Native birds can be spotted from almost any trail on Bald Head
Island. The Island is home to its 10,000 acre protected
salt marsh and tidal creeks providing ample habitats for a variety of birds. Bald
Head Island is an Audubon Designated Important Birding
Area.
The birding area is located on the eastern
bank of the lower Cape Fear River, south of Wilmington
and east of Southport. It includes an area from Fort Fisher
south to Cape Fear Point and west to the intertidal sand flats. Also includes adjacent waters of the Cape Fear
River. The site also has a spectacular tidal creek and marsh system. The
diversity of habitats found at this site support a great diversity of bird life throughout the year.
Many
birds call Bald Head Island
home.
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Painted buntings
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Migrant songbirds
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Shorebirds and wading
birds
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12 species of ducks
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A few Least
Terns, Black Skimmers, Willets, Wilson’s Plovers, and American Oystercatchers
nest on area beaches during most seasons.
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American Oystercatchers in the winter.
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Saltmarsh
Sharp-tailed Sparrows, Seaside Sparrows, and Clapper Rails are abundant in area marshes.
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Peregrine Falcon, Merlin, American Kestrel, and Sharp-shinned Hawk are regular visitors during migration.
Bald Head Eagles are occasionally spotted as a treat to Island vacationers.
Whether you are going for a hike, kayaking, beachcombing, fishing or playing
golf, Bald Head Island
is a birdwatcher’s paradise. Bird lovers will not be disappointed with birdwatching opportunities available
on Bald Head Island.
