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Wings Over Water Wildlife Festival

People travel from across the United States to attend the Wings Over Water Wildlife Festival, held each year in the Outer Banks. This year, the 13th Annual festival will take place November 3-8, 2009. This 6-day event celebrates the "wild side" of the Outer Banks, and offers visitors a wonderful opportunity to explore the area's natural beauty and the wildlife that live here.

Event attendees take advantage of the variety of opportunities offered at this event, some of which are only available during the 6 day timeframe of the festival. There are 86 different programs offered during the festival, varying in theme. There is something for everyone, whether you are paddling a canoe through the area Sound waters, taking a charter boat offshore to view species found there, touring different wildlife areas to take photographs, and more.

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

For a modest cost, participants can select from such varied experiences as:

  • Touring a variety of areas on the Outer Banks, which is home to nearly 400 birds species.
  • Learning from some of the area's expert photographers how to capture the unique beauty of the region when taking photographs.
  • Visiting beautiful historic landmarks of the area, including the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse and the Chicamacomico Life-Saving Station.
  • Taking a trip to Hatteras Island and tour Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge. You can visit North Pond, which is the hottest spot for fall birding in North Carolina, and you can also visit South Pond during the festival, which is usually closed to visitors.
  • Tour the Keeper's House, which is usually closed to the public, and climb the historic Currituck Beach Lighthouse for some amazing "views from the top."
  • Take an afternoon ferry ride from Hatteras to Ocracoke Island, the quaint fishing village that was pirate Blackbeard's hang-out, and is also home to many bird species.
  • Travel by water and paddle the area's backwaters in a kayak or canoe, or hop on a 4-wheeler and tour the area north of Corolla.
  • Visit the area's ancient maritime forests, Buxton Woods and Nags Head Woods, for a look at the rare ecosystems found here.
  • Venture into Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge at night for a fun adventure as you search for bears and other wildlife.
  • Take in the views of the waterways' natural beauty during a sunrise or sunset kayak tour with family and/or friends.
  • Wade in Oregon Inlet waters as you search for Clapper Rails, marsh sparrows and wrens.
  • Visit a local art gallery to see how Outer Banks artists interpret the environment and wildlife found here.
  • Take a day trip and explore a Ghost Town on Portsmouth Island, located just south of Ocracoke Island an only accessible by boat or kayak.
  • Venture off Cape Hatteras by boat and head for the blue waters of the Gulf Stream, where you can search for pelagic birds.
  • Return to Alligator River National Wildlife, where you can experience a Red Wolf Howling, as the nearly extinct animal is fighting its way back in this region.

For more information about the 2009 Wings Over Water Wildlife Festival or the Coastal Wildlife Refuge Society, visit the links below:

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