Page 14 - The Barefoot Guide (2019)

BOGUE B ANKS
BIRDING

Sea and surf, sand and sea oats; there are precious few places American robin, brown pelican and eastern bluebird, but
left on earth like North Carolina’s Bogue Banks. A thin, birders tend to be an adventuresome lot, and here, that trait
21-mile stretch of barrier island protecting the mainland is rewarded.
from the powerful Atlantic Ocean, Bogue Banks is a mosaic
of gin-clear waters, emerald green cord grass and some of The quest begins at Shackleford Banks. Just a short ferry
the most celebrated beaches in the world. Rich in natural ride from the coastal towns of Harkers Island, Beaufort and
beauty and opportunity for outdoor recreation and leisure, the Morehead City, the island’s pristine coastal habitat is home
island is a cherished destination for adventure seekers, family to several highly sought-after waterbirds and represents a
vacationers, anglers and artists. Bird watchers and nature critical nesting area for several endangered species. Since the
lovers know it for the incredible diversity and abundant flora island is accessible only by boat, birders who wish to visit the
and fauna that inhabit this spectacular stretch of coastline, island may do so by one of several ferry services or private
where the land truly meets the sea. charters. During spring and autumn, Shackleford’s expansive
soundside tidal flats are an important stopover for migrating
It would be easily understandable for visiting birders to spend shorebirds, including red knots, whimbrels and dunlin. The
most of their time soaking in the sun on the back deck of their isolated beaches are breeding territory for flocks of least
vacation home and ticking off abundant backyard species like terns and solitary nesters, such as Wilson’s plover, piping
brown thrasher, common yellowthroat, yellow-rumped warbler, plovers and American oystercatchers.

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