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Monday, January 21, 2013

Pea with a side of Alligator

Howdee all,

Our last day at Pettigrew State Park.

Jeff and I decided to take the drive to Pea Island NWR rather than going back to Mattamuskeet NWR.

This was a new area to explore, and I wanted some sand to sink my toes in.

It was about a 45 minute drive from the park to the Island.

We stopped at a few pull offs on route to the Visitor Center.

Pea Island NWR_028Checking to see what birds were around.

Pea Island NWR_029We took the pathway from the visitor center under the arbor..

Pea Island NWR_035We were greeted by Grackle and Shorebirds

Pea Island NWR_046Yellow-rumped warbler

Pea Island NWR_033And a River Otter who entertained the crowd..

Pea Island NWR_044We followed the birding trail to the last platform overlooking ponds on either side of us.

Pea Island NWR_039Shorebirds, Ducks, Swan and Geese

Pea Island NWR_041

A Great Blue Heron struggles with a large fish..A nearby Pelican harasses the Heron in hopes of attaining the fish.

Pea Island NWR_059 The Heron gives up and drops the fish for the Brown Pelican

Pea Island NWR_062It didn’t take too long for the Pelican to down the fish.

Pea Island NWR_063We hang out and chat with other birders at the overlook and watch the birds.

Pea Island NWR_065

Its good to have a scope to pick up the distant birds.

The viewer above was useless.

Pea Island NWR_068Our stomachs began to grumble so we headed for the beach across the road to have our lunch.

Pea Island NWR_071And look for birds..

Pea Island NWR_072After lunch we drove south..

Sand was being cleared from the road.

Pea Island NWR_079

Pea Island NWR_076Homes were damaged.

Pea Island NWR_074Vulnerable..so close to the ocean..

I am assuming this is damage from Hurricane Sandy but not sure.

Pea Island NWR_075

Pea Island NWR_077Reinforcing with Sandbags...

I noticed the old sandbags like this torn and on the other side of the road.

Pea Island NWR_080After our short tour south we decided to Check out Alligator River NWR

We were told to go to the flooded fields.

Pea Island NWR_081To look for Ducks, Swan and shorebirds.

Do you see them?

Pea Island NWR_087Shorebirds..in the shallows

Pea Island NWR_097

It was a great day of Birding Fun!

We will go back to this area again.

Pea Island NWR_095

We are now packing up for a visit to CT and MA~Homey stays warm in NC while we freeze up north for a week.

Pea Island NWR_086

I will pack my thermals!

Pea Island NWR_102

 The below list is just from our Pea Island visit..I haven't compiled Alligator River bird list yet


Jan 19, 2013
Pea Island NWR--Salt Flats
Traveling
15 miles
200 Minutes
Observers: 2
All birds reported? Yes
Comments:
Submitted from BirdLog NA for iOS, version 1.5.1
Snow Goose
Canada Goose
Tundra Swan
Gadwall
American Wigeon
American Black Duck
Mallard
Northern Shoveler
Northern Pintail
Bufflehead
Hooded Merganser
Ruddy Duck
Common Loon
Pied-billed Grebe
Northern Gannet
Double-crested Cormorant
American White Pelican
Brown Pelican
Great Blue Heron
Great Egret
Tricolored Heron
White Ibis
Northern Harrier
Red-shouldered Hawk
American Coot
Black-bellied Plover
Killdeer
Greater Yellowlegs
Willet
Greater/Lesser Yellowlegs
Ruddy Turnstone
Sanderling
Dunlin
Short-billed Dowitcher
Short-billed/Long-billed Dowitcher
Laughing Gull
Ring-billed Gull
Herring Gull
Great Black-backed Gull
Mourning Dove
Belted Kingfisher
Northern Flicker
Tufted Titmouse
Gray Catbird
European Starling
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Savannah Sparrow
Song Sparrow
Red-winged Blackbird
Eastern Meadowlark
Boat-tailed Grackle

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