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 Double-crested Cormorant
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Phalacrocorax auritus
Text and photos by Peter Vankevich
Perhaps the signature seabird of Ocracoke during...
Birds of Ocracoke: The Lesser Black-backed Gull
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By Peter Vankevich
First, are these birds gulls or seagulls?"Seagull" is the colloquial name for...
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 American Kestrel
By Peter Vankevich
From early September into early winter, it is possible to see three species of falcons on Ocracoke.
Peregrine Falcons migrate through and some...
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: A rare Yellow-headed Blackbird
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Text and photos by Peter Vankevich
Fall migration is a time when unusual birds appear...
Birds of Ocracoke: The Great Blue Heron
Text and Photos by Peter Vankevich
“A bird so grand, so majestic, and so picturesque is surely a fitting subject for the artist's brush,” so...
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: the American White Ibis
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Eudocimus albus
Text and Photos by Peter Vankevich
The American White Ibis is a prized bird for...