A key stop along the Atlantic Flyway bird migration route, the Outer Banks are brimming with opportunities to spot birds coming to and through the northeast corner of North Carolina. Along with the bird-filled beaches along the coast, there are many parks, wildlife refuges and Important Bird Areas with the right mix of resources to help birds thrive.
See our staff picks of the best birding locations to explore along the Outer Banks:
- The Audubon Sanctuary Nature Trail
- Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge
- Cape Hatteras National Seashore
- Currituck Banks Estuarine Research Reserve
- Currituck Banks National Wildlife Refuge
- Currituck Lighthouse – Whalehead Club – NCWRC Corolla Wildlife Center area
- The Elizabethan Gardens
- Jockeys Ridge State Park
- Mackay Island National Wildlife Refuge
- Mattamuskeet National Wildlife Refuge
- Nags Head Woods Ecological Preserve
- Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge
- Wright Brothers Memorial
The NC Birding Trail is an official partner of Audubon North Carolina and a great resource for the best places to bird across our state. Visit their website to find even more inspiration when planning your next birding adventure.
