A haven for waterbirds since at least 1970, the quickly vanishing Sandbag Island near Harkers Island was recently expanded from a tenth of an acre to 5 acres using spoils from a dredge project around Cape Lookout Lighthouse.
Wildlife
Salt marsh snacks
A wedge of egrets fish in a salt marsh along North River near Beaufort. Photo: Dylan Ray
Bill for breakfast
A black-necked stilt dips its bill as it feeds in standing water at sunrise July 30 at the Oregon Inlet Fishing Center in Nags Head. Reader Brian Horsley of Nags Head submitted this image, noting that he captured the photo July 30 while on his way to work. When “it rains a lot and we get big freshwater puddles Black Neck Stilts pay it a visit,” he said with the submission.
Wild foal in distress removed from Rachel Carson Reserve
N.C. Coastal Reserve Central Sites Manager Paula Gillikin told Coastal Review Tuesday that the young filly had improved overnight after being transported Monday to N.C State College of Veterinary Medicine in Raleigh.
‘Unimaginable’: Herd manager mourns horse hit by driver
Meg Puckett of the Corolla Wild Horse Fund said the recent death of Bullwinkle, a 10-year-old stallion struck on the beach by the driver of a side-by-side utility vehicle, affects the future of the herd.
Ruby-throated hummingbird visits Yeopim Creek
Ed Sanford of Hertford used a long telephoto lens to capture this image of a ruby-throated hummingbird Monday while it visited the hummingbird feeder at his home on the Yeopim Creek in Perquimans County.
St. James folk bask among beauty, birds certification brings
The town of St. James in Brunswick County recently became the only coastal town to become a Certified Community Wildlife Habitat, a relatively easy-to-get distinction through a National Wildlife Foundation program.
Service agrees to pause Mattamuskeet algaecide project
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service officials have agreed to halt a planned algaecide experiment in Lake Mattamuskeet until next year.
Biologists, advocates push for more wildlife crossing funds
Proponents of the federal Red Wolf Recovery Program say more protected highway wildlife crossings in the Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge would benefit all species.
2 found guilty of 15 counts of illegal night deer hunting
Dylan Scott of New Hanover County and Nicholas Rackley of Duplin County have been ordered to pay $9,030 in replacement costs for illegally spotlighting and killing deer in Duplin County.
Coastal Land Trust deal adds 3,000 acres to state game land
The parcel purchased earlier this spring is mainly marsh and is bordered by Spencer Bay, Germantown Bay and Rose Bay in Hyde County.
Groups seek to block Mattamuskeet algaecide treatment
The Southern Environmental Law Center, on behalf of Defenders of Wildlife and the Sierra Club, citing the threat to migratory birds, has filed a challenge in federal court to block the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service from allowing an experimental algaecide treatment of Lake Mattamuskeet.
Wildlife groups seek to intervene in Pasquotank man’s case
The National Wildlife Federation and the North Carolina Wildlife Federation say Robert White’s dispute with the EPA and the Corps of Engineers could result in further narrowing of wetland protections with devastating water quality and economic effects.
Park Service seeks public input on managing Ocracoke herd
Cape Hatteras National Seashore officials are looking for comments on the development of management plan for the horses under its care on Ocracoke Island.
Outer Banks group begins Adopt a Sea Turtle Nest program
For a donation of $100 or more to the nonprofit Outer Banks Forever, supporters can symbolically adopt a sea turtle nest at Cape Hatteras National Seashore.
State wildlife officials seek public input on sea turtle plan
The deadline is May 24 to submit comments to the Wildlife Resources Commission about the proposed sea turtle conservation plan.
