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.
birds
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.
Birding Trail to Open at Manteo Aquarium
The N.C. Aquarium on Roanoke Island will unveil its new nature play trail, “For the Birds,” featuring Outer Banks and migratory birds during Memorial Day weekend.
Winter Home for Snow Geese
Snow geese take flight over the Pungo Unit of the Pocosin Lakes National Wildlife Refuge in northeastern North Carolina. Photo: Sam Bland
Birds of Ocracoke: The Snow Bunting
Peter Vankevich with the Ocracoke Observer fills readers in on the habits of snow buntings, migratory birds most likely to be seen on the upper Outer Banks from late October into March.
‘Snowy Egret in January Wind’
A snowy egret makes his way across the rock jetty at Fort Fisher, seeking shelter from the brisk January wind. Photo: Terri Chabot
Snowy Owls Have Been Good for Business
The rare appearance of snowy owls on Ocracoke has attracted birders from across the state, boosting the economy during a normally slow time.
Birders Flock to Coast for Winter Migration
Locals spending a sunny Saturday on the Brunswick County beaches may have wondered what the fuss was about when they saw clusters of excited people, huddled together, pointing and gazing out to sea. Bird lovers had flocked to the coast to view the winter migration.
