Birding in the Cape Fear Region

The Lower Cape Fear Region of North Carolina as well as Hoary County SC has some of the highest bird diversity in the Carolinas. This region is an important migration corridor for songbirds, shorebirds and seabirds, with autumn being one of the busiest seasons for birdwatching.  Throughout the year, there are more than 350 species of birds that call this place home or pass through as transients.  Additionally there are numerous vagrant species, and oddities that visit from other regions as well as some interesting finds that escape from captivity from time to time. Here I will provide an overview of birdlife in Southeastern NC as well as some helpful resources for bird and nature lovers.

Region 

Map of Southeastern NC and Hoary County SC.
Map made by Curtis Downey

The Cape Fear Region consists of the counties of New Hanover, Brunswick, Columbus, and Pender Counties in North Carolina. Hoary County in Northeastern SC is also included because of its proximity to Wilmington NC and the similarities in its climate and ecology. This region is ecologically significant because of its biodiversity, geography, and the dynamics of coastal geology. New Hanover and Brunswick County also marks the transition between the temperate and subtropical climates. For example, Cabbage, Dwarf, and Saw Palmettos occur naturally in Southern New Hanover and Brunswick County (including in Wilmington) but not in areas just north or inland of this area. The same is true for birds.

Climate: The Lower Cape Fear Region is described as a humid, subtropical climate, similar to other Southeastern regions in North America.  Summers are generally hot and humid with isolated or scattered thunderstorms occurring most days. Winters are mild with Wilmington seeing snow only occasionally although rain is more frequent. Spring and autumn are short with little transition between summer and winter. Tropical cyclones (hurricanes and tropical storms) are most common from late August to early October with Wilmington or Myrtle Beach seeing a few landfalling storms over the last 30 years. There is a significant difference amongst microclimates in our region. The seacoast and some islands are cooler in the summer. The inland counties can be hotter during the summer, but are more likely to see winter weather than Wilmington. This type of climate contributes to this region's attractiveness to birds. Many birds that breed in the North will winter in our region, while there is a trend of southern species venturing into the area during some summers. 

Habitats: The Cape Fear Region has a high diversity of ecosystems although many of them are now in danger due to development, logging, and exotic or invasive organisms. The Longleaf Pine once dominated the interior regions of the Coastal Plain and made up most of the landscape. These  prairie-like habitats are dependent on natural fire cycles to keep forest trees from taking over. Fire suppression along with logging, agriculture, and development destroyed most of the original savannas in our area. Wetlands and peatlands are another significant feature of the landscape and include hardwood, cedar and baldcypress swamps along rivers, pocosin bay swamps, and various peatlands or bogs within pinelands. This is where iconic plants such as the Venus Flytrap are found. The rest of the habitats in the Cape Fear include various types of deciduous or mixed forests, early successional habitat, saltmarshes, coastal prairies, and dune habitats, as well as human-altered habitats. 

Most Common Ecosystems 

  1. Deciduous or Mixed Forests including pinelands that have become overgrown 
  2. Bottomland Forests and Wooded Swamps
  3. Early successional such as old fields, brambles, hedgerows, and regenerating forests
  4. Saltmarsh, Saltmeadow, and Brackish Marsh 
  5. Agrarian habitat and managed plantations for paper, wood chips, or timber
  6. Residential and urban habitats including gardens, parks, and streetscapes 

Endangered or Threatened Ecosystems 
  1. Longleaf Pine Savanna and other pineland habitats 
  2. Pocosin Bay Swamps and peatlands 
  3. Natural grasslands and prairies 
  4. Coastal Dune habitats, maritime forests, and barrier island ecosystems 
  5. Natural scrublands and similar shrubby habitats associated with land uses 
  6. Freshwater wetlands including vernal ponds 
Birdlife 

According to eBird.org data, the Cape Fear Region has more than 350 species of birds that occur in the region. As of December 2019, the database showed 366 recorded species in New Hanover County alone. Among these birds include familiar species found along our coast, in marshes, or at our own gardens and feeders. There are also overlooked or specialized species that are tied to certain habitats for nesting or feeding, such as the beach nesting seabirds like Least Terns, or the endangered Red Cockaded Woodpecker of pinelands. The region's diversity bring birdwatchers from around the world. The Carolina Coast sits directly under the Atlantic Flyway. This corridor is used by migrating waterfowl, hawks, shorebirds and songbirds to travel between their wintering grounds and their breeding range. In the Cape Fear, autumn brings more migrants than the spring as many northbound transients travel along the Appalachian Corridor including in Western NC. That combined with the wintering and breeding species, shows the importance of this region to birds. 

Highlights 
  • The region hosts wading birds, seabirds, shorebirds, and songbirds throughout the year
  • Many northern and inland species winter in the Cape Fear, including insectivores that would otherwise head to the tropics 
  • Spring Migration is decent although most of the birds travel along the Appalachian Mountains. This period runs from February to June 
  • Autumn Migration brings large numbers of songbirds, shorebirds, and raptors from August to December 
  • Notable inhabitants include the Wood Duck Least Tern, Black Skimmer, Anhinga, Brown Pelican, Bald Eagle, Osprey, Painted Bunting, Protonotary Warbler and much more 
  • The endangered Red Cockaded Woodpecker resides in some preserves in Southeastern NC

Ecological Threats 

The Cape Fear Region is a popular place for people to live or vacation.  Over the last 40 years, Wilmington and Myrtle Beach have grown significantly in size and population. Suburban sprawl have spread into Brunswick and to a lesser extent Pender County during the 2000s and 2010s. The increase in residents led to increased development, motor traffic, and human-wildlife conflict decreasing natural habitat.  Birds and other wildlife are now forced into smaller fragments of habitats on the fringes of society, leaving them ore prone to predation and decreasing genetic diversity.   Fortunately, many songbirds and waterbirds have adapted to live in our communities while in preserves maintain strongholds for rare plants and animals.  Even in these areas, the birds are prone disturbance, development, nonnative predators, and pollution. Birds are an indicator species for ecosystem health and an area with a lot of birds might also indicate suitable habitat for reptiles, amphibians, insects, and mammals that live with them. The future of birds and other wildlife in our area depends on the actions that government, businesses and most importantly the everyday citizen takes today and in the future. 

Birding Information 

The Lower Cape Fear Region is a popular destination for birder and there are many resources available to help people find their way. Any month of the year is a good time to visit Wilmington or Myrtle Beach for birdwatching although I find September through November to be the best times as there are so many birds passing through. You never know what species will turn up in our area from year to year, so it is always good to keep an eye out for oddities. There are also many options to choose from when it comes to birding spots. Wilmington and New Hanover County have more than fifty parks that are easily accessible while hosting as many species as some forestlands. There are also a number of state parks, gamelands, and preserves that are open to the public or are visited by organized groups. Below are some locations in Southeastern NC and Hoary County that I find are good bird spots as well as some helpful resources.

Good Birding Spots 

  1. Greenfield Lake Park (Wilmington NC)
  2. Carolina Beach State Park (New Hanover County NC)
  3. Masonboro Inlet (Wrightsville Beach NC)
  4. Fort Fisher State Recreation Area (Kure Beach NC)
  5. Wallace Park/Burnt Mill Creek Corridor (Wilmington NC)
  6. Oak Dale Cemetery (Wilmington NC)
  7. Wilmington Riverwalk (Wilmington NC)
  8. Wilmington International Airport Observation Deck (Wilmington NC)
  9. Moore's Creek Battlefield (Pender County NC)
  10. Green Swamp Preserve (Brunswick County NC)
  11. Ev-Henwood Nature Preserve (Brunswick County NC)
  12. Lake Waccamaw State Park (Columbus County NC)
  13. Warbird Park (Myrtle Beach SC, near airport)
  14. Huntington Beach State Park (Georgetown County SC)
  15. Bald Head Island (Brunswick County, accessible by boat or ferry)
Helpful Resources 
Recommended Books 
  • Birds of the Carolinas Field Guide by Stan Tekiela: Good field guide for beginners with species organized by color and shape. There is also a wildflower and fish guide.
  • Field Guide to the Birds of the Carolinas by Nate Swick 2016: A current field guide to birds in the Carolina with photos. Good supplement to a Sibley or Peterson guide. 
  • Birds of the Carolinas Second Edition by Eloise F. Potter, James F. Parnell, Robert P.  Teulings, and Ricky Davis 2006. Slightly older field guide with more detailed ecological and life history information. 
Note: Some of the older books may be out of print but could be on secondary markets. 






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