CALICO CREEK BOARDWALK-MOREHEAD CITY, NC.

This is an often overlooked site inside the city limits of Morehead City, NC. The site borders  Calico Creek which cuts west up into the city for about 3 miles, coming off the Newport River  on the east side of the city. Calico Creek is a tidal creek with significant high and low tides. It is perhaps overlooked because there are so many competing birding sites in the area, including Fort Macon, Hoophole Creek, The Roosevelt Trail, Patsy Pond, The Rachel Carson Reserve, etc. The interior of town seems like an unlikely spot for a good birding place, but do not underestimate this excellent spot!!. It is located on North 20th Street, starting at the south side of the Creek at the bridge. The trail is all a nice boardwalk which runs both east and west of the street along the Creek. Both sides of the trail are about 1/2 mile long. The west side of the trail is bordered on the south by mixed pine/hardwood forest, and on the north by the creek. The east side of the trail is bordered on the south by a city cemetery and on the north by the creek. I like the west trail best because it offers the possibility of both woods birds as well as the many shorebirds and wading birds that can be seen along the creek. Both sides of the trail are excellent for creek viewing.

​This site is listed in the North Carolina Birding Trail-Coastal Plains Guide.  I recommend you visit this trail at low tide to see the most species, and early mornings are best. FOR PHOTOS OF BIRDS TAKEN AT THIS SITE, see my Journal Entry of May 13.