Beacon Island Audubon Sanctuary
Location: Hyde County
Total Size: 12 acres
Site Description:
Beacon Island is a natural estuarine island located in southeastern Pamlico
Sound, near Ocracoke Island. The island is small, low in elevation and
dominated by grassy vegetation. The site has a long history of use by nesting
colonial waterbirds. The site is posted and patrolled, and is off-limits to all visitors.
Habitats:
high saltmarsh
Land Use:
wildlife conservation
Primary Threats: disturbance to nesting birds
Protection Status: The site is protected and managed by the National Audubon Society.
Conservation Issues: The island is posted, patrolled and is entirely off-limits to visitors during the nesting season from 1 April to 1 September. Disturbance to nesting birds is a primary concern.
Birds: Beacon Island has long been a nesting site for brown pelicans. It was here, in 1928, that the species was first recorded nesting in North Carolina. The island supports one of the state's largest colonies of Brown Pelicans. The island also support a colony Laughing Gulls that can range in number from 200 to more than 5000 pairs. Two to three pairs of American Oystercatchers nest on the island every year along with Clapper Rails, Herring Gulls, Great-Black-backed Gulls and Forster's Terns.
Key Bird Species
|
Criteria |
Season |
Number |
|
|
4a, 4f |
Brown Pelican |
B |
600 prs. |
|
4a, 4f |
Laughing Gull |
B |
200-5,000 prs. |
B=Breeding FM=Fall Migration
SM=Spring Migration W=Winter
Sources:
National Audubon Society--NC