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Wetlands, lakes and the places where seafoam meets sand provide favorite hangout spots for birds — and the humans who love watching them. Grab your binoculars and take a boat tour or a kayak canal tour; landlubber options are also available.
Listicle View
Sea of Blue
Although solitary hunters, great blue herons raise their young in colonies, notably tiny Heron Island in Lake Norman, near the town of Cornelius. A restoration project added vegetation and rocks to prevent the island from being washed away by waves, resulting in a rookery with 60 to 80 nests that are protected from human visits from April to August. Watch the action through binoculars or via live stream.
Bird's-Eye Perspective
Hikers have long loved the short but rigorous climb (1.5 miles round-trip) to the top of Hawksbill Mountain near Linville Falls for stunning views of the gorge below, but birders will find their eyes gazing skyward to watch the raptors that frequent the area. Peregrine falcons, turkey vultures, owls and numerous hawk species seem to float effortlessly above the craggy landscape — then suddenly dive for dinner.
Floats of Fancy
Lady Swan Boat Tours launch out of Swansboro, taking a maximum of 26 passengers into the surrounding marshes from early spring through early winter. The pontoon-style boats allow for unimpeded vistas during the gentle one- to two-hour rides, many of which focus on wildlife, including ospreys that appear in early March and build elaborate nests above the water.
Beach Dwellers
Rare flora and fauna coalesce on Bird Island Reserve, a protected 1,481-acre barrier island at the west end of Sunset Beach. Loggerhead sea turtles may be the marquee attraction, but a year-round cast of shorebirds — such as brown pelicans, black skimmers, ibis, egrets, terns and herons — will also lift your spirits. After exploring the island, leave a message in the beloved Kindred Spirit mailbox, about 1.5 miles southwest of the public beach access.
Avian Central
For a birding double-shot, head for Sanford. Skirt the two lakes at San-Lee Park and glimpse a bevy of water-loving birds, notably the belted kingfisher with its distinctive blue mohawk. A scenic 17-mile drive north, White Pines Nature Preserve features 6 miles of trails through forests populated with wild turkeys and pileated woodpeckers. Keep your ears open for migratory musicians, including yellow-billed cuckoos and yellow-throated warblers.
Education Station
Boost your birding IQ with a visit to Howell Woods Environmental Learning Center. This 2,856-acre property offers guided walks and classes, many on topics like migration and birdhouse building. Download their Bird Checklist to track how many of the 176 species you’ve encountered (which may include white-eyed vireos or Kentucky warblers).
Winter Wonderlands
The birding fun doesn’t have to stop when temps drop. Astonishing numbers of migrating waterfowl — including thousands of mallard, ring-necked and wood ducks — spend the winter months at Pee Dee National Wildlife Refuge and are easy to track from your vehicle on the 2.5-mile Wildlife Drive near Wadesboro. Greater snow geese, swans and raptors catch their breath at Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge in Rodanthe. Weekly guided bird walks take place all year. The unique elevated wetlands at Columbia’s Pocosin Lakes National Wildlife Refuge draw tundra swans and rarer ducks like northern shovelers and hooded mergansers. Chart your own route through the Pungo Unit, a bird-friendly zone with 44 miles of dirt and gravel roads.
Bonus tip: The free Merlin Bird ID app is a favorite recognition tool for both beginning and seasoned birders. The popular Photo ID feature suggests ornithological names for your pics of feathered friends. And be sure to check out our Guide to Birding in NC for more tips and information before heading out.
Discover more nature-centric getaways in The Official 2025 North Carolina Travel Guide.