Wings Over Water Wildlife Festival

Schedule:

7:00-9:00 am - Alligator River Refuge Nature Photography Van Tour (NEW). A unique customized tour on Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge hoping to provide the optimal locations to see wildlife. We'll be looking for black bears, river otters, wild turkeys, alligators, red wolves and much more. This is not a camera instructional tour, but a tour taking you to locations where you might obtain the best photos with your camera. Very limited space for 6. Meet: Creef Cut Wildlife Trail parking lot, NC Hwy 64 and Milltail Road. Leader/expert: Tracey Rock and Jackie Orsulak.
Cost: $30.00

7:30-11:00 am - Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge South Pond Birding. The search for birds will include checking the impoundment for waterfowl and migratory shorebirds, also checking the undisturbed vegetation of the dikes and marshes for songbirds and raptors. South Pond is normally closed off to visitors. It is only during guided Wings Over Water trips such as this one, that we are given special refuge permission to visit this otherwise closed area. Come prepared for mosquitoes. Cacti can also be a problem. Wear appropriate footwear. 1.5 to 2-mile walk. Meet: Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge Visitor parking lot, 14500 NC Hwy 12, app. 4 miles south of Marc Basnight (Oregon Inlet) Bridge, west side of NC Hwy 12 Leaders/Field Experts: Peggy Eubank and Jeff Lewis.
Cost: $25.00

8:00- 11:00 am - Exploring Pine Island Audubon Sanctuary Explore one of the gems of the region with special access to the various habitats of the 2600-acre Audubon Sanctuary. This guided walk, although focused on bird watching, will feature all the nature and history that the Pine Island Audubon Sanctuary has to offer. 2-mile walk on solid terrain. Meet: Audubon Nature Sanctuary 300 Audubon Drive, Corolla, NC 27927 (app. 32 miles north of Roanoke Island off of NC Hwy 12). Pull onto Audubon Drive, wait at wooden gate. https://pineisland.audubon.org/visit App. 32 miles north of Roanoke Island off of NC Hwy 12. Leaders/Field Experts: Jane Bailey, Audubon staff at Donal C. O’Brien, Jr. Sanctuary and Audubon Center.
Cost: $25.00

8:30-11:00 am - Nature Walk at Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge (NEW). Join our keynote speaker Kenn Kaufman and wildlife ecologist Susan Campbell on Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge. This 152,000-acre refuge is home to a multitude of species. We will spend most of our time walking the trails, paths and roads on the northern edge of refuge looking for tracks, 'sign' and whatever creatures are out and about. Learn about not only the habitats here but the history of the refuge and its management-- which can be challenging given that some very large mammals, sizeable alligators and even endangered species are found on the property. Wear comfortable shoes and be prepared for some muddy conditions if there have been recent rains. Be sure to carry insect repellent, sunscreen and plenty to drink. We will try to carpool as we move around the refuge to reduce disturbance. Meet at the Creef Cut Wildlife Trail parking area located at Hwy 64 and Milltail Road. Leaders: Susan Campbell and Kenn Kaufman.
Cost: $25.00

9:00-11:00 am - Maritime Forest Kayak Birding Tour (Kitty Hawk Woods) Kayak with an experienced birder through Kitty Hawk Woods, one of three maritime forests remaining on the Outer Banks. This tour, designed specifically for those interested in viewing the many bird species living in this forest, offers the unique experience of kayaking through amber-colored creeks under a canopy of Live Oaks and Loblolly Pines. Kayaking experience is not necessary, for this tour will move slowly, stopping at many inlets to view birds. There is generally an abundance of backyard species, wrens, and chickadees, as well as Pileated Woodpeckers, kingfishers, herons and egrets. There is no better way to view this area than by kayak. Inaccessible by vehicle or foot, this 1900-acre preserve offers much to see. Meet: Kitty Hawk Kayas, 6150 North Croatan Highway, Kitty Hawk, NC 27949 https://khkss.com Leaders/Field Experts: Kitty Hawk Kayaks and birder, John Hammond, USFWS
Cost: $40.00

9:00 - 1:00 pm - Mackay Island National Wildlife Refuge Birding (Distant Trip). Take a wildlife walk and drive on Mackay Island National Wildlife Refuge’s impoundment dike to view waterfowl, marsh birds, wading birds, songbirds and a variety of raptors. Waterfowl prospects include Green and Blue-winged Teal, American Widgeon, Northern Shoveler, Northern Pintail, Wood Duck and Ruddy Duck. Refuge marshes provide cover for a variety of shorebirds, rails and bitterns. ALERT: This is the northernmost WOW trip and it could require a ferry ride, depending on what route you choose. App. 62 miles from Roanoke Island to Mackay Island. Plan your travel time carefully because Mackay Island is a good distance from the Outer Banks. Reaching the refuge could include a 45- minute ride on the Currituck ferry. Call 1-800- BYFERRY to confirm ferry schedules. There is also an all-land route that you can find using Google maps. Meet: Mackay Island National Wildlife Refuge headquarters parking lot, 316 Marsh Causeway Road, Knotts Island, NC 27950. Leader/Field Experts: Julie and Steve Coari
Cost: $25.00

1:00-3:00 am - Nags Head Woods Reptile and Amphibian Hike. Explore Nags Head Woods Ecological Preserve for some of the many reptile and amphibian species that live in the preserve. The preserve is made up of several types of habitat, including maritime forest, sand dunes, freshwater wetlands, and marsh that provide a home to one of the highest diversities of reptile and amphibians on the Outer Banks. A total of 29 species of reptile and 15 species of amphibians have been found within the preserve. There are several species that the only location on the Outer Banks in which they have been documented is in Nags Head Woods. Walk a few of the trails in search of species of reptile such as black racer, rat snakes, cottonmouth, green anoles, and skinks. Search the edges of some of the ponds and under logs for amphibian species such as southern leopard frogs, cricket frog, bull frog and marbled salamander. Meet: Nags Heads Woods Ecological Preserve parking lot, 701 West Ocean Acres Drive, Kill Devil Hills, NC 27948 Leader/Field Expert: Michael Gosselin
Cost: $25.00

1:00-4:00 pm - Birding 101 (Classroom and Field) Birding 101 is designed for the inexperienced or casual bird watcher who would like to improve their birding skills. Using a combination of classroom and field exercises, participants will learn clues to solve the bird identification puzzle. Following classroom discussion and identification exercises, participants will put their new skills to work with a short walk at a nearby location. Although designed for the beginning birder, others may learn methods to expand their birding skills. Binoculars are recommended but not required. Due to class length you might want to bring a snack and water. Meet: National Wildlife Refuges Visitor Center, 100 Conservation Way, Manteo, NC 27954, Roanoke Island, conference room. Leader/Field Expert: Colleen Bockhahn.
Cost: $25.00

1:00-4:30 am - Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge South Pond Birding The search for birds will include checking the impoundment for waterfowl and migratory shorebirds and also checking the undisturbed vegetation of the dikes and marshes for songbirds and raptors. South Pond is normally closed off to visitors. It is only during guided Wings Over Water trips such as this one, that we are given special refuge permission to visit this otherwise closed area. Come prepared for mosquitoes. Cacti can also be a problem. Wear appropriate footwear. 1.5 to 2-mile walk. Meet: Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge Visitor parking lot, 14500 NC Hwy 12, app. 4 miles south of Oregon Inlet Bridge, west side of NC Hwy 12 Leaders/Field Expert: Karen Lebing and Marc Ribaudo.
Cost: $25.00

2:00-6:00 pm - Gull/Tern Workshop (Classroom and Field). Perfect for beginning and intermediate birders, the classroom introduction to the basics of gull and tern identification will simplify studying them in the field. The diversity of gull and tern plumage, size, and behavior may seem daunting, but this workshop will teach you how to easily identify and age the common local species. Join this workshop and get hooked on the mystery of birding identification. We'll then go on a brief excursion that will solidify the basics. As many as six gull and four tern species may be located for further study. After the classroom portion of the program we will caravan following the leader to various gull and tern gathering spots. Locations we might visit are: Manteo/Nags Head Causeway, Wanchese docks area, the sound behind the Nags Head Tanger Outlet Mall and as far south as Oregon Inlet. Locations to be determined by up-to-the-hour birding reports. For additional practice with gull/tern identification, consider these other Wings Over Water trips: Cape Hatteras Birding, Ocean-watching at Jennette’s Pier, and North Pond Birding. Meet at National Wildlife Refuges Visitor Center 100 Conservation Way, Roanoke Island. Be prepared to drive as far south as Oregon Inlet as part of this program. Leader/Field Expert: North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences Staff.
Cost: $25.00

4:00-6:00 pm - Maritime Forest Sunset Kayak Tour. Kitty Hawk Woods, one of only three maritime forests remaining on the Outer Banks. It offers a unique experience as kayakers paddle through an amber-colored creek under a canopy of Live oaks and Loblolly pines. Turtles, snakes, and other reptiles are very common in this area, as are birds such as herons, egrets, woodpeckers, kingfishers, Red-tailed hawks and eagles. At sunset, paddle through the marsh to search for feeding wildlife. Sunset is at 6:22 pm. A great kayak tour for the beginner as well as the experienced paddler. The woods provide shelter from the wind, and the water is shallow. Dress for weather, water and insects. A flashlight or headlamp might be helpful but not required. We provide the leader, kayaks, paddles and personal flotation devices, you provide the paddle power! Meet: Bob Perry Road Boat Access (Kitty Hawk Recycle Center Boat Ramp) 4190 Bob Perry Road. Kitty Hawk, NC 27949
Cost: $40.00

5:30-8:30 pm - Owl Prowl.  We hope to hoot up Barred Owls, Eastern Screech-owls, and Great Horned Owls on this trip with special nighttime access to Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge. Owls can be secretive and hard to see, so you never know what species we will encounter in the wild. The program will begin with a presentation on the natural history, distribution and identification of local owl species.  Transportation is by car caravan in your vehicle behind the leader. Dress warmly and bring a flashlight or headlamp. Meet: Creef Cut Trail parking lot, Hwy 64 and Milltail Road, app. 5.5 miles west of Roanoke Island (on Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge. Leader/Field Expert: Sarah Toner, USFWS.
Cost: $25.00