Nature's BestThe area is a paradise for bird watchers, with migratory species like neotropical songbirds living here in summer and arctic waterfowl (ducks, swans, etc.) in winter. Herons, owls, and osprey are commonly seen on the peninsula, while red-cockaded woodpeckers and even bald eagles can be observed on occasion.. Resident mammal species include black bear, beaver, otter, deer, and the reintroduced red wolf.The rivers, sounds, and creeks of the Albemarle-Pamlico host a tremendous variety of fish. In fact, over 90% of the seafood species caught by North Carolina fishermen spend at least part of their lives in estuarine waters, including such dinnertime favorites as flounder, striped bass, blue crab, shrimp, red drum, croaker, and herring. Rare plant species growing wild include the carnivorous Venus flytrap and the pitcher plant; wildflowers like the cardinal, marsh mallow, and blue-flag fern flourish here; as well as rare loosestrife, larkspur, and jointvetch. |
