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Wings Over Water Wildlife Festival

Each year, visitors travel to the beautiful Outer Banks from throughout the United States, in order to participate in the popular Wings Over Water Wildlife Festival. This year, the 14th Annual festival will be held from November 9-14, 2010. All who attend this special event will enjoy this 6-day event that celebrates the variety of wildlife that lives on the Outer Banks.

Visitors who attend the Wings Over Water Festival will have a wonderful opportunity to not only explore the natural wonders of the area, but also to discover the richness of the region's environment.

With a mission to offer a fun way to educate attendees about the area's wildlife, this festival offers 86 programs for those with varying interests. Whether the attendee wants to paddle in the Sound, birdwatch, take photos of the various wildlife species, and more - there is something for everyone at this festival.

Proceeds from the Wings Over Water Festival will benefit the Coastal Wildlife Refuge Society. Established and incorporated in 1989 by a group of local citizens in an effort to provide support for National Wildlife Refuges in eastern North Carolina, the Coastal Wildlife Refuge Society is a non-profit organization.

Participants can enjoy a variety of experiences, all for a modest cost, such as:

  • Exploring areas that are home to nearly 400 species of birds.
  • Taking lessons from expert photographers to learn how to capture the unique beauty of the region with your camera.
  • Visiting local historic landmarks like the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse and the Chicamacomico Life-Saving Station.
  • Touring the North Pond on Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge on Hatteras Island, which is the most popular viewing area for fall birding in North Carolina. During the festival, visitors can even visit South Pond, which is usually closed to visitors.
  • Taking a climb up the historic Currituck Beach Lighthouse and touring the Keeper's House, which is normally closed to the public.
  • Taking a free, short ferry ride to the pirate Blackbeard's hang-out on Ocracoke Island, where you will enjoy the small fishing village and the birds who live there.
  • Paddling the numerous backwaters found in the area or four-wheeling the area north of Corolla towards Carova.
  • Walking the trails in the ancient maritime forests of Buxton Woods and Nags Head Woods for a look at these unique ecosystems.
  • Taking a trip into Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge at night in search of bears and other wildlife who live there.
  • Enjoying the views of the Sounds' natural beauty during a sunrise or sunset kayak tour.
  • Searching the waters of Oregon Inlet for species of Clapper Rails, marsh sparrows and wrens.
  • Touring a local art gallery to see the work of local artists and how they interpret the environment and wildlife of the Outer Banks.
  • Taking a trip to abandoned Portsmouth Island, which is inhabited only by birds and other wildlife.
  • Heading offshore Cape Hatteras into the blue waters of the Gulf Stream to search for pelagic birds.
  • Experiencing a Red Wolf Howling in Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge, where the nearly extinct animal is fighting its way back thanks to preservation efforts.

For more information about the 2010 Wings Over Water Wildlife Festival or the Coastal Wildlife Refuge Society, visit the links below:

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6720 South Virginia Dare Trail
Nags Head, NC 27959
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