The Roosevelt Natural Area and Trail near the North Carolina Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores on the Crystal Coast of NC. is a very unusual site for birding in that it offers old growth mixed forest surrounded by marsh creek and sound. This environment provides excellent birding for a great variety of of species . For a full description of this site, go to the main page. I was able to visit this site last week for a couple of mornings. The cool fall temperatures and clear days were a blessing after our long summer heat. The birds were very active and I was able to get some very nice pictures of a broad variety of species including woods birds, shorebirds, and wading birds. If you have not been to this site, I highly recommend that you go. See the pictures below.
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Last week, just after Hurricane Matthew blasted the area, I was able to spend two nice mornings at Fort Macon State Park, NC. The hurricane caused no significant damage in the area. The weather during my two mornings spent there was very nice with clear blue skies and low 70s temps. Being mid-October, I was hoping to see a few migrant warblers and possibly raptors. There were quite a few small woods birds and numerous Flickers. I have never seen so many Flickers in the area. There were warblers mixed in with the usual fall locals normally seen in the area. I did see one Peregrine Falcon who swooped down over the freshwater pond there, but I was not quick enough to get a picture. There was also a Cooper’s Hawk that I was not able to photograph. The daytime appearance of an unwary Raccoon added some excitement ! My wife, Glyn and I were in the area for four days and visited a few of our favorite restaurants including Amos Mosquitos at Atlantic Beach, The Sanitary and the Red Fish Grill in Morehead City, and the very nice Cedars Inn in Beaufort . I recommend them all!! This location is always one of my favorites and I seldom fail to see a good many species of birds. I did not spend any time on the beach looking for shorebirds or waterfowl--i will seek those species when colder weather arrives. This trip was very pleasant and it was nice to have cooler weather after this very hot summer season. See pictures below. SEE GALLERY BELOW. CLICK ON ANY PIC TO ENLARGE. USE SIDE ARROWS TO MOVE BACK AND FORTH. |
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