The Birding Hub
The Birding Hub

Birding Near Outer Banks, NC

28 birding locations within 50 miles

North Carolina · United States

28

Locations

68+

Species

7

Habitats

3

Peak Seasons

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Birding Locations Near Outer Banks

Coastal birding habitat

North Carolina

1.8 mi away

Moderate

Cape Hatteras National Seashore - Salvo Day Use Area

Coastal birding hotspot in North Carolina with 210 recorded species.

CoastalSpringFall
Coastal birding habitat

North Carolina

7.5 mi away

Challenging

Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge

Coastal birding hotspot in North Carolina with 322 recorded species.

CoastalWetlandSpringFall
Coastal birding habitat

North Carolina

9.4 mi away

Challenging

Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge - South Pond

Coastal birding hotspot in North Carolina with 256 recorded species.

CoastalLakeWetlandSpringFall
Waterfowl on impoundments at Pea Island NWR on the Outer Banks

North Carolina

9.7 mi away

Easy

Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge

Outer Banks refuge famous for wintering waterfowl and migrant shorebirds.

CoastalMarshWetlandWinterFall
Coastal birding habitat

North Carolina

11.1 mi away

Challenging

Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge - North Pond

Coastal birding hotspot in North Carolina with 308 recorded species.

CoastalLakeWetlandSpringFall
Coastal birding habitat

North Carolina

12.4 mi away

Challenging

Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge - Salt Flats Wildlife Trail

Coastal birding hotspot in North Carolina with 248 recorded species.

CoastalWetlandSpringFall
Coastal birding habitat

North Carolina

14.8 mi away

Challenging

Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge - Old Coast Guard Station

Coastal birding hotspot in North Carolina with 299 recorded species.

CoastalWetlandSpringFall
Coastal birding habitat

North Carolina

16.4 mi away

Moderate

Cape Hatteras National Seashore - Oregon Inlet Beach (North)

Coastal birding hotspot in North Carolina with 233 recorded species.

CoastalSpringFall
a white bird standing on top of a tree in the water

North Carolina

18.8 mi away

Challenging

Bodie Island Lighthouse & Pond

Coastal birding hotspot in North Carolina with 301 recorded species.

CoastalLakeSpringFall
Coastal birding habitat

North Carolina

20.2 mi away

Challenging

Bodie Island

Coastal birding hotspot in North Carolina with 249 recorded species.

CoastalSpringFall
Coastal birding habitat

North Carolina

21.2 mi away

Moderate

Cape Hatteras National Seashore - Old Lighthouse

Coastal birding hotspot in North Carolina with 222 recorded species.

CoastalSpringFall
Coastal birding habitat

North Carolina

23.4 mi away

Moderate

Cape Hatteras National Seashore - Cape Point

Coastal birding hotspot in North Carolina with 296 recorded species.

CoastalSpringFall
Forest birding habitat

North Carolina

23.6 mi away

Moderate

South Nags Head

Forest birding hotspot in North Carolina with 204 recorded species.

ForestWetlandSpringFall
River/Riparian birding habitat

North Carolina

28.2 mi away

Moderate

Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge - Wildlife Drive

River/Riparian birding hotspot in North Carolina with 247 recorded species.

River/RiparianWetlandSpringFall
Forest birding habitat

North Carolina

29.1 mi away

Moderate

Hatteras Point

Forest birding hotspot in North Carolina with 229 recorded species.

ForestWetlandSpringFall
Lake birding habitat

North Carolina

30.2 mi away

Moderate

Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge - Sawyer Lake Road

Lake birding hotspot in North Carolina with 212 recorded species.

LakeRiver/RiparianWetlandSpringFall
River/Riparian birding habitat

North Carolina

30.6 mi away

Moderate

Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge

River/Riparian birding hotspot in North Carolina with 271 recorded species.

River/RiparianWetlandSpringFall
Coastal birding habitat

North Carolina

31.1 mi away

Challenging

Ocracoke Island - North End

Coastal birding hotspot in North Carolina with 200 recorded species.

CoastalSpringFall
Forest birding habitat

North Carolina

31.8 mi away

Moderate

Nags Head Woods Ecological Preserve

Forest birding hotspot in North Carolina with 237 recorded species.

ForestSpringFall
River/Riparian birding habitat

North Carolina

34.2 mi away

Moderate

Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge - River Road

River/Riparian birding hotspot in North Carolina with 208 recorded species.

River/RiparianWetlandSpringFall
Lake birding habitat

North Carolina

34.8 mi away

Moderate

Mattamuskeet National Wildlife Refuge - Lake Landing

Lake birding hotspot in North Carolina with 258 recorded species.

LakeWetlandSpringFall
Coastal birding habitat

North Carolina

36.9 mi away

Challenging

Ocracoke Island

Coastal birding hotspot in North Carolina with 239 recorded species.

CoastalSpringFall
Wetland birding habitat

North Carolina

38.9 mi away

Moderate

Mattamuskeet National Wildlife Refuge - Wildlife Drive

Wetland birding hotspot in North Carolina with 236 recorded species.

WetlandSpringFall
Wetland birding habitat

North Carolina

41.7 mi away

Moderate

Mattamuskeet National Wildlife Refuge

Wetland birding hotspot in North Carolina with 285 recorded species.

WetlandSpringFall
Wetland birding habitat

North Carolina

42.3 mi away

Moderate

Mattamuskeet National Wildlife Refuge - Causeway

Wetland birding hotspot in North Carolina with 214 recorded species.

WetlandSpringFall
Forest birding habitat

North Carolina

43.9 mi away

Moderate

J. Morgan Futch Game Land

Forest birding hotspot in North Carolina with 209 recorded species.

ForestWetlandSpringFall
Urban Park birding habitat

North Carolina

45.0 mi away

Easy

Duck Park Boardwalk

Urban Park birding hotspot in North Carolina with 258 recorded species.

Urban ParkSpringFall
Forest birding habitat

North Carolina

46.9 mi away

Moderate

Palmetto Peartree Preserve

Forest birding hotspot in North Carolina with 202 recorded species.

ForestWetlandSpringFall

Top Species Near Outer Banks

Notable birds found at locations within 50 miles:

Canada GooseKilldeerEastern PhoebeNorthern MockingbirdBuffleheadBlack ScoterBlack-bellied PloverRazorbillBonaparte's GullLaughing GullTundra SwanNorthern ShovelerGadwallAmerican Black DuckSnow GoosePiping PloverPeregrine FalconTricolored HeronRing-billed GullAmerican Herring GullGreen-winged TealAmerican WigeonClapper RailMallardRed-breasted Merganser+43 more

Habitats & Seasons

Habitat Types:

Wetland18 locations
Coastal14 locations
Lake5 locations
Forest5 locations
River/Riparian4 locations
Marsh1 location
Urban Park1 location

Best Seasons:

Spring27 locations
Fall28 locations
Winter28 locations

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best birding spots near Outer Banks, NC?▼
Top birding locations within 50 miles of Outer Banks include Cape Hatteras National Seashore - Salvo Day Use Area, Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge, Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge - South Pond, Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge, Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge - North Pond. These spots offer coastal, wetland, lake habitats.
What birds can I see near Outer Banks?▼
Birders near Outer Banks can spot species including Canada Goose, Killdeer, Eastern Phoebe, Northern Mockingbird, Bufflehead, Black Scoter, Black-bellied Plover, Razorbill. The area's 7 habitat types support diverse birdlife year-round.
When is the best time for birding near Outer Banks?▼
The best seasons for birding near Outer Banks are Spring and Fall and Winter. Spring migration is particularly rewarding. Fall brings migrating raptors and songbirds.
How many birding locations are near Outer Banks?▼
There are 28 documented birding locations within 50 miles of Outer Banks, NC, ranging from 1.8 to 46.9 miles from the city center.

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