Great Time on the
Pine IslandSanctuary Field Trip
January 13-15, 2007
by Gregg Morris
Photos courtesy of David Offutt
It was typical June weather on the Outer Banks, under sunny-blue skies, with temps in the mid-70s. Only it was the middle of January. Our small party of four reveled in the unseasonal weather, understanding reality would prevail and that the weather was going to take a severe turn for the worse about the time our trip ended.
We met at the hotel in Nag’s
Head unexpectedly early on Saturday, so we immediately headed to Coquina
Beach, where nothing much was happening, and 
to
Bodie Island Lighthouse, where much more was. There were lots of Tundra
Swans on the pond, along with several American Avocets and representatives
of many of the expected duck species, including Green-winged Teal and
American Widgeon. Tree Swallows patrolled overhead. A Bald Eagle kept
watch from it nest tree, and a Common Loon and several Red-breasted Grebes
provided close-up looks on the sound. As the day drew to a close, we popped
over the Donner Bridge to Pea Island NWR. I was hoping for a Seaside Sparrow
at the old Coast Guard station
or something interesting near the jetty, but no such luck.
Pine Island, an Audubon
sanctuary in the Duck/Sanderling area, was first on Sunday morning’s
agenda. We didn’t stay long, as it proved unpromising. Instead,
we went south again to Pea Island to give the place an extended look.
A Tricolored Heron and Great Blue Herons were 
seen,
as well as an immature Little Blue. We had rafts of American Coots, large
numbers of Greater and Lesser Scaups, a moderate supply of Northern Shovelers,
Ring-necked and Ruddy Ducks, and a few Buffleheads and Redheads. Naturally,
there were lots of Tundra Swans and several Great and Snowy Egrets. There
was also a huge Snapping Turtle in the little pond by 
the
boardwalk. Next, we visited Cape Hatteras, where we saw several Willets
and a rare, for January, Whimbrel, more Red-brested Grebes and some Northern
Gannets.
Monday morning, before heading for home, we decided to visit Alligator River NWR. There were more swans, about half the Northern Pintails in the world, two more Bald Eagles, several Northern Harriers, a Wilson’s Snipe, a Red-tailed Hawk, Pileated (several), Red-bellied and Downy Woodpeckers and, the bird of the trip, an immature, light-morph Swainson’s Hawk. Thanks for the tip, Lynn.
In total, we counted 69 species, including all of the most common January gulls and terns, and many “backyard” birds. Good trip.