Birds of Ocracoke Series – Ocracoke Observer: Recent Episodes
None
By Peter Vankevich Here is a summary of some of this year’s Ocracoke region nesting observations. Beach nesting birds such as American Oystercatchers, Black Skimmers and several tern species are finding it harder and harder to have success in producing much-needed fledglings. Beach erosion, overwash from major storms and losses of both eggs and hatchlings […]
Text and photo by Peter Vankevich From early spring into late summer, a small, dark, pointed winged bird can be seen darting to and fro in search of its sustenance — flying insects. They are Purple Martins (Progne subis), and they have an amazing history of co-existence with people dating back centuries. They are present […]
Text and photos by Peter Vankevich The terns of Ocracoke Island can reliably be seen flying along its coastal waters and loafing on the beach. One of these species, whose family is related to gulls, is a bit of an outlier. The Gull-billed Tern can also be found in a variety of salt and freshwater […]
Text and photos by Peter Vankevich Those spending time on Ocracoke beach and other areas of the Outer Banks this spring may have been pleasantly surprised to see flocks of binge-foraging Red Knots, the rufa supspecies (Calidris canutus rufa). Transitioning from the drab basic or winter gray/white plumage to their bright orange/red breasts and rufous […]
By Peter Vankevich Following a long tradition, the Portsmouth Island and Ocracoke Christmas Bird Counts took place on the last two days of the year. These are two of more than 40 bird counts that took place throughout North Carolina and expected about 2,600 counts worldwide and 80,000 participants. Whereas the COVID-19 pandemic over the […]
By Peter Vankevich When you talk about amazing animals, consider adding the Great Shearwater to the mix. They can fly between waves of 40 feet or higher in hurricane-like weather. Large seabirds — 20 inches in length with a 3.5- to 4-foot wingspan – they get their name from their ability to navigate between swells, […]
Sometimes called a sea swallow, the Least Tern (Sternula antillarum) has a graceful, fast, buoyant flight pattern with rapid wing beats.
The Eastern Towhee, a strikingly handsome bird that — good looks notwithstanding, is perhaps more noted for its many vocalizations.
Northward, ever northward, clearly indicated on the distant sky, points the long slim figure of the pintail, in the vanguard of the spring migration, wending its way toward remote and still frozen shores.–Arthur Cleveland Bent To read more profiles on the Birds of Ocracoke, click here By Peter Vankevich If one could use the word […]
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 Carolina, can be few in number or nonexistent on Ocracoke Island. On the other hand, we have some common birds that are the envy of many. We get to see […]
By Peter Vankevich If there were a betting popularity contest for the birds of Ocracoke, Las Vegas might place the American Oystercatcher as a 4 to 1 most likely to win top of the list. This handsome shorebird, often seen on the beach, got its name from naturalist Mark Catesby in 1731 when he observed […]
By Peter Vankevich The Ocracoke and Portsmouth Christmas Bird Counts will be on Dec. 30 and 31. Those wishing to participate should contact the compiler, Peter Vankevich, petevankevich@gmail.com. Following a successful summer colonial bird nesting season, Ocracoke’s fall birding got off to a nice start with several rare and unusual birds appearing, plus great sightings […]
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 of prey in North America that will hover in the air beating its wings before plunging, sometimes at more than 30 mph, feet-first into the water to snag surface-swimming […]
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 a chance to rename them, the Ring-necked Duck would be a top candidate. Watching one in a marsh, even with high-powered binoculars or even a spotting scope, the faint […]
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 in the family Laridae, but “gull” is preferred since these birds can be found far away from the sea or ocean. Birders call them gulls, which is […]
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 Ocracoke you may hear a sound reminiscent of a tin horn (yank, yank) coming from a tree, usually a long-leaf pine. Making the noise could very well be Red-breasted […]
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, it is short-legged with yellow eyes and a long neck and bill. The overall colors of brown, beige and yellow with much streaking permits it to blend in with its […]
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, the Purple Sandpiper (Calidris maritima) nests in the high tundra of the arctic and winters along the rock-bound coasts of eastern North America, Greenland, Northern Europe and Iceland. This […]
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 on Ocracoke. They can be found perched in trees, in rapid flight or dashing after their prey, usually another bird. One of these species here would be the Cooper’s Hawk […]
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 foraging alongside the usual Sanderlings and Willets. Red Knots with their legendary migration distances have drawn lots of attention due to their rapid decline over the past 20 years. […]