Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge

North Carolina · Southeast

EasyOfficial Site

Habitat

CoastalMarshWetland

Best Seasons

WinterFall

Difficulty

Easy

Best Months

November-February

Entrance Fee

Free

Hours

Dawn to dusk daily

About This Location

Pea Island NWR on the Outer Banks is a premier destination for wintering waterfowl and migrating shorebirds along the Atlantic Flyway. The North Pond trail offers easy access to impoundments where Snow Geese, Tundra Swans, and ducks gather by the thousands.

Location

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Notable Species

Tundra Swan Snow Goose Piping Plover Peregrine Falcon Tricolored Heron

Live Bird Data

Notable Sightings

Bullock's Oriole

Icterus bullockii

3/4/20261601 York Street, New Bern, North Carolina, US (35.119, -77.097)Behind 3128 Elizabeth St.1 observed

Tundra Swan

Cygnus columbianus

3/4/2026Ecusta Pond (private)1 observed

Sandhill Crane

Antigone canadensis

3/4/2026Halcyon Drive and Maples Rd

Ross's Goose

Anser rossii

3/4/2026Carolina Lake1 observed

Harlequin Duck

Histrionicus histrionicus

3/4/2026Fort Macon SP--Visitor's Center1 observed

Iceland Gull

Larus glaucoides

3/4/2026Bodie Island--Coquina Beach1 observed

Tundra Swan

Cygnus columbianus

3/4/2026Ecusta Pond (private)1 observed

Tundra Swan

Cygnus columbianus

3/4/2026Ecusta Pond (private)1 observed

Harlequin Duck

Histrionicus histrionicus

3/4/2026Fort Macon SP--Beach1 observed

Harlequin Duck

Histrionicus histrionicus

3/4/2026Fort Macon SP--Beach1 observed

Yellow-breasted Chat

Icteria virens

3/4/2026Old Bynum Bridge1 observed

Yellow-breasted Chat

Icteria virens

3/4/2026Old Bynum Bridge1 observed

Yellow-breasted Chat

Icteria virens

3/4/2026Old Bynum Bridge1 observed

Orange-crowned Warbler

Leiothlypis celata

3/4/2026314 John Cline Rd, Cherryville US-NC 35.31314, -81.454841 observed

Tundra Swan

Cygnus columbianus

3/4/2026Ecusta Pond (private)1 observed

Tundra Swan

Cygnus columbianus

3/4/2026Ecusta Pond (private)1 observed

Tundra Swan

Cygnus columbianus

3/4/2026Ecusta Pond (private)1 observed

Lesser Black-backed Gull

Larus fuscus

3/4/2026Jordan Lake SRA--Ebenezer Point20 observed

Tundra Swan

Cygnus columbianus

3/4/2026Ecusta Pond (private)1 observed

Nelson's Sparrow (Atlantic Coast)

Ammospiza nelsoni

3/4/2026Hatteras Point1 observed

Recent Observations

Winter Wren

home

3/4/2026

1 birds

Turkey Vulture

US-17 S, New Bern US-NC 35.10114, -77.16886

3/4/2026

1 birds

American Crow

US-17 S, New Bern US-NC 35.10114, -77.16886

3/4/2026

4 birds

Eastern Towhee

Carolina Lake

3/4/2026

1 birds

Pied-billed Grebe

Carolina Lake

3/4/2026

1 birds

Ring-necked Duck

Carolina Lake

3/4/2026

1 birds

Canada Goose

Carolina Lake

3/4/2026

22 birds

Song Sparrow

Carolina Lake

3/4/2026

1 birds

Red-tailed Hawk

7350 Bus US-17, Pollocksville US-NC 35.03997, -77.22146

3/4/2026

1 birds

Killdeer

4913 Bridges St, Morehead City US-NC 34.73706, -76.79152

3/4/2026

1 birds

Downy Woodpecker

Gribble Gap Trail

3/4/2026

1 birds

Northern Cardinal

Gribble Gap Trail

3/4/2026

2 birds

Carolina Chickadee

Gribble Gap Trail

3/4/2026

2 birds

Common Raven

1789–1793 Gilliam Mountain Rd, Hendersonville US-NC 35.38300, -82.32015

3/4/2026

1 birds

Red-bellied Woodpecker

Gribble Gap Trail

3/4/2026

2 birds

Yellow-rumped Warbler

25200 North Turnpike Road, Wagram, North Carolina, US (34.892, -79.445)

3/4/2026

1 birds

Tufted Titmouse

25200 North Turnpike Road, Wagram, North Carolina, US (34.892, -79.445)

3/4/2026

2 birds

Eastern Bluebird

25200 North Turnpike Road, Wagram, North Carolina, US (34.892, -79.445)

3/4/2026

2 birds

Chipping Sparrow

25200 North Turnpike Road, Wagram, North Carolina, US (34.892, -79.445)

3/4/2026

10 birds

Red-shouldered Hawk

25200 North Turnpike Road, Wagram, North Carolina, US (34.892, -79.445)

3/4/2026

1 birds

Birding Tips

1
Walk the North Pond trail for the best variety of waterfowl
2
Check the ocean side for pelagic species during nor'easters

Amenities

Parking

Restrooms

Trails

Observation Platforms

Nearby Attractions

Cape Hatteras Lighthouse

Birding Guides

Bird Identification Tips: How to ID Birds Like a Pro

11 min read

The Beginner's Guide to Birding

8 min read

How to Start a Birding Life List

9 min read

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the best time to visit Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge for birding?▼

The best months to visit Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge for birding are November-February. The best seasons are Winter and Fall.

What birds can I see at Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge?▼

Notable species at Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge include Tundra Swan, Snow Goose, Piping Plover, Peregrine Falcon, Tricolored Heron. The area supports coastal, marsh, wetland habitats.

How difficult is birding at Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge?▼

Birding at Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge is rated as Easy. The trails and viewing areas are accessible for birders of all experience levels.

Is there an entrance fee at Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge?▼

There is no entrance fee at Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge. Hours: Dawn to dusk daily.

What amenities are available at Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge?▼

Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge offers the following amenities: Parking, Restrooms, Trails, Observation Platforms.