Wilmington Riverwalk Birding

Wilmington Riverwalk Birding

Wilmington Downtown Riverwalk circa Autumn 2019

The Wilmington Riverwalk is an 2.82km or 1.75 mile boardwalk that runs along the Cape Fear River  in the city center. This public corridor is known for its views of the river, various shops and businesses, and as a place to exercise. Additionally the Riverwalk is an often overlooked birding spot that is easily accessible. While urban centers are often considered poor avian habitat, Wilmington and many North Carolina cities have a surprising number of species that visit or live in gardens, greenways, or streetscapes. Additionally the river is a good spot to see migratory waterfowl, seabirds, shorebirds, herons, as well as year-round favorites like the Bald Eagle, Osprey, and even occasionally Pelicans. 

Overview 

The Riverwalk is located in Downtown Wilmington and runs along the river and Water Street. The entire stretch offers clear views of the river as well as land in Brunswick County. The Cape Fear River itself is an an ecological area as it includes estuarine habitats further south towards Pleasure Island and Southport, while the North East Cape Fear River contains old-growth cypress and hardwood forests. Wilmington is located in a brackish area where freshwater transitions into saltwater and where tree and freshwater wetlands become Spartina Saltmarsh. The third major element of this location are the human-modified landscapes. Dredge spoil islands from channel expansions at the seaport create habitat for terns, herons and pelicans, while masonry structures as well as wharves offer habitat for cliff nesting birds. The best time to visit the Riverwalk is during the autumn although there are good opportunities to find birds, and often other wildlife (like otters, alligators, and other animals) in any season.  

Eagles Island 

Eagles Island with USS North Carolina Battleship Memorial

Eagles Island is an island located directly across the river from Wilmington and is where the USS North Carolina Battleship is moored. This island is also traversed by both the Memorial and Holmes Bridge and is mostly undeveloped aside from some wharves and harbor facilities. Eagles Islands was historically a rice plantation and some remnants of the former paddies remain today. The island has large areas of brackish and freshwater marshes, wet meadows, and copses of trees and myrtles. These habitats often host birds such as Red Winged Blackbirds, Boat Tailed Grackles, King, Clapper, or Virginia Rails, and various songbirds throughout the year. Even though Eagles' is actually a name of a family, there are Bald Eagles that live on or visit the island, as well as Osprey, Harriers,  and Mississippi Kites depending on the time of year. You can get a good look at the eastern bank of Eagles Island from the riverwalk although it is also possible to visit the USS NC Museum via regular water taxis during the tourist season, or by driving there from Highway US 421.  

City Center  

Native plant garden near Downtown Library and City Hall

Wilmington's Downtown District is another important feature of this location. Like many cities, towns, and villages, these areas have limited greenspace and are not as good of bird habitats as parks  or residential gardens. However, there are still much more than just House Sparrows, Rock Doves, and Mockingbirds in this area. The most noticeable birds that can be seen around the Riverwalk or over the historic district and north towards the "New City" include various swallows, martins, and swifts, the Peregrine, and Cooper's Hawk. Gardens, balcony plantings, and several bird tables along the Riverwalk or along the streets host chickadees, titmice, Carolina Wrens, Collared Doves, and hummingbirds, while large shade trees may contain Orchard and Baltimore Orioles, or a Crested Flycatcher. Other places to check out in Downtown Wilmington include the natural gardens at the New Hanover County Library on Chestnut and 2nd Street, a greenway corridor near Cape Fear Community College, and the courtyard garden at the Cotton Exchange. These areas have plantings, trees, and manmade structures that may host year-round or migratory birds. 

Bird Opportunities 

Collared Dove near a garden with a bird table

The best times to visit the Wilmington Riverfront is in the spring and autumn or between March and May, and again from August to December. During this time, you are likely to see songbirds such as warblers, vireos, kinglets, sparrows, and gnatcatchers in trees, garden plantings, or across the river, as well as birds of prey, gulls, terns, waterfowl, egrets, and much more. Outside of migration, the Riverfront is still a good place to find resident, breeding, or wintering species. 

Birding by Boat: Another good way to see birds along the Cape Fear, including in more natural areas further north is to take one of the many boat tours offered by cruise companies in the area. The outings travel south towards the seaport, while others travel northward in alternating schedules. Water taxis that go to Eagles Island may also grant close-up views of waterbirds and seabirds.  

Swallows: The Cape Fear River has one of the best martin and swallow habitats in the region and you can see all seven swallow species as well as Chimney Swifts during the spring, summer and early autumn. Barn Swallows nest under in large colonies under wharves, docks, overhangs and the boardwalk itself, while Tree, Cliff, Rough Winged Swallows can be spotted feeding over the water. Multiple homesites and public gardens have Purple Martin nest sites with active colonies, while birds from inland and the New Hanover Peninsula gather along the river as well. Ebird.org reports at least a few Cliff Swallows have nested on the various bridges along the river corridor with photos of one nest on the US 421 Causeway in the northeastern section of the river. In spring and autumn Sand Martins (aka Bank Swallows), and Cave Swallows are also possible. 

Waterfowl and Waterbirds: Cormorants, Herring Gulls, Ring-Billed Gulls, Laughing Gulls, Common Terns, Royal Terns, Caspian Terns, Canada Geese and during the winter Mergansers are likely to be found in or over the river. In addition to these birds, you may find Tundra Swans, Snow Geese, and other waterfowl during the winter, or spot an Anhinga flying over during the summertime. On rare occasions Brown Pelicans, Black Skimmers, and Black Backed Gulls may fly up the river to Downtown Wilmington. 

Birds of Prey: Highlights include the Peregrine, Merlin, Cooper's Hawk, Red Tailed Hawk as well as any of the three large owl species. Bald Eagles, Ospreys, and Marsh Harriers can all be spotted over the river or at Eagles Island.

Land Birds: While House Sparrows, Common Starlings, Rock Doves, Northern Mockingbirds, House Finches, Fish Crows, and Boat Tailed Grackles are a practically guaranteed, keep your eye  out for other garden, woodland, and marsh birds. Among the opportunistic city-dwellers you are bound to see Carolina Wrens, or Brown Thrashers near shrubbery or wooded borders, Yellow Throated Warblers in large oaks, and chickadees, titmice, and in the winter Song or White Throated Sparrows around bird tables or feeders. Also look out for Collared or Barbary Doves which are only found in in our area in Downtown Wilmington and a few coastal towns.

Migrants: Some of the other birds you may see or hear include Orchard or Baltimore (summer and winter respectively) in shade trees, Swamp Sparrows in clumps of reeds, Winter or House Wrens in overgrown areas, and almost any of the migratory warblers vireo, or thrush species in trees along the water. I even saw a Yellow Billed Cuckoo along the riverwalk last year.

Eagles Island: Across the river look for anything from Red Winged Blackbirds to Marsh Wrens, especially if you are on Eagles Island or on a kayak. Shorebirds and plovers may also be spotted overhead. 

Other Wildlife: Keep an eye out for deer or other wildlife across the river, as well as muskrats, otters, beavers, alligators, and other aquatic animals that may travel the waterways day or night.