Coast

Conserving North Carolina's Coasts

Photo: Lindsay Addison

The Audubon North Carolina Coast Islands and Sanctuaries Program manages and protects 40% of North Carolina's nesting coastal waterbirds and contributes to science that protects both breeding and non-breeding birds in the state year-round. This long-term commitment to these sites, and the partnerships with agencies and other organizations that are created and sustained by that work, are the foundation of our leadership role in coastal bird conservation in North Carolina.

The sanctuary program’s ongoing mission is to manage, monitor, and protect our sites using best practices and support partners in doing the same; provide meaningful data to agencies and policymakers; and lead and support research that generates new knowledge about coastal birds and the habitats they depend on. This work connects all of our other coast-related work: policy, planning, and advocacy for the sites and resources coastal birds need to face an uncertain climate future, and education and outreach that engages Audubon’s network and inspires individuals to support coastal conservation.

Sharing Our Ocean & Shores
Coast

Sharing Our Ocean & Shores

Protecting coastal habitats for generations to come.

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Coast Islands and Sanctuary Program
Coast

Coast Islands and Sanctuary Program

For more than 25 years, Audubon’s Coastal Island Sanctuary Program has been a model for conservation along the Atlantic Flyway.

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Coastal Birds: Your Top Questions, Answered
Coast

Coastal Birds: Your Top Questions, Answered

We hope these FAQs on coastal birds will help you find the birds you most wish to see, better support birds during nesting and migration season, and more!

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Birds You Can Help Right Now

American Oystercatcher

Latin:  Haematopus palliatus

Illustration for American Oystercatcher

Least Tern

Latin:  Sternula antillarum

Illustration for Least Tern

Brown Pelican

Latin:  Pelecanus occidentalis

Illustration for Brown Pelican

Piping Plover

Latin:  Charadrius melodus

Illustration for Piping Plover

Great Egret

Latin:  Ardea alba

Illustration for Great Egret

Laughing Gull

Latin:  Leucophaeus atricilla

Illustration for Laughing Gull

Snowy Egret

Latin:  Egretta thula

Illustration for Snowy Egret

Black Skimmer

Latin:  Rynchops niger

Illustration for Black Skimmer

Latest Coast Posts

Why Inlets Are Special
Coast

Why Inlets Are Special

Learn how natural inlets support hundreds of nesting and migrating shorebirds in North Carolina.

Save Rich Inlet
Coast

Save Rich Inlet

We need your help protecting one of the LAST natural inlets in our state. Be the voice for our coastal birds!

Rich Inlet Is Naturally Important to Birds
Coast

Rich Inlet Is Naturally Important to Birds

Rich is one of the few natural inlets left in the state. It has escaped hard structures like jetties and terminal groins that drastically alter inlets and destroy habitat that birds require.

Why It’s Important to Share the Beach with Birds
Coast

Why It’s Important to Share the Beach with Birds

It’s a great time to see lots of activity at the south end of Wrightsville Beach, and a great time to think about how this nesting site fits into the bigger picture.

Cape Fear River Nesting Update Part 2
Coast

Cape Fear River Nesting Update Part 2

The nesting season is winding down on the Cape Fear River, as new fledglings take to the air.

Speak up for Cape Hatteras National Seashore
Coast

Speak up for Cape Hatteras National Seashore

The National Park Service is seeking input from the public. This is your opportunity to speak up for those who enjoy the Seashore for all that it offers to birds, sea turtles, other wildlife.

Lea Hutaff Nesting Update – Late June to Early July
Coast

Lea Hutaff Nesting Update – Late June to Early July

Now that it’s late summer, nesting on Lea-Hutaff is tapering off. See what our shorebirds are doing right now.

Oystercatcher Banding Day Part 2
Coast

Oystercatcher Banding Day Part 2

Thanks to the bands, ornithologists and citizen scientists up and down the coast, we will be able to follow the lives of our four oystercatchers for years to come.

Oystercatcher Banding Day Part 1
Coast

Oystercatcher Banding Day Part 1

Learn about the banding process to monitor shorebirds along the coast.

Ocracoke Inlet Islands Update
Coast

Ocracoke Inlet Islands Update

The Ocracoke Inlet is home to several islands providing a vibrant nesting habitat for shorebirds.

How you can help, right now