Outer Banks

North Carolina

The Outer Banks of North Carolina is a premier East Coast birding destination with nearly 400 documented bird species. This barrier island chain features world-class refuges including Pea Island NWR with over 370 species, exceptional pelagic birding in the nearby Gulf Stream, and massive concentrations of wintering waterfowl including thousands of snow geese and tundra swans.

Best Months to Visit

December to February, September to November

Birding Season

Year-round

Notable Species

Snow Goose Tundra Swan Piping Plover Red Knot Black Skimmer

Top Birding Guides in Outer Banks

Browse our selection of expert birding guides serving the Outer Banks area.

Brian Patteson & Kate Sutherland - Seabirding

5.0

Premier pelagic birding operation based in Hatteras offering year-round trips to the Gulf Stream on the 61-foot Stormy Petrel II. Brian Patteson has led pelagic trips since 1990, moving full-time to Hatteras in 1995; Kate Sutherland is a marine biologist and co-captain with over 20 years offshore experience. Their expertise in seabirds, marine mammals, and sea turtles is unmatched on the East Coast, making Seabirding the most active pelagic bird watching operator in the eastern United States.

Pelagic seabirds Gulf Stream birding Marine mammals

35 years of experience

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Coastal Kayak Touring Company

5.0

National Geographic Top 100 Best Adventures company offering guided kayak and SUP birding tours at six wildlife locations from Duck to Hatteras Island since 1999. Led by President Joe O'Grady, they provide exclusive access to Pine Island Audubon Sanctuary and expert-guided tours through Pea Island NWR (365+ bird species), Alligator River NWR (250+ species), and Kitty Hawk Woods Coastal Reserve. Their knowledgeable guides specialize in bird identification and ecological education.

Kayak-based birding Wetland birds Wildlife refuges

26 years of experience

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Wings Over Water Festival

5.0

One of the premier wildlife festivals on the East Coast, hosted annually since 1997 across six national wildlife refuges in northeastern North Carolina. Organized by the Coastal Wildlife Refuge Society, the festival offers approximately 60 programs including guided birding tours, kayak trips, photography workshops, and natural history programs led by expert naturalists and birders. The 2025 festival runs October 14-19 with an Encore December 5-7.

Festival coordination Multi-refuge tours Educational programs

28 years of experience

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Best Life Birding - Sally Siko

5.0

Professional birding guide and wildlife photography instructor based in central North Carolina who leads tours throughout the state including the Outer Banks. Sally combines nearly 20 years of photography experience with a lifetime of birding expertise to help birders find new species and capture stunning photographs. Her tours welcome birders and photographers of all skill levels and visit prime locations including Pea Island NWR and other coastal hotspots.

Bird photography Educational tours Beginner-friendly

20 years of experience

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