Features

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    Ducks Unlimited Fishing Derby

    Every year in September Mackay Island National Wildlife Refuge and Ducks Unlimited put on a fishing event that is fun for the whole family.

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    Open Roads Days

    "Open Roads Days" events are held throughout the year to provide opportunities to fish and observe wildlife.

    2018 Mackay Island Calendar of Events

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    Wings Over Water

    Wings Over Water occurs every year in the fall and offers an assortment of ways to experience the wildness and uniqueness of the area.

    Wings Over Water

  • Monarch Butterflies at a Sanctuary in Mexico

    Overwintering in Mexico

    The migrating monarchs began to arrive at Mexican butterfly sanctuaries on October 31. They will start there return in February or March.

    Report Your Sightings

Featured Wildlife

American Black Duck

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American black ducks migrate to Mackay Island National Wildlife Refuge in the fall from their breeding grounds in eastern Canada. They arrive in October and remain until February.

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Snow Goose

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Snow geese migrate to Mackay Island National Wildlife Refuge in the fall from their breeding grounds on the tundra in northeastern Canada. They arrive in October and remain until February. They reside in the moist soil units and marshes on the refuge and in the Bay and River surrounding the refuge.

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Take a Sneak Peek

Take a Virtual Tour of Mackay Island National Wildlife Refuge

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There's nothing like experiencing this refuge in person, but take a sneak peek to give you a hint of what's in store for you here!

Virtual Tour of Mackay Island

About the Complex

North Carolina Coastal Plain National Wildlife Refuges Complex

Mackay Island National Wildlife Refuge is managed as part of the North Carolina Coastal Plain National Wildlife Refuges Complex.

Read more about the complex
About the NWRS

National Wildlife Refuge System

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The National Wildlife Refuge System, within the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, manages a national network of lands and waters set aside to conserve America's fish, wildlife, and plants.

Learn more about the NWRS
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