Date: 9/10/26 12:40 pm From: ncsealord (via carolinabirds Mailing List) <carolinabirds...> Subject: Carolina Bird Club Bonus Trip - Outer Banks in December 2026
Hello-
While it's still pool floatie and sunscreen time, it's not too early to think about winter birding! The CBC offers a "bonus field trip" (bonus being that it is outside of our regular seasonal meetings) in December to the NC Outer Banks. Read below for more information. You must be a member to attend, but may join at the time you register if not currently a member in good standing.
The CBC Outer Banks Trip December 12 - 13, 2026
Widely considered at the top of the list for early winter birding sites in North Carolina, the Outer Banks of Dare County are home to thousands of wintering swans, ducks, geese, shorebirds, waders, gulls, and more. Join members of the Carolina Bird Club as we explore the Bodie Island lighthouse area, Oregon Inlet, Pea Island NWR, the ocean beaches of Hatteras and Bodie Islands and other "hotspots".
The trip will focus on waterfowl and shorebird identification as well as building a broad trip list including everything from grebes to sparrows. Saturday will be devoted to birding along the immediate coast. Sunday will include a stop at Alligator River NWR.
Detailed information including directions, lodging choices, dining opportunities and more will be provided to registrants. Birds that you can expect to see include loons, numbers of Tundra Swans and Snow Geese, most of the dabbling ducks that winter in eastern North Carolina, chances to see sea ducks including all three American scoters, gulls, wintering passerines, and winter shorebirds including American Avocet, Purple Sandpiper, and Long-billed Dowitcher. Alligator River NWR may provide an opportunity to see Black Bear, raptors, shorebirds (if water levels are right) and numbers of Tundra Swan and waterfowl.
Logistics: The fee for this field trip is $75, and advance registration is required. Participation is limited to 12. Participants are responsible for lodging and meals. A number of motels, hotels, and other types of lodging are available in Nags Head north through Kitty Hawk. We will attempt to carpool in order to reduce the number of vehicles caravanning to the birding sites. Spotting scopes are useful if you have one. Dress for the weather and in layers. If we are enjoying a warm early winter, mosquito repellant may be useful.
Difficulty: This trip involves multiple consecutive hours of standing, walking on uneven or sandy surfaces, and extended exposure to the elements. I would describe the trip as "moderate" from a physical activity perspective.
Registration: To register for this field trip contact Steve Shultz at <ncsealord...> or (919) 608-2069. Upon confirmation of your slot on the trip you will be sent a registration form/waiver that can be submitted with your trip fee. Note that there is a modest fee to walk out on Jennette's Pier.
