Thursday, January 17, 2013

Mattamuskeet NWR

Howdee all,

Before heading out to explore for the first time

  Mattamuskeet NWR

We stopped at Lake Phelps, just a hop skip and a short walk from our campsite at Pettigrew State Park.

It was foggy…

We did see this lone Forster’s Tern

Mattamuskeet NWR_002

It was about a forty minute drive to the refugee from our campground.

We arrived on the road the splits the lake in two.

Refuge’s main feature is Lake Mattamuskeet (40,000 acres) and is North Carolina’s largest natural lake.
Significant wintering populations of ducks, Canada geese, snow geese and tundra swans. Also, concentrations of bald eagles and other raptors, wading birds and shorebirds occur seasonally.
Significant fishery resources including largemouth bass, sunfish (bream), white perch, crappie, alewives (herring) and blue crabs are associated with Lake Mattamuskeet and canals.
Habitats consist of open water (40,000 acres), freshwater marsh (3,180 acres), forested wetlands (3500 acres), managed wetlands or impoundments (2600 acres), croplands (520 acres), and forested uplands/admin. lands (80 acres) ~via http://www.fws.gov/mattamuskeet/nathist.html

 

Map of Mattamuskeet National Wildlife Refuge

We started birding..

Mattamuskeet NWR_005The morning started out blustery and we were bundled up.

We found these areas that the water was allowed to flow thru attracted birds…

Mattamuskeet NWR_006Great Blue Heron

Mattamuskeet NWR_009A Forster’s Tern diving for fish..

It is successful

Mattamuskeet NWR_013There were a few clouds to the east

Rain was forecast, but so far no rain.

Mattamuskeet NWR_015We continued to bird the sides of the road..Stopping at most of the pull offs

Mattamuskeet NWR_017And boardwalks..

Mattamuskeet NWR_018Looking for whatever we could find..

Do you see two birds below?

Mattamuskeet NWR_020We leave the main road and take the road into the park toward the Refuge center.

Many ducks, geese and swan.

Mattamuskeet NWR_029Until a Bald Eagle fly's thru..

then they take to the air.

Many different shapes and sizes..

Mattamuskeet NWR_026There we turtles everywhere!

Most times when I walk by turtles they seem skittish and go into the water..

not these turtles..

Mattamuskeet NWR_030One bird I didn’t expect to see here

Common Gallinule

The ranger said there are two being seen in the park.

This was the one bird that ebird flagged when I entered my bird list last night.

Mattamuskeet NWR_035It started to cloud up a bit more..and becomes warm.

We shed some layers..

Mattamuskeet NWR_037

Mattamuskeet NWR_045

We birded a few of the little peninsulas that jut off the park road.

Lots of sparrows and a surprise Black and White warbler.

Many hiding in the reeds.

Mattamuskeet NWR_048Find the Great Blue Heron Smile

Mattamuskeet NWR_052The end of the road..

And Wood Duck land.

Mattamuskeet NWR_056Wood Duck box

We did have a brief shower soon after I took this shot..

and headed for the car.

Mattamuskeet NWR_057It quickly cleared and the last light of the day

lit up the grasses and birds.

Mattamuskeet NWR_060Tundra Swan and ducks..

Mattamuskeet NWR_065

Mattamuskeet NWR_072The sun starts to leave us and it becomes chilly …Jeff bundles up.

Mattamuskeet NWR_068

Our last glimpse of birds before dark..

Mattamuskeet NWR_074Pintail, Coot, Shovelers

Another Lovely Day!

Mattamuskeet NWR_075

Check out our bird list for the day…

Mattamuskeet NWR_077

Jan 16, 2013
Lake Mattamuskeet NWR
Traveling
15 miles
420 Minutes
Observers: 2
All birds reported? Yes
Comments:
Submitted from BirdLog NA for iOS, version 1.5.1
Snow Goose
Canada Goose
Tundra Swan
Wood Duck
Gadwall
American Wigeon
American Black Duck
Mallard
Blue-winged Teal
Northern Shoveler
Northern Pintail
Green-winged Teal
Canvasback
Bufflehead
Hooded Merganser
Ruddy Duck
Pied-billed Grebe
Double-crested Cormorant
American White Pelican
Great Blue Heron
Great Egret
Snowy Egret
Glossy Ibis
Turkey Vulture
Bald Eagle
Northern Harrier
American Kestrel
American Coot
Bonaparte's Gull
Ring-billed Gull
Great Black-backed Gull
Forster's Tern
Mourning Dove
Belted Kingfisher
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Downy Woodpecker
Pileated Woodpecker
Eastern Phoebe
Carolina Chickadee
Tufted Titmouse
Carolina Wren
House Wren
Winter Wren
Golden-crowned Kinglet
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
American Robin
Northern Mockingbird
European Starling
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Palm Warbler
Black-and-white Warbler
Common Yellowthroat
Chipping Sparrow
Savannah Sparrow
Song Sparrow
Swamp Sparrow
White-throated Sparrow
Northern Cardinal
Red-winged Blackbird
Eastern Meadowlark
Common Grackle
Brown-headed Cowbird
Common Gallinule -- One bird seen and photographed - 2 birds at refugee

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