Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge
Location: Dare County
Total Size: 152,262 acres
Map
Site Description: Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge is located on
the Dare County mainland in northeastern North Carolina. The refuge is a vast
area of dense, low pocosin and nonriverine swamp forest with small blackwater
streams. The majority of the refuge is wild and inaccessible, but
the US Fish and Wildlife Service has established several access areas where one
can explore the refuge by canoe or foot. Red
wolves were released on the refuge in 1987. An estimated 100 wolves may
roam the refuge today.
Habitats: deciduous forest, coniferous forest, mixed forest, shrub/scrub, brackish marsh, lake/pond, agricultural. The site is a vast expanse of relatively unbroken and diverse nonriverine swamp forest and pocosin. Forest include stands of Atlantic white cedar, pond pine woodland, loblolly pine, cypress-gum swamp. Some agricultural lands are planted seasonally and managed for waterfowl.
Land Use: wildlife conservation, other conservation, recreation/tourism, hunting, agriculture/cultivation.
Primary Threats: Introduced plants/animals, natural pests/disease, predation
Protection Status: The entire site is protected and managed by the USFWS.
Conservation Issues: None
Birds: The site holds a significant suite of species associated with pocosin,
Atlantic white cedar and hardwood swamp forests, including several Watchlist species. In addition the site holds a significant diversity of
migratory landbirds. Anhingas and Red-cockaded Woodpeckers are also found on the
refuge, but no current population estimates are available. This is near
the northern limit of the breeding range for both
species. This is one of North Carolina's most important
sites for Black-throated Green Warblers.
Key Bird Species
|
Criteria |
Season |
Number |
||
| 2 | Prairie Warbler | B | -- | |
| 2 | Prothonotary Warbler | B | -- | |
| 2 | Worm-eating Warbler | B | -- | |
| 2 | Black-throated Green Warbler | B | -- | |
| 2 | Swainson's Warbler | B | -- | |
| 2 | Brown-headed Nuthatch | B | -- | |
| Red-cockaded Woodpecker | all | -- | ||
| Anhinga | B | -- | ||
| 4b | Tundra Swan | W | 1000+ | |
| 4g | diversity of migratory landbirds | |||
| 3 | pocosin |
B=Breeding FM=Fall Migration
SM=Spring Migration W=Winter
Sources:
Alligator River NWR