Sierra Club
Heron
Outer Banks Bird News Egret

Outer Banks Eagle Photographed by Jeff Lewis

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Noted Author Pete Dunne to Give 2008
Wings Over Water Keynote Address

Pete Dunne is vice president of the New Jersey Audubon Society and a director of the Society's Cape May Bird Observatory. He is author of The Wind Masters, Hawks in Flight, The Feather Quest, Dunne’s Essential Field Guide Companion. Dunne has also written regular columns in birding magazines and the New Jersey Sunday Section of the New York Times. In his writing and speaking endeavors, the author is known to co-mingle information, insight and fantasy to capture the minds and hearts of his audience. This year’s keynote program is titled “Twenty-five Things That Changed Birding.” The keynote dinner will be held at 6 p.m., Friday, Nov. 7, at Roanoke Island Festival Park. Cost is $30 and advanced registration is required. The festival runs from Nov. 4th until Nov. 9th.
 
New Study Links Off Road Beach
Driving to Oystercatcher Deaths
 Krahe
Krahe Art Print
Hurzlmeier, Rudi
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Framed   Mounted
A recent study by members of the zoology department at North Carolina State University showed a direct relationship between beach driving and mortality rates of the American oystercatchers, a federally protected species of bird that nests on the shores of Cape Hatteras National Seashore. The birds are members of one of the species involved in a recent lawsuit filed concerning beach driving on Hatteras Island.
Cardinal Grosbeak
Cardinal Grosbeak Art Print
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Framed   Mounted
 
 
More Than 25% of the Wildlife on
Earth has Disappeared Since 1970
According to data compiled by the Zoological Society of London, populations of land-based species fell by 25%, marine by 28% and freshwater by 29%. “Humans are wiping out about 1% of all other species every year, and one of the "great extinction episodes" in the Earth history is presently under way according to the society. Pollution, over-fishing, hunting farming and urban expansion were blamed.
 
New Program Helps Identify and Conserve
Areas that are Vital to Endangered Birds
Called the Important Bird Area, or IBA, the program and coordinated by the National Audubon Society, the program helps identify and conserve areas that are vital to birds and other biodiversity. Once an area is selected, priorities are set for habitat conservation based on science and by promoting positive action to safeguard vital bird habitats. Programs inventories of an area provide a scientific method for prioritizing conservation activities and allocating limited conservation dollars to be used to ensure the maximum benefit to birds.
Migration South
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2008 Great Backyard Bird Count Results
Totals from the 2008 Great Backyard Bird Count for the following Dare County towns are in. Kitty Hawk , Kill Devil Hills, Nags Head, Buxton, Corolla, Avon, Hatteras Also check out the total count for North Carolina
 
Water Bird Populations Declining
Along North Carolina Coastline
According to a survey coordinated by the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission, Black skimmers, gull-billed terns and common terns continue to show dramatic declines in population numbers mostly due to habitat loss and degradation from coastal development and associated human activities. Full article
 
Kitty Hawk Christmas Bird Count
 
Carolina Bird Club Members and
friends adding up the day's count
Sixteen Outer Banks bird enthusiasts came together on Saturday night, December 15 after a day of watching and counting birds for the annual Kitty Hawk Christmas bird count. Meeting inside the Kill Devil Hills public library after a long, overcast day of blistering 20-30 mph north east winds, count compiler Jeff Lewis of the Carolina Bird Club collected each individual’s day-long count and thoughts for the day. Twelve counters were unable to attend the meeting and called their numbers in to Jeff. The count was sponsored by the Audubon society. Highlights of the day included a total of 116 different species of birds spotted in the area. A rare European bird called a Little Gull was spotted by one lucky watcher. In addition, a Clay Colored Sparrow and Black and White Warbler were also spotted during this year’s count. Both bird species are normally much further south at this time of the year. Final results of the count will be posted at a later date.

 

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Blue Grosbeak

A Blue Grosbeak was spotted in Kitty Hawk on Saturday, May 5. Its normal diet includes insects as well as seeds.
European Bee Eater Perched on a Branch Stretching its Wings
European Bee Eater Perched on a Branch Stretching its Wings Photographic Print
Nigge, Klaus
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Conservation Groups Warn that 56 Species
of Birds threatened with Extinction in State
Chech Out the Latest
Waterfowl Migration Report
Eastern Screech Owl
Spotted at Lake Phelps
European Bee Eater Perched on a Branch Stretching its Wings
European Bee Eater Perched on a Branch Stretching its Wings Photographic Print
Nigge, Klaus
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Submitted by Jeff Lewis

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The Red Finch
Hand Fed Hummingbird
Watch this video of Ruby Throated
Hummingbirds being hand fed
Pea Island December 2006
Each fall large numbers of Whistling Swans arrive from the Artic tundra and winter in the fresh water ponds and surrounding marshes on Pea Island. This year the White Pelican is an unexpected visitor. Normally spotted only in California, Texas or Florida, they can be seen in large numbers on the fresh water pond near the Visitor’s Center.
A flock of migrating White Pelicans is a majestic sight, with wing spans of up to 8 feet. They often capture fish cooperatively, forming a long line, beating their wings and driving the prey into shallow water where they seize the fish in their large pouched bills.
In just one afternoon dozens of species can be seen including, Bufflehead Duck, Wood Duck, American Coots, American Wigeon, Common Merganser, White Ibis, Louisiana Heron, Great Blue Heron, White Pelican and Brown Pelican, Least Grebe, Common Loon and many others.
Swans at Pea Island 12/27/06 ...R Jarrell
Brown Pelican Landing at Pea Island. Check out
the metal band around the leg. 12/27/06...R Jarrell
Swans, Greb and Ducks
Whistling Swans wind surfing.
Female Bufflehead Duck
The wing span of a White Pelican can reach 8 feet.
White Ibis Posing for Camera at Pea Island 12/27/06...R Jarrell
 
Woman Feeds Hummingbirds by Hand
Jim Tribble of Kitty Hawk sent in these wonderful photos of a woman hand feeding Ruby-throated hummingbirds. Apparently she lives in a Hummingbird migrating fly zone and during migration season about 20 of them flew into her yard. Just for a lark, she took the little red dish and filled it with sugar water and holding it in her hands this was the results.
The Ruby-throated Hummingbird spends its summers in the eastern US. During the late fall they fly across the Gulf of Mexico to Mexico and Central America where they spend the coldest winter months. A few have been known stay in our area during the winter, probably because of old age or lack of maturity.
These birds require frequent feeding while active and during migration to keep up their energy levels. Due to their small size, they are vulnerable to insect-eating birds and animals. This is the only hummingbird that is commonly found in eastern North Carolina.


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Brown Pelican Photo by Jeff Lewis
 

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Egrets on Monkey Island. Photo by Linda Craney

Snowy Heron or White Egret
Snowy Heron or White Egret Giclee Print
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Read about the entangled Egret that
was rescued
by Kayakers in Kitty Hawk
 

 

Eagles in Kitty Hawk March 13,
2006. Photo by Reeni Jarrell
 
Welcome Back Home!

Egret in a Kitty Hawk Canal 7/16/05
Pair of Little Owls
Pair of Little Owls Photographic Print
Burton, Jane
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Eagle
Eagle Poster
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Dance of Cranes
Dance of Cranes Art Print
Morita, Haruyo
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Watch this Bluebird Opera in Kitty Hawk
Pictures by Maureen Jarrell

Let the show begin !

Moma has a brand new gig ! Building a nest for her young. First, it's
off to find some construction materials. These pine needles look good.

Now, it's back to the nest with the building supplies.

Watch this landing !

Now, let me show you how to get in !

It's a squeeze but the babies will be safe !

That was so much fun that I think I have to do it again.

Off to find more supplies, maybe get something to eat while i'm out!

Dad comes over to check moms progress and is told to get some groceries!

Bringing Home the Bacon !
 

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Rufous Hummingbird source

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Painted Bunting spotted in Manteo
 

photo by Jeff Lewis
Painted Buntings breed south of here, approx Morehead City area and South. These beautiful birds are not endangered, but are on the "Watch List" meaning they are declining and are a species of some concern. Here on the Outer Banks, we have a few some (most?) winters. For those people interested in attracting these birds to their yards remember that they need dense cover (shrubs and tangles) in which to hide and they prefer white millet to eat. This is my second year of entertaining Painted Buntings at my house and I have never seen them eat anything but millet! The adult males are unmistakable (even gaudy) and are readily noticed even though they are fairly secretive. The immature males and females are a nondescript green and can be easily overlooked so keep a sharp eye out! I am interested in the prevalence of these birds on the Outer Banks; if anyone in the area currently has Painted Buntings coming to their feeders and doesn't mind sharing that information, please contact me at 473-1086 or e-mail ....... Jeff Lewis
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Outer Banks Stories
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