Officials from North Carolina natural resources and public health agencies remind waterfowl hunters to be observant and careful when handling wild birds during hunting season.
birds
Inner coast: Lake Mattamuskeet draws outdoor enthusiasts
In the first of a series exploring North Carolina’s mainland coastal region, the waters of Mattamuskeet are a draw for waterfowl and adventurers.
Small sparrow’s plight in focus for grant recipient Allie Best
Allie Best, a graduate student at the University of North Carolina Wilmington, is one of two recently named recipients of the North Carolina Space Grant and North Carolina Sea Grant, a fellowship awarded to students whose research explores challenging coastal problems.
Final NC waterfowl conservation print, stamp available
With more license and permit purchases made online, collector interest has declined, leading the Wildlife Resources Commission to end the stamp program and the annual prints.
Delivery service
An endangered red-cockaded woodpecker flies in to his nesting cavity with a spider in in his beak for the awaiting chicks inside. Red-cockaded woodpeckers are an endemic species of the longleaf pine forest and were placed on the endangered species list due to the destruction of nesting habitat. Longleaf pine forests once covered an area the size of the Amazon across the southeastern United States. But today, less than 10% of this forest remains. Photo: Jared Lloyd
Frequent flyers
A trio of great crested flycatchers gather momentarily Saturday in a tree at Sandy Run Park in Kitty Hawk. According to the Audubon Guide to North American Birds, flycatchers are more often heard — especially the males’ loud calls — than seen, as they prefer wooded areas. Photo: Kip Tabb
Handsome eastern towhee had bit part in early NC history
The good-looking bird better known for its varied vocal stylings and found in coastal regions, including Ocracoke Island’s thickets, was depicted in the drawings of John White, the Colonial governor, mapmaker and artist.
Bipartisan bill would protect birds, beach communities
The Shoreline Health Oversight, Restoration, Resilience, and Enhancement Act would preserve coastal habitat while providing affordable, alternative sand sources used for beach nourishment projects, writes guest columnist Andrew Hutson of Audubon North Carolina
Sand from dredging expands eroded island habitat for terns
A recent dredge project has turned back years of erosion for a dredge spoil island near the federal channel in the Cape Fear River that supports colonies of royal terns and sandwich terns.
Avian flu deaths documented in 3 coastal counties
Biologists with multiple N.C. resources agencies have confirmed the first wild bird deaths from highly pathogenic avian influenza.
