Site Description: Currituck Sound is a shallow, brackish water system located between the northern Outer Banks and mainland, in the northeastern region of North Carolina. The IBA includes the extensive system of brackish marshes, creeks, channels, open water and the adjacent Pine Island Audubon Sanctuary. The Currituck Banks region of North Carolina has experienced rapid residential development in the past decade. In just a few short years the 2.5 miles of maritime shrub thicket, forest and ponds on the Audubon Sanctuary will be the only natural area remaining south of Corolla. The maritime shrub thickets of Pine Island are among the largest areas of this type remaining in the region.

Habitats: Maritime shrub thicket, mixed forest, estuary, brackish marsh, open water, shallow-water impoundments.

Land Use: Wildlife conservation, recreation/tourism/, hunting, fisheries

Primary Threats: water pollution, disturbance to birds, natural pests, residential/commercial development

Conservation Issues: Water quality is an issue of concern for all of Currituck Sound. Declines in submerged aquatic vegetation and subsequent declines in waterfowl and fisheries have been attributed to increased salinity, turbidity, and non-point source pollution. With increased development and increased recreational activity on Currituck Sound, disturbance to birds has become a great concern in recent years.

Protection Status: The National Audubon Society protects 6,600 acres. The remaining acreage is held by a private hunting club.

Birds: Currituck Sound has long been recognized for the great numbers of waterfowl that utilize the Sound during fall and winter. As many as 10% of the waterfowl on the Altantic Flyway once wintered in the area. Today, numbers have declined considerably, but the Sound still supports 20,000-25,000 ducks geese, and swans annually. A great diversity of songbirds utilize the maritime shrub thickets during fall migration and marshes support rails, bitterns, and wading birds. 170 bird species have been recorded on the Pine Island Audubon Sanctuary. The site has significant maritime shrub thicket and forest habitat (criteria 3).

Key Birds