Bodie Island Lighthouse & Pond
North Carolina · Southeast
Challenging
October-April
Free (lighthouse climb fee separate)
Grounds open daily; lighthouse seasonal hours
About This Location
Bodie Island Lighthouse & Pond is a productive birding destination in North Carolina, with 301 species recorded on eBird. This coastal and lake habitat attracts Green-winged Teal, Mourning Dove, and Great Egret among many others. Mild winters attract waterfowl and sparrows, while spring and fall migration bring neotropical songbirds.
Location
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Notable Species
Live Bird Data
Powered by eBird / Cornell Lab of Ornithology
Notable Sightings
Rare or unusual species spotted nearby in the last 14 days
Iceland Gull
Larus glaucoides
Red-necked Grebe
Podiceps grisegena
American Herring x Glaucous Gull (hybrid)
Larus smithsonianus x hyperboreus
Pacific Loon
Gavia pacifica
Green-winged Teal (Eurasian)
Anas crecca
Iceland Gull (kumlieni)
Larus glaucoides
Recent Observations
Species reported at this location in the last 14 days
Green-winged Teal
Snowy Egret
Carolina Chickadee
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Gadwall
Killdeer
Great Egret
Northern Harrier
Eastern Meadowlark
Mourning Dove
Northern Flicker
Song Sparrow
Swamp Sparrow
Red-winged Blackbird
Boat-tailed Grackle
Pine Warbler
Tundra Swan
American Black Duck
Willet
Double-crested Cormorant
Birding Tips
- 1
Check rocky shorelines and jetties at low tide for shorebirds.
- 2
Scan offshore waters with a spotting scope for seabirds and waterfowl.
- 3
Check for wintering sparrows in brushy edges from November through February.
- 4
Onshore winds can push pelagic species closer to shore, making post-storm days excellent for rarities.
- 5
Bring quality optics — a good pair of binoculars (8x42 or 10x42) makes all the difference in species identification.
Amenities
Nearby Attractions
- Pea Island NWR
- Oregon Inlet
- Coquina Beach
More in North Carolina
Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge
Outer Banks refuge famous for wintering waterfowl and migrant shorebirds.
Airlie Gardens
Forest birding hotspot in North Carolina with 248 recorded species.
Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge
River/Riparian birding hotspot in North Carolina with 271 recorded species.
North Carolina Birding Guide
Complete guide to birding in North Carolina →