Things To Do in Nags Head: Birding

The Outer Banks is home an astounding variety of birds, including shorebirds, songbirds and birds of prey. Anytime you’re outdoors is prime for this thing to do in Nags Head. Keep your eyes open, and you’ll spot some kind of bird. When birding in Nags Head, NC, look to these places.

Birding

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The Outer Banks is often referred to as a birder’s paradise. Maritime forest areas, such as Nags Head Woods, Kitty Hawk Woods and Buxton Woods, have great birding options, as do Jockey’s Ridge State Park and Run Hill State Park. Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge and Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge are excellent spots for birding.

Wings Over Water is an annual fall festival that...read more

Jockey's Ridge State Park

Birding in Nags Head

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Nags Head is home to the tallest natural sand dune on the East Coast. Jockey’s Ridge, currently a series of five dunes, is a natural wonder that’s continually changing in shape and height. With the highest dune varying from 62 to 80 feet tall, this system of sand is a haven for adventure. Colorful kites waver over its majesty regularly, and hang gliders climb to its summit to swoop...read more

Kitty Hawk Woods Reserve

Birding in Kitty Hawk

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Kitty Hawk Woods is a unique environment: a maritime forest, shrub swamp and marsh. Totaling 1,824 acres, the Town of Kitty Hawk owns 461 acres with a conservation easement from the state. A diverse array of wildlife is at home in Kitty Hawk Woods. In some areas gray foxes, raccoons and white-tailed deer can be found. In marsh areas, a number of amphibians and reptiles...read more

Nags Head Woods Preserve

Birding in Kill Devil Hills

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A beautiful place for hiking, trail running and birding, Nags Head Woods Preserve is one of the best remaining examples of a mid-Atlantic maritime forest. The 8 miles of hiking trails in the 1,200-acre preserve are open and free to the public every day from dawn until dusk. There are lushly wooded dunes, peaceful ponds, brackish marsh and an upland maritime forest complete with live oaks...read more

Run Hill State Natural Area

Birding in Kill Devil Hills

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Run Hill is like a mini Jockey's Ridge. It's an active, migrating dune system just like Jockey's Ridge, but it's much smaller - 123 acres instead of 420. And it seems wilder and more mysterious. It's a state natural area instead of state park, so there's no visitor center or amenities and it's lesser known, which means it's far less crowded than Jockey's Ridge. Run...read more

Wings Over Water Wildlife Festival

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Wings Over Water Wildlife Festival is an annual six-day celebration devoted to celebrating the wild side of the Outer Banks and the surrounding region. Held in October, the festival offers almost 100 programs in themes ranging from birding and wildlife photography to paddling, natural history and more. It’s a fun and educational event for the whole family, and since it takes place in the shoulder...read more