Alligator River/Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge P. O. Box 1969 Manteo, North Carolina 27954 Contact: Bonnie Strawser - 252-473-1131 Back to News Home Page

News Release

April 16, 2006

Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge Offers Wed/Thurs/Friday Bird Walks During Spring

Photo credit: Mike Halminski
North Pond Trail at Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge offers visitors great opportunities to view birds and other wildlife. Bird walk leaders Pat and Neal Moore often arrive early to preview the possibilities!

Although bird walks are offered at Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge on Friday mornings throughout the year, this month the Refuge expanded its bird walk schedule to include Wednesday and Thursday mornings, as well. Bird walks offer refuge visitors a unique opportunity to view a variety of bird species. “Spring is a wonderful time to view birds on the Refuge,” explains Wildlife Interpretive Specialist Ann Marie Salewski. “We're in the middle of the shorebird migration, yet we still have some waterfowl sticking around from the winter.”

Visitors of all ages and sizes, interests and abilities, are welcome on the bird walks. “North Pond Wildlife Trail is universally-accessible, and we lend binoculars to visitors who need them,” says Specialist Salewski. Bird walks are led by members of the Cape Hatteras and North Banks Bird Clubs, who volunteer their time to share their love of birds and the Refuge. Pat and Neal Moore, leaders of the Friday morning bird walks, are at the Refuge every Friday throughout the year, rain or shine. The dedication and perseverance refuge volunteer birders is amazing!

Bird Walks are offered Wednesday, Thursday and Friday mornings at 8:00am, starting at the Pea Island Visitor Center. The Center is located on the Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge, approximately 5.5 miles south of Oregon Inlet (Mile Post 32 on Route 12) Walks typically last an hour and a half, depending on how many species are seen on the trip. For more information about the walks- or additional programs to be offered throughout the summer- call Ann Marie Salewski at (252) 987-1118 or by e-mail at Ann_Salewski@fws.gov.