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

Priority Bird Profile: American Oystercatchers
Coast

Priority Bird Profile: American Oystercatchers

American Oystercatchers are one of the focal species of our coastal work, and one of North Carolina's more recognizable beach nesting birds. Here's where you can find it, how you can help it, and why it matters!

Where Do Pelicans Go in the Winter?
Coast

Where Do Pelicans Go in the Winter?

While 8,000-10,000 adults inhabit the state during the spring and summer nesting months, our population of Brown Pelicans dips as most head south in the fall.

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!

What Happens to Pelicans When It Freezes?
Coast

What Happens to Pelicans When It Freezes?

While most of North Carolina’s Brown Pelicans migrate south, some remain in the state throughout the (typically milder) coastal winter. When temperatures dip below freezing, however, it's important to know how to help birds in need.

Oyster Reef Project Underway on the Lower Cape Fear River
Coast

Oyster Reef Project Underway on the Lower Cape Fear River

This fall saw the start of Audubon North Carolina’s latest coastal project, an effort to restore oyster reefs on the Lower Cape Fear River.

A Partnership to Protect over 50,000 birds Along the Cape Fear River
Eco-Friendly Habitat Management

A Partnership to Protect over 50,000 birds along the Cape Fear River

Funding from The Orton Foundation will allow Audubon to manage eight islands on the Cape Fear River with the goal of increasing nesting pairs and populations.

Sea Turtle Nesting Hits a New High on Lea-Hutaff Island
Coast

Sea Turtle Nesting Hits a New High on Lea-Hutaff Island

An estimated 1,458 loggerhead hatchlings made it to the ocean this year, another record number for Lea-Hutaff Island.

Assessing How Shoreline Change Impacts Nesting Waterbirds
Coast

Assessing How Shoreline Change Impacts Nesting Waterbirds

In certain areas along the shoreline in front of a Battery Island nesting colony, erosion is causing vegetation to die back. Here, we assess the extent of this shoreline change and determine how it may impact nesting waterbirds.

2017 Waterbird Nesting Season Recap
Coast

2017 Waterbird Nesting Season Recap

This year the Lower Cape Fear River sites hosted about 20% of the state’s Great Egrets and Brown Pelicans, over 25% of its Royal Terns, and just over 78% of its White Ibis -- one of the largest concentrations of nesting waterbirds in the state.

Oystercatcher Banding Leads to Big Find
Coast

Oystercatcher Banding Leads to Big Find

Oystercatcher banding is a regular management practice - but rarely does it result in finding a 17+ year-old bird!

How you can help, right now