Nature Trips
Being a wildlife festival - almost all of our trips are nature trips. The ones listed here are those that did not also fit into other catagories.
Tuesday November 9, 2010 Trips
Introduction to Pocosin Lakes Refuge (New)
Tour the Visitor Center and learn about the refuge, its history, and wildlife. View exhibits and an award-winning video of the refuge. Then take a stroll on the interpretative boardwalk along the Scuppernong River behind the Visitor Center. Walter B. Jones, Sr. Center for the Sounds. Easy. FREE. Donations to Friends of Pocosin Lakes happily accepted by the leader at the end of the program. 1-3 pm. Ernie Marshall.
Wednesday November 10, 2010 Trips
Nags Head Woods Preserve
Explore a globally-rare maritime deciduous forest’s towering dunes, dark swamps and other ecological communities with the nature Conservancy’s northeast regional steward. Learn about conservation efforts in this unique preserve that contains the richest biological diversity on the outer banks. Watch for various forms of wildlife and both northern and southern species of native flora. Nags Head Woods Ecological Preserve. Moderate. Cost $20. 1-3 pm. Aaron McCall.
Shifting Sands
Come explore the beach near Oregon Inlet on a walk with local author and Coast
keeper Jan DeBlieu. She will discuss the natural processes of barrier island movement and the creatures that live in the shifting sands. Participants also will examine fist-hand attempts by humans to draw a line in the sand and the impact these efforts have had on migratory birds. Oregon Inlet Bridge south parking lot. Moderate. Cost $20. 2-3:30 pm. Jan Deblieu.
Red Wolf Howling Tram Tour (New) (Family Friendly)
Ride into the Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge in the refuge’s open-air tram to “howl up” the wolves. Learn about endangered and elusive red wolves and hopefully experience the opportunity of a lifetime to hear their harmonious howls. Flashlights helpful but not necessary. Creef Cut parking area. Cost $20; two children 12 and under may accompany paying adult for no charge. 5-7 pm. Refuge
staff.
Thursday November 11, 2010 Trips
Tracking Wildlife on Creef Cut Trail (Family Friendly) (A)
Can you figure out what wildlife use this trail? Clues are everywhere but what does the evidence tell us? Discover why tracking is important to scientists as well as others. This leisurely stroll and activity is designed for the young and young at heart! Learn how to track wildlife in your own backyard. Creef Cut parking area. Cost $20; two children 12 and under may accompany paying adult for no charge. 10-11:30 am. Cindy Heffley, refuge staff.
Alligator River Refuge Tram Tour (New) (Family Friendly)
Enjoy the beauty of the Refuge from the open-air tram! Sit back and enjoy the ride with your hands free to take fantastic photographs or gaze at wildlife up close through binoculars. Enjoy a lively narrative about the natural history of the refuge and hear fascinating stories of past and present uses of the land. Find out if there really were buffalo in Buffalo City. Discover techniques used to manage the mosaic of habitats for native wildlife. Hot beverages will be available to keep you warm on the tour. Creef Cut parking area. Cost $20; two children 12 and under may accompany paying adult for no charge. 12:30-3:30 pm. Cindy Heffley, refuge staff.
Big Tree Hike (Family Friendly)
Come join the Park director for a hike through Pettigrew Sate Park’s virgin forest. Learn about the Park’s champion trees that include several with diameters between six and 10 feet. Observe remnants from 2003’s Hurricane Isabel. Some hiking will be off the trail. Pettigrew State Park office. Moderate. FREE. 2-4 pm. Doug LeQuire.
Refuge at Night Tram Tour (New) (Family Friendly) (A)
After a brief overview of the refuge, climb aboard the refuge’s open-air tram and take in all the sights and sounds of the night! Experience the beauty of the area as the sun sets and darkness falls upon the land. This trip is a rare opportunity to visit Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge after it closes at night using spotlights to watch for deer, bear, birds and other wildlife. Join expert naturalists for an experience not to be forgotten. Hot beverages will be available to keep you warm on the tour. Creef Cut parking area. Cost $20; two children 12 and under may accompany paying adult for no charge. 4-7 pm. Cindy Heffley, refuge staff.
Red Wolf Howling Safari
Caravan into the Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge to “howl up” the wolves. Learn about endangered and elusive red wolves and hopefully experience the opportunity of a lifetime to hear their harmonious howls. Flashlights helpful but not necessary. Creef Cut parking area. Cost $20. 5-7 pm. Refuge staff.
Friday November 12, 2010 Trips
From Sea to Sound
Discover how plant life adapts to constant ocean breezes. Take a walk across Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge from ocean to salt marsh and learn about the interaction of man and wildlife through the management techniques used. Find out how many habitat types are on Pea Island. What wildlife species does each habitat support? How much management does each habitat require to support good populations? Pea Island Refuge Visitor Center. Moderate. Cost $20. 8-10 am. Cindy Heffley, refuge staff.
A Winter Day - Lake Mattamuskeet (With Boxed Lunch)
Join fellow participants for a tasty boxed lunch and private showing of the award-winning video “A Winter Day at Lake Mattamuskeet.” Filmed on Mattamuskeet National Wildlife Refuge, this video has no narration, only the natural sounds of wildlife on the lake shown through beautiful cinematography and music arranged by musician and songwriter, Blake Scott. This will appeal to nature lovers, birders and anyone who appreciates the beauty of the outdoors, Lake Mattamuskeet and the Refuge. Mattamuskeet Refuge Office. Cost $20. Noon-1:15 pm. Dr. Lewis Forrest, executive director, The Mattamuskeet Foundation.
Pea Island Refuge Tram Tour (New) (Family Friendly)
Climb aboard the refuge open-air tram and join refuge manager Mike Bryant as you are taken around the North Pond Trail at Pea Island. Find out what it takes to keep the refuge running smoothly. Learn why Pea Island attracts not only thousands of human visitors each year but also thousands of birds and other wildlife. Please be prepared for a variety of temperatures and the possibility of biting insects on this tour. Hot beverages will be available to keep you warm on the tour. Pea Island Visitor Center. Cost $20; two children 12 and under may accompany paying adult for no charge. 1-3 pm. Refuge Manager Mike Bryant.
Keynote Reception
There just can’t be a better way to end the day than taking a leisurely stroll through the North Carolina Aquarium on Roanoke Island while enjoying a relaxing
drink and then having dinner right in front of the shark tank. And when dinner is over, sit back and enjoy the great humor, music and insight offered by this year’s keynote speaker, naturalist, editor, musician and birder, Bill Thompson who comes armed with rave reviews and books to sign! Thompson will talk about the Perils of Birding but you won’t need to be a birder to enjoy this lively monologue. Cost $35. Social 6 pm. Dinner 7 pm. Followed by keynote, Bill Thompson.
Visit http://www.WingsOverWater.org/Keynote.html for more information.
Saturday November 13, 2010 Trips
Explore the Shore
Come visit a place where geologic time moves in fast forward. Join a National Park Service Ranger to explore the beaches of Cape Hatteras National Seashore and discover ways that plants, animals, and people adapt to this ever-changing environment. Cape Hatteras Lighthouse visitor parking area. Moderate to Strenuous. FREE. 10-11:30 am. National Park Service ranger.
Tracking Wildlife on Creef Cut Trail (Family Friendly) (B)
Can you figure out what wildlife use this trail? Clues are everywhere but what does the evidence tell us? Discover why tracking is important to scientists as well as others. This leisurely stroll and activity is designed for the young and young at heart! Learn how to track wildlife in your own backyard. Creef Cut parking area. Cost $20; two children 12 and under may accompany paying adult for no charge. 10-11:30 am. Cindy Heffley, refuge staff.
Wild Times at Cape Hatteras Secondary School (Family Friendly)
Join students and faculty for this FREE event especially for children. Learn about
the programs the students are doing in partnership with the Coastal Wildlife Refuge Society and other local organizations. See what’s inside an owl pellet, build a bird nesting box, and participate in other fun activities! Cape Hatteras Secondary School. FREE. No registration required. Noon-5:30 pm. Linda Austin.
Refuge at Night Tram Tour (New) (Family Friendly) (B)
After a brief overview of the refuge, climb aboard the refuge’s open-air tram and take in all the sights and sounds of the night! Experience the beauty of the area as the sun sets and darkness falls upon the land. This trip is a rare opportunity to visit Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge after it closes at night using spotlights to watch for deer, bear, birds and other wildlife. Join expert naturalists for an experience not to be forgotten. Hot beverages will be available to keep you warm on the tour. Creef Cut parking area. Cost $20; two children 12 and under may accompany paying adult for no charge. 4-7 pm. Cindy Heffley, refuge staff.
