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Summer programs scheduled at wildlife refuges



The Alligator River and Pea Island National Wildlife Refuges have a variety of summer programs, including canoe tours, bird walks, turtles talks, and soundside exploration and programs that feature the bears and red wolves at Alligator River. They are: Alligator River Canoe Tours. From 9 a.m. - noon. June/July/August: Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays September/October: Wednesdays The tour is 3 hours, and the cost is $35 per person ($20 for children, 12 years and under). Reservations are required. Call 252-475-4266 for reservations. Really get out into the wild? The Milltail Creek Canoe/Kayak Trail System takes you deep into the wilds of this refuge. This area is home to black bears, red wolves, American alligators, and more. Meet at the south end of Buffalo City Road. Pea Island Pamlico Sound Canoe Tours From 9 a.m. until noon. May through October: Thursdays The tour is three hours, and the cost is $35 per person ($20 for children, 12 years and under). Reservations are required. Call 252-475-4266 for reservations. Explore the soundside of the refuge with a marshside view. See marsh and shorebirds. Learn about the estuary, the refuge, and local wildlife and plants. Meet at New Inlet. Pea Island Family Canoe Tour From 10 a.m. until noon. June/July/August: Wednesdays and Fridays The tour is two hours, and reservations are required. Call 252-475-4266 for reservations. The fee is $25 per person ($15 for children, 12 years and under). Same as the Pea Island Canoe Tour, only shorter, cheaper, and more flexible to accommodate children. Also includes lots of wading and hands-on exploration. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Meet at New Inlet. Bird Walks on Pea Island From 8 a.m. - 9:30 a.m. May through October: Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays Meet at the Visitor Center approximately 3.5 miles south of Oregon Inlet. Bring field guides and binoculars, if possible. Insect repellent recommended. Some binoculars, scopes, and field guides will be available for participants to borrow. All bird enthusiasts are welcome. Whether you're a beginner or an expert, you'll enjoy this stroll beside North Pond. Soundside Discovery on Pea Island From 2:30 -3:30 p.m. June/July/August: Thursdays Hands-on exploration of Pamlico Sound. Come, pull a seine and see what you can catch. Meet at New Inlet (6 miles south of Oregon Inlet). Wear wading shoes. Designed for the young (12 and under) and the young at heart! Children are required to be accompanied by an adult. Insect repellent recommended. Turtle Talk on Pea Island From 2:30 - 3:30 p.m. June/July/August: Tuesdays Learn about sea turtles, their habits, and their habitat and what you can do to help them! Meet at the Visitor Center approximately 3.5 miles south of Oregon Inlet. Insect repellent recommended. Wildlife and their Adaptations 2:30 -3:30 p.m. June/July/ August: Wednesdays Hawks and owls have special adaptations and behaviors that make them efficient hunters. Ducks and other waterbirds (and even some mammals) have webbed feet for swimming. Come and learn about ways that animals have adapted to survive in their environments. “Hands-on” approach! Insect repellent and sunscreen recommended. Meet at the Visitor Center approximately 3.5 miles south of Oregon Inlet. Bear Necessities on Alligator River 6 - 7:30 p.m. June/July/August: Wednesdays Alligator River Refuge is home to the largest populations of black bear in eastern North Carolina and one of the largest in the eastern U.S. Learn more about our largest mammal species and what makes this refuge a good home for it. After the presentation, tour the Wildlife Drive on your own to look for bears and other wildlife. Meet at Creef Cut Wildlife Trailhead on U.S. 64, four miles west of the 64/264 split on the way to East Lake. For directions or information, call 252-987-2394. Binoculars and insect repellent are recommended. Purple Martin Madness (Roanoke Island/Mainland Bridge) July 24 to August 14 Thursdays 7:30 - 8:30 p.m. ( July 24 and 31) 7:15 - 8:15 p.m. (Aug. 7 and 14) The Outer Banks is home to one of the largest purple martin roosts in the eastern US. Although our roost of 100,000 martins is not on Alligator River Refuge, the refuge lands and the water systems surrounding it support this spectacular roost of migratory birds. Come see 100,000 martins in flight over Croatan Sound and learn more about the fascinating lives of these birds and why they roost here. Visit www.purplemartinroost.com to learn more. Co-sponsored by Coastal Carolina Purple Martin Society. Meet at the parking lot in Manteo right before the eastern end of the old Manns Harbor/HWY 64 bridge. Look for the purple martin flag. Red Wolf Tracking June/July/August: Thursdays 10- 11 a.m. Spend an hour on Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge catching up on the Red Wolf Recovery Program and learning how biologists track the movements of these endangered animals. Meet at the Creef Cut Wildlife Trail parking lot (Milltail Road). Red Wolf Howling Safaris on Alligator River Wednesday evenings during the summer. Red Wolf Coalition and refuge staff offer you the experience of a lifetime! Come and learn about red wolves and participate in a “howling.” The program will occur except with lightning, heavy wind or rain, or impassable road conditions. Decision to cancel will be made no later than 1 1/2 hours before program. Howling Safaris are fee programs and cost $5 per person. Registration is required. Call 252-796-5600 or www.redwolves.com to register.