To catch up on Ocracoke news, click here Editor’s note: This story has been updated on Jan. 9, 2018 By Peter Vankevich Cold, windy weather at dawn on Dec. 30 kept birds […]
Shorebirds curiously absent from Ocracoke Christmas Bird Count
Portsmouth Island Christmas Bird Count canceled; Ocracoke count shifts to Saturday
Due to unforeseen circumstances, there will be no boat transport for the Portsmouth Island Christmas Bird Count. As a result, the count, scheduled for Dec. 30, is canceled. As part of a […]
They’re Back! Snowy Owls return to North Carolina
For Ocracoke news, click here For more information on Snowy Owls, click here By Peter Vankevich “Ahoy! Hast thou seen the great white owl?” So cried the ancient man, holding a pair […]
Birds of Ocracoke: The Snow Bunting
For more profiles of the birds of Ocracoke, click here By Peter Vankevich Birds are amazing in that they may be found in the most extreme habitats. One of these is the […]
Ocracoke and Portsmouth island Christmas Bird counts set
At the end of each year, Ocracoke and Portsmouth islands are among the thousands of areas that participate in the nationwide Christmas Bird Count from Dec. 14 to Jan. 5. The resulting […]
Birds of Ocracoke: A rare Yellow-headed Blackbird
To see more profiles of the Birds of Ocracoke, click here Text and photos by Peter Vankevich Fall migration is a time when unusual birds appear in unexpected locations. Such was the […]
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 will occasionally be seen perching on […]
John Weske and his bands of terns
Text and photos by Peter Vankevich Neither hot weather nor age stops John Weske, 81, from his passion—banding birds—work he has done since he was a young man. Royal and Sandwich Terns […]
Birders to flock to Outer Banks for Wings Over Water
Editor’s note: The Portsmouth Island field trip is full, Ocracoke has three openings as of yesterday (Sept. 14). Since its beginning 20 years ago, the Wings Over Water Wildlife Festival has grown so much it […]
Birds of Ocracoke: The Yellow-crowned Night-Heron
By Peter Vankevich Ocracoke is a pretty good island to see a family of wading birds known as herons, egrets and bitterns. Twelve species are possible, though two are rare; the Reddish […]
