PEA ISLAND, NORTH CAROLINA

My sister-in-law took us to Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge.  

The birds were in hiding during the time we were there, but maybe they were in an area we didn't walk to.  Nonetheless it was a fun ride there and back, and we had a very interesting browse around the visitor center.  It was where we saw the display I shared in a previous post here.

The Refuge is on Hatteras Island and covers 13 miles of Cape Hatteras National Seashore land.  It is a completely undeveloped piece of land, with gorgeous views and peaceful, off the beaten path nature trails.  You can read about it here.  This was on display outside of the visitor center, poor whale.

The volunteer at the desk, a very nice lady, answered our questions about the local area.

Aloft was a Tundra Swan.

She had this book where she explained the differences between the types of swans.  If you enlarge the photos you will get more detail.

She let me take photos of the pages.

There were several display cases of the wildlife in this area.

Black-necked Stilt and an American Oystercatcher

Snow Geese

River Otter

There is a short video where you can see them swimming here.

A replica of a turtle's nest.  This website shows information.

Lots of posters and information signs.

 If you enlarge the photos you can just about make out all the names.

This area is one of the many places I would like to visit again, and next time we will find those birds.

Added note as of 1-22-20, I have just read that "Pea Island is about to undergo a restoration project to excavate sand in order to create open water intertidal pool areas for multiple bird species, including the piping plover, American oystercatcher and terns.  I found that here from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.