NC - Pea Island NWR

Wednesday, September 21, 2016

Day two of exploring the Outer Banks of North Carolina and yet another day of experiencing Tropical Storm Julia. Again, as we are having breakfast at the hotel, we are disappointed that the storm is lingering over the northern reaches of the OBX. So we decide to explore Roanoke Island in the morning, have lunch there, then travel down to Hatteras Island Light in the afternoon. With the choppy waters of the channel, we refrain from taking the 45-minute ferry over to Ocracoke Island to see the light and visitor center. We will save that for another trip. We proceed to Fort Raleigh NHS and are the sole visitors of the park as it opened just 30 minutes prior. The remnants of TS Julia upon us, we don't linger and proceeded up the road to the US Fish and Wildlife Services Visitor Center.

While not part of an actual Wildlife Refuge, this center was a long-time dream for the US Fish and Wildlife Service and many refuge and wildlife supporters on the Outer Banks and in eastern North Carolina. It represents eleven national wildlife refuges and one national fish hatchery, offering an invitation to visit them all. There are two Blue Goose passport stamps here, Alligator River, which is located just across the adjacent bridge and Pea Island, below the bridge to Hatteras. Being in the midst of a tropical storm, we decided to not go to Pea Island, although by the time we drove past to go to Cape Hatteras, the sun was out and people were abound.

Once at Pea Island, the Center was open, so we stopped in and looked around. Having already received the stamp at the Gateway Visitor Center, we stopped to take a few photos, then proceeded back on Route 12 for Hatteras Island.

Refuge Synopsis

Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1938 to provide nesting, resting, and wintering habitat for migratory birds, including the greater snow geese and other migratory waterfowl, shorebirds, wading birds, raptors, and neotropical migrants; to provide habitat and protection for endangered and threatened species, such as Loggerhead sea turtles; and to provide opportunities for public enjoyment of wildlife and wildlands resources. 

Public use programs focus on interpretation, environmental education, wildlife observation, wildlife photography, and fishing.  The refuge is 13 miles long and covers 5,834 acres of land and 25,700 acres of Proclamation Boundary waters.  It is located on the north end of Hatteras Island, a coastal barrier island and part of a chain of islands known as the Outer Banks.  The bird list for Pea Island NWR boasts more than 365 species; the wildlife list has 25 species of mammals, 24 species of reptiles, and 5 species (low number due to salt environment) of amphibians. 

If You Go

Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge is administered through Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge from the  Administration Office on Roanoke Island, North Carolina

The refuge is located on the north end of Hatteras Island, a coastal barrier island and part of a chain of islands known as the Outer Banks. The bird list for Pea Island Refuge boasts more than 365 species; the wildlife list has 25 species of mammals, 24 species of reptiles, and 5 species (low number due to salt environment) of amphibians.

Visitor Services programs focus on interpretation, environmental education, wildlife observation, wildlife photography, and fishing. The refuge is 13 miles north to south and covers 5,834 acres of land and 25,700 acres of Proclamation Boundary waters.

Wgen visiting Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge, it is always a good idea to bring drinking water, sunscreen, bug repellent, a light jacket, and a hat and sunglasses.  Depending on the season, the bugs can be bad along the wildlife trails.  Many visitors also bring their own scopes or binoculars and an identification guide for better wildlife viewing. 

Accessibility

At Pea Island, their is accessible parking as well as wheelchair accessibility to the Visitor Center, Comfort Facility and 1/2 Mile North Pond Wildlife Trail. Additionally, there is also a wheelchair available for loan at the Visitors Center.