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,...
Birds of Ocracoke: Cooper’s Hawk
To read more profiles on the Birds of Ocracoke, click here
By Peter Vankevich
From fall into winter is the best time to see hawks...
Birds of Ocracoke: the Red Knot
By Peter Vankevich
The number of shorebirds that winter along the beach on Ocracoke varies from year to year.
Some years, Red Knots can be seen...
Birds of Ocracoke: The Savannah Sparrow
By Peter Vankevich
The Savannah Sparrow (Passerculus sandwichensis) is one of the most common sparrows throughout much of North America, but on Ocracoke, it is only...
Birds of Ocracoke: Gulls in the ‘hood – or maybe not
Laughing Gull in basic plumage, from late August till early spring
Text and Photos by Peter Vankevich
The Laughing Gull, Larus atricilla, is the most common...
Birds of Ocracoke: The Redhead
By Peter Vankevich
In the long waterfowl tradition of Ocracoke, perhaps the most endearing species for hunters, decoy carvers and bird lovers is the duck...
Birds of Ocracoke: The Hooded Merganser
Text and Photos by Peter Vankevich
If one were to choose a species as the most handsome duck in America, I would choose this one....
Birds of Ocracoke: The Bufflehead
By Peter Vankevich
Here’s a quiz question. What do ducks and woodpeckers have in common? Read on.
In the waters of Ocracoke one can see North America's...
Birds of Ocracoke: The (somewhat uncommon) Common Eider
Text and photos by Peter Vankevich
Winter on Ocracoke is a good time of the year to see rare birds. Most of them venture here...