Birds of Ocracoke: The Northern Pintail
Northward, ever northward, clearly indicated on the distant sky, points the long slim figure of the pintail, in the vanguard of the spring migration,...
Birds of Ocracoke: The Blue Jay
Text and photos by Peter Vankevich
It can be surprising that some bird species, which are common and easily seen on the mainland of North...
Birds of Ocracoke: American Oystercatcher
By Peter Vankevich
If there were a betting popularity contest for the birds of Ocracoke, Las Vegas might place the American Oystercatcher as a...
Birds of Ocracoke: summer nesting successes, rare fall bird sightings
By Peter Vankevich
The Ocracoke and Portsmouth Christmas Bird Counts will be on Dec. 30 and 31. Those wishing to participate should contact the...
Birds of Ocracoke: The Osprey
Text by Peter VankevichPhotos by Hal Broadfoot and Peter Vankevich
Time for a much-needed spectacular avian comeback story.
The Osprey (Pandion haliaetus) is the only bird...
Birds of Ocracoke: The Ring-necked Duck
For more profiles, click BIRDS OF OCRACOKE SERIES
By Peter Vankevich
If one were to look at names of our birds of North America and get...
Birds of Ocracoke: The Lesser Black-backed Gull
To read more profiles on the Birds of Ocracoke, click here
By Peter Vankevich
First, are these birds gulls or seagulls?"Seagull" is the colloquial name for...
Birds of Ocracoke: The Red-breasted Nuthatch, an irruptive fella
To see more profiles in the Birds of Ocracoke series, click here
By Peter Vankevich
Starting in the early fall and into the early spring, on...
Birds of Ocracoke: The American Bittern, a solitary soul
By Peter Vankevich
The American Bittern (Botaurus lentiginosus) is one of the more interesting avian fall/winter visitors to Ocracoke.
A member of the heron family,...
Birds of Ocracoke: The Purple Sandpiper
By Peter Vankevich
One might shiver just by thinking about the habitats of the Purple Sandpiper, a rare bird on Ocracoke’s shores.
A handsome, chunky shorebird,...