: adults $10, children 12 and under $5. Noon-2 pm. James Charlet, Linda Molloy.
Visit http://www.chicamacomico.net/ for more information on the Station.
Lost Colony History Kayak Tour (New) (Family Friendly)
Join us on this unique kayak tour as we paddle the north end of Roanoke Island
following in the footsteps of the Lost Colony. Paddle along the shore and then land as the colonists did and explore on foot. We’ll be joined by interpreters who will share the lifestyle of the colony as they lived it. William B Umstead Memorial Bridge (Manns Harbor Bridge), Manteo side, north parking lot. Cost $35; two children 12 and under may accompany paying adult for no charge. Noon-3 pm.
The Outdoors Outfitters, Pam Malec Landrum.
Currituck Beach Lighthouse and Keeper’s Quarters
Imagine a day in the life of Currituck Beach Lighthouse Keepers of the U.S. Lighthouse Board in the late 1800’s and early 1900’s. Tour the private quarters of the Victorian 1876 Keepers’ House and other historic structures on the grounds. Learn about the duties of keepers and their families in the isolated seaside outpost. Climb 214 steps to the top of the 1875 Currituck Beach Lighthouse for an exhilarating bird’s-eye view of the northern Outer Banks with close inspection of the operational first order Fresnel lens that can be seen 18 miles out to sea. Currituck Beach Lighthouse. Moderate to Strenuous. Cost $20. 1-3 pm. Meghan
Agresto, site manager.
Nags Head Woods Preserve
Explore a globally-rare maritime deciduous forest’s towering dunes, dark swamps and other ecological communities with the nature Conservancy’s northeast regional steward. Learn about conservation efforts in this unique preserve that contains the richest biological diversity on the outer banks. Watch for various forms of wildlife and both northern and southern species of native flora. Nags Head Woods Ecological Preserve. Moderate. Cost $20. 1-3 pm. Aaron McCall.
South Pond Beginning Birding (B)
This program designed for beginning birders includes a rare opportunity to bird an area of Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge usually closed to visitors. Pea Island Refuge Headquarters. Moderate. Cost $25. 1-4:30 pm. Ricky Davis.
Marsh Gameland and Outer Banks Welcome Center on Roanoke Island Birding (New)
Take the short loop gameland walking trail that leads to the impoundment and observation decks and spend an hour looking over the black needlerush marsh, tidal creeks, and 40-acre waterfowl impoundment in search of rails, shorebirds, and wintering waterfowl. Then drive to the nearby Welcome Center and head for the sound via the boardwalk to look for wintering sparrows and riparian wildlife. Gameland parking area (Roanoke Island). Easy. Cost $20. 1:30-4 pm. Peggy
Eubank.
Shifting Sands
Come explore the beach near Oregon Inlet on a walk with local author and Coast
keeper Jan DeBlieu. She will discuss the natural processes of barrier island movement and the creatures that live in the shifting sands. Participants also will examine fist-hand attempts by humans to draw a line in the sand and the impact these efforts have had on migratory birds. Oregon Inlet Bridge south parking lot. Moderate. Cost $20. 2-3:30 pm. Jan Deblieu.
Digital Photography Basics (New)
Learn how to use your digital camera and what to do with all those images. This presentation will provide tips and techniques designed to improve your photography and produce more artistic results. Specific topics will include camera functions, image management and making your pictures look their best with software. A portion of this class may include an outdoor photographic session and a review of participants’ digital images. All cameras welcome. Pine Island Audubon Sanctuary and Center. Cost $30. 2-6 pm. Mark Buckler.
Behind the Scenes with Photographer Mike Halminski
Spend time with local photographer Mike Halminski. Get acquainted in his gallery
in Waves. Learn about digital photography process and workflow. A trip to the beach will be included to look for flocks of shorebirds to photograph. Focus will be on feeding and flight behavior of individual birds and flocks. Cameras should be SLR (film or digital), and equipped with at least small telephoto capability. Larger telephoto lenses can also be used. For transport on the beach Participants can either ride in the back of Mike’s truck or bring their own 4X4 vehicle. Michael Halminski Photo Gallery. Cost $30. 2:30-5:30 pm. Mike Halminski.
Corolla Sunset Kayak Tour (New)
Escape to the quiet waters of the Currituck Sound and end your daylight hours
watching an extraordinary fall sunset as the light from the Currituck Beach Lighthouse begins to wink. The peace and quiet makes it easy to observe our crepuscular wildlife as well as unwind in a unique setting. There are chances to see muskrat, river otter, Blue Herons, egrets, Bald Eagles, and migrating waterfowl. Coastal Explorations. Cost $35. 3-6 pm. Coastal Explorations.
Owl Prowl (A)
Hoot up Barred Owls, Screech Owls, and maybe even a Great Horned Owl. Observe classic owl behavior. Program will begin with a brief presentation on natural history, distribution and identification of local species. Transportation provided. Creef Cut parking area. Cost $25. 4:30-7:30 pm. Brian Bockhahn.
Red Wolf Howling Tram Tour (New) (Family Friendly)
Ride into the Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge in the refuge’s open-air tram to “howl up” the wolves. Learn about endangered and elusive red wolves and hopefully experience the opportunity of a lifetime to hear their harmonious howls. Flashlights helpful but not necessary. Creef Cut parking area. Cost $20; two children 12 and under may accompany paying adult for no charge. 5-7 pm. Refuge
staff.
