Monkey Island

Location:  Currituck County                Total Size: 15 acres

Site Description: Monkey Island is a remote, natural island located in Currituck Sound.  The island was once the site of the Monkey Island Hunting Club, which remains standing today. Approximately half of the island is forested and has long supported a large colony of wading birds.

Habitats: The island is dominated by a mixed forest of loblolly pine, live oak, red cedar, yaupon and hackberry.  Shrub thickets include wax myrtle, willow and silverling.

Land Use: wildlife conservation

Primary Threats: disturbance to birds, erosion, recreational development/overuse

Protection Status: The site is currently under the jurisdiction of the National Estuarine Research Reserve system.

Conservation Issues: Monkey Island is surrounded by a wooden bulkhead that protects the island from erosion. The bulkhead has collapsed in many places which has resulted in erosion of the island. The bulkhead is in need of repair. An education center and/or camp has been proposed for the island, thus disturbance to the wading bird colony is a concern.

Birds:  Monkey Island supports a mixed-species wading bird colony that includes the following species: Great Egret, Snowy Egret, Little Blue Heron, Tricolored Heron, Cattle Egret, and Green Heron.  It is North Carolina's northernmost wading bird colony and the only colony in Currituck Sound.

Key Bird Species