Wednesday November 4, 2009 Trips
Pea Island Refuge Sunrise Kayak Tour
Enjoy a sunrise kayak tour though Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge. The shallow waters bring an abundance of shore birds. Oystercatchers, plovers, gulls, cormorants and pelicans gather to feed. On occasion, catch a glimpse of migratory Snow Geese. This is a stunningly beautiful paddle between islands of marsh grass during the first light of day. New Inlet boat access. 6 to 9 am. Cost $35. Kitty Hawk Kayak and Surf School
South Pond Beginning Birding
This program designed for beginning birders includes a rare opportunity to bird an area of Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge usually closed to visitors. Pea Island Refuge Headquarters. 7:30 to 11 am. Moderate. Cost $25. Lee Yoder
Corolla Birding
Heritage Park and the North Carolina Estuarine Reserve are among the best “migrant traps” on the Outer Banks. Sedge and Marsh Wrens and late migrating and wintering sparrows are possible. Wetland boardwalks can produce King Rails, Virginia Rails or Soras. Tidal flats may yield Willets, yellowlegs and other shorebirds. Outer Banks Center for Wildlife Education. 8 to 11 am. Cost $20. Ben Watkins
Mattamuskeet Refuge Birding
Meet at the Mattamuskeet Lodge and learn about the refuge before departing for the Causeway, Entrance Road and Wildlife Drive to view thousands of waterfowl as well as shorebirds, waders and raptors. Explore other parts of the Mattamuskeet National Wildlife Refuge as time allows. Mattamuskeet Lodge. 8 am to noon. Moderate. Cost $20. Ernie Marshall
Birding 101 (NEW!)
Using a combination of classroom discussion and outside observation, participants will learn techniques to locate, observe and identify birds. Designed for the beginning birder, others may learn methods to expand their birding skills as well. Jockey’s Ridge Visitor Center Auditorium. 9 to 11 am. Cost $20. Lena Gallitano
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 which 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. 9 to 11 am. Moderate to strenuous. Cost $20. Aaron McCall
'A Winter Day - Lake Mattamuskeet' (w/boxed lunch)
Join fellow participants for a tasty boxed lunch and private showing of the award-winning video “A Winter Day – 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. Noon to 1:15 pm. Cost $20. Dr. Lewis Forrest, Executive Director, The Mattamuskeet Foundation
Chicamacomico Life-Saving Station (NEW!)
Learn about America’s forgotten heroes with an overview of the station’s history including highlights, stories of heroic feats, and the retelling of the dramatic S.S. Mirlo rescue of 1918. See the actual boat used during the rescue. After this special program, staff and volunteers will be available to answer questions you may have while you tour the facility at your own pace. In addition to the site being listed on the National Register of Historic Places, it also was featured in the motion picture “Nights in Rodanthe”. Chicamacomico Life-Saving Station. Noon to 2 pm. Cost $20. James Charlet
Currituck Beach Lighthouse and the Keeper’s Quarters
Imagine a day in the life of Currituck Beach lighthouse keepers of the U.S. Lifesaving Service in the late 1800’s and early 1900’s. Tour the private quarters of the Victorian 1876 Keeper’s House and other historic structures on the grounds. Learn about the duties of keepers and their families in the isolated seaside outpost. Climb 214 steps to the top of the 1875 Currituck Beach Lighthouse for an exhilarating birds-eye view of the northern Outer Banks with close inspection of the operational first order Fresnel lens that can be seen 18 miles out to sea. Currituck Beach Lighthouse. 1 to 3 pm. Moderate to strenuous. Cost $30. Meghan Agresto, Site Manager, and Luis Garcia, Keeper
South Pond Beginning Birding
This program designed for beginning birders includes a rare opportunity to bird an area of Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge usually closed to visitors. Pea Island Refuge Headquarters. 1 to 4:30 pm. Moderate. Cost $25. Ricky Davis
Lake Mattamuskeet History and Ecology Tour
Lake Mattamuskeet, the largest natural lake in North Carolina, is the site of America’s most famous pump-supported land reclamation project that drained the lake three times using the world’s largest capacity pumping plant. The Mattamuskeet Drainage District’s drainage project, from 1909 to 1932, excavated 130 miles of large navigable canals in and around the lake that have permanently altered its ecology. Dr. Lewis Forrest will guide a walking tour while narrating an overview of the history of the lake and Mattamuskeet Lodge, which was originally the pumping plant. In the event of inclement weather, the program will be held indoors. Mattamuskeet Refuge Office. 1:30 to 3:30 pm. Cost $20. Dr. Lewis Forrest, Executive Director, The Mattamuskeet Foundation
Shifting Sands
Come explore the beach near Oregon Inlet on a walk with local author and Coastkeeper 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 first-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. 2 to 3:30 pm. Moderate. Cost $20. Jan DeBlieu
Roanoke Island Marsh Gameland Birding (NEW!)
Visit this black needlerush marsh with tidal creeks and 40-acre waterfowl impoundment in search of rails and wintering waterfowl. The short loop walking trail leads to the impoundment and observation decks. If water levels are low, good numbers of shorebirds may also be present. Gameland parking area (Roanoke Island). 2 to 4 pm. Cost $20. Peggy Eubank
Behind the Scenes with Photographer Mike Halminski (NEW!)
Spend time with local photographer Mike Halminski. Get acquainted in his gallery in Waves. Learn about digital photography process and workflow. A trip to the beach will be included to look for flocks of shorebirds to photograph. A short telephoto lens is preferred. Focus will be on feeding and flight behavior of individual birds and flocks. Michael Halminski Photo Gallery. 2:30 to 5:30 pm. Cost $30. Mike Halminski
Pea Island Sunset Kayak Tour
One of the most beautiful paddles. Enjoy an incredible view of the sun setting over the Pamlico Sound while oystercatchers, cormorants, gulls, plovers, herons and egrets feed at dusk. Paddling through the shallow sound waters, watch stingrays glide past the kayaks and Brown Pelicans dive for fish. New Inlet boat access. 3 to 6 pm. Cost $35. Kitty Hawk Kites
Nature Photography
Learn how to move beyond snapshots and start taking photographs of nature. This presentation will provide tips and techniques designed to improve photography and produce more artistic results. Part of the class will include an outdoor photographic session and a review of participants’ digital images. Walter B. Jones, Sr. Center for the Sounds. 3 to 7 pm. Cost $30. Mark Buckler
Owl Prowl
Hoot up Barred Owls, Screech Owls, and maybe even a Great Horned Owl. Observe classic owl behavior. Program will begin with a brief presentation on natural history, distribution and identification of local species. Transportation provided. Creef Cut parking area. 4:30 to 7:30 pm. Cost $25. Brian Bockhahn
