Birding in North Carolina

The top birding locations in North Carolina include Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge, Airlie Gardens, Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge, Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge - River Road, Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge - Sawyer Lake Road, Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge - Wildlife Drive, Bald Head Island, Beaver Lake Bird Sanctuary, Biltmore Estate, Biltmore Estate - Deer Park River Trail, Bodie Island, Bodie Island Lighthouse & Pond, Buckhorn Reservoir, Butner Game Land - Brickhouse Road, Cape Hatteras National Seashore - Cape Point, Cape Hatteras National Seashore - Old Lighthouse, Cape Hatteras National Seashore - Oregon Inlet Beach (North), Cape Hatteras National Seashore - Salvo Day Use Area, Carolina Beach State Park, Cedar Island Ferry Terminal, Cedar Island National Wildlife Refuge, Cowan's Ford Wildlife Refuge, Currituck Heritage Park, Duck Park Boardwalk, Falls Lake, Falls Lake - Beaverdam Reservoir, Falls Lake - Ellerbe Creek RR Grade, Falls Lake - Hickory Hill Boat Ramp, Falls Lake - Neuse River RR Grade, Falls Lake - Rolling View, Flat River Waterfowl Impoundment, Fort Fisher - Federal Point/The Rocks, Fort Fisher State Historic Site, Fort Fisher State Recreation Area, Fort Fisher State Recreation Area - Basin Trail and Aquarium Pond, Fort Macon State Park, Fort Macon State Park - Beach, Goldsboro Wastewater Treatment Plant, Goose Creek State Park, Greenfield Lake, Greenville - River Park North, Guilford County Farm/Howerton Road, Hatteras Point, Hooper Lane, J. Morgan Futch Game Land, Jackson Park, Jordan Game Land - New Hope Creek (Chatham County Seasonal Mudflats), Jordan Game Land - Northeast Creek Marsh & Seasonal Mudflats, Jordan Lake - Farrington Point Rd Causeway, Jordan Lake - Historical Data Only, Jordan Lake State Recreation Area - Ebenezer Point, Lake Brandt - Horsepen Creek Mudflats, Lake Crabtree County Park, Lake Julian Park, Lake Junaluska, Lake Waccamaw State Park, Lake Wheeler, Lake Wheeler marshes, Mackay Island National Wildlife Refuge, Martin Marietta Park (Former Quarry), Mason Farm Biological Reserve, Mason Inlet Waterbird Management Area, Mattamuskeet National Wildlife Refuge, Mattamuskeet National Wildlife Refuge - Causeway, Mattamuskeet National Wildlife Refuge - Lake Landing, Mattamuskeet National Wildlife Refuge - Wildlife Drive, Nags Head Woods Ecological Preserve, New River Inlet, North River Farms (permission required), Oak Island, Ocean Isle - East End, Ocean Isle Beach, Ocracoke Island, Ocracoke Island - North End, Palmetto Peartree Preserve, Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge, Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge - North Pond, Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge - Old Coast Guard Station, Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge - Salt Flats Wildlife Trail, Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge - South Pond, Pee Dee National Wildlife Refuge, Pettigrew State Park, Pine Island Audubon Sanctuary and Center, Pocosin Lakes National Wildlife Refuge - Pungo Unit, Riverbend Park, Salem Lake, Schenck Forest, South Nags Head, Sunset Beach, Sunset Beach - Twin Lakes, Warren Wilson College - Owen Park, Wrightsville Beach, Wrightsville Beach - Masonboro Inlet, Yates Mill County Park. Each offers unique habitats and species.

The best seasons for birding in North Carolina are Spring and Fall and Winter. Spring migration brings diverse species through the area. Winter offers opportunities for cold-weather specialties and waterfowl.

Notable species in North Carolina include Tundra Swan, Snow Goose, Piping Plover, Peregrine Falcon, Tricolored Heron, Black Scoter, Killdeer, Bonaparte's Gull, and more. The state supports coastal, marsh, wetland, forest, river/riparian, lake, urban park habitats.