Top-Tier Birdwatching Awaits In This Unlikely East Coast Getaway

Forbes

28-07-2025

The Outer Banks played a prominent role in the early history of aviation, with the first sustained ... More flight by the Wright brothers taking place in 1903 in Kill Devil Hills.
Long renowned for its picturesque lighthouses and pristine beaches, the Outer Banks region is considered one of the top summer vacation destinations in all of North Carolina—and to sweeten the deal, this scenic expanse of barrier islands is also brimming with all sorts of fascinating native species. From tiny shorebirds to formidable raptors, the Outer Banks plays host to a staggering array of bird species thanks to its varied collection of habitats, with estuaries, salt marshes and maritime woodlands found all across the region. Amidst its many shops, restaurants and vacation homes, the Outer Banks comes packed full of scenic preserves that are teeming with birdlife, making it the perfect getaway for avian aficionados.
While the entirety of the Outer Banks spans roughly 200 miles along the Atlantic, the northern half of the region is home to pockets of thick forest, with Nags Head Woods Preserve serving as a top spot for a morning birdwatching session. This scenic park plays host to one of the largest surviving maritime forests in the Carolinas, serving as a crucial haven for more than 100 different avian species including the rose-breasted grosbeak, prothonotary warbler and purple finch. After a deep dive on the biodiversity of the refuge, nearby Kitty Hawk Woods Reserve is a top spot for scoping out wood ducks and American woodcocks thanks to its verdant marshes, but for a truly unique perspective on the Outer Banks, don't miss out on Jockey's Ridge State Park.
Jockey's Ridge State Park is a popular destination for hang gliding thanks to its towering sand ... More dunes.
Officially designated a state park in 1975, this fascinating preserve is best known for its towering sand dunes, each one formed over the centuries due to wind erosion. Though the dunes themselves are largely devoid of wildlife during daylight hours, the park offers plenty of avian biodiversity across the Roanoke Sound, an idyllic water feature that extends along the western edge of Jockey's Ridge. The many fish species throughout the sound serve as prey for diving ducks like the red-breasted merganser and bufflehead, while waders abound as well, with green herons and snowy egrets often spotted along the water's edge.
Outer Banks visitors can spot all sorts of captivating species while staying entirely north of Whalebone Junction, but for the ambitious birder, nothing beats a journey to the region's oft-unexplored southern reaches. With more than 30,000 acres of land to explore, Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge serves as one of the crown jewels of the Outer Banks in terms of avitourism, boasting roughly 350 resident and migratory species throughout the year. Shorebirds are a particular highlight, with winter bringing the potential to marvel at eye-catching visitors like the snow goose, American white pelican and tundra swan amidst a wealth of other waterfowl and waders.
Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1938.
Millions of visitors arrive on the shores of the Outer Banks each year, but this sprawling region plays host to far more than just summer vacationers. From the forests of Corolla to the shores of Ocracoke, this storied collection of barrier islands has given rise to some truly captivating preserves and refuges over the years, each one brimming with its own unique array of shorebirds, passerines and waterfowl amidst a wealth of other creatures. As you seek out your next destination for an avifauna-focused getaway, don't miss out on this oft-underrated region, with plenty of picturesque beaches and tranquil forests to explore all across its boundaries.