Masonboro Island
Location: New Hanover County
Total
Size: 5,097 acres
Map
Site Description: Masonboro Island is a 8.3-mile long, low-lying,
undeveloped barrier island located between Wrightsville Beach and Carolina Beach.
In the southern coastal region of North Carolina, from Cape Lookout to the South
Carolina line, Masonboro Island is one of the few remaining undeveloped and
relatively undisturbed barrier islands. This long, narrow barrier island and
associated tidal marshes, creeks, and bays provide a diverse array of habitats
for many species of birds throughout the year. The barrier island
has been altered somewhat by the construction of a rock jetty on the northern
end that extends several hundred yards into the ocean. This jetty, built
to maintain a navigable channel in Masonboro Inlet, is one of the few places in
North Carolina with wintering purple sandpipers and often a Great Cormorant or
two. At the same time, the jetty causes accelerated erosion on the beachfront
which must receive dredged sand periodically to replace sand lost as a result of
the jetties. Lastly, Masonboro Island is a popular destination for
recreational pursuits throughout the year.
Habitats: barrier beach/dune, saltmarsh/estuary, sandflat/mudflat, maritime shrub thicket, dredged sand disposal areas
Of the 5,097 acres that comprise the island, approximately 87% are marsh/estuary while the remaining 13% is uplands. Habitats present include: subtidal softbottoms, tidal creeks, intertidal mud and sand flats, salt marshes, an artificial rock jetty, maritime shrub thickets, dredge material areas, dunes and ocean beaches. The effects of three recent hurricanes (i.e. Bertha, Fran and Bonnie) during 1996-98 demonstrate the dynamic nature of barrier islands: substantial westward island migration (100+ ft. in some areas) and dramatic alteration of dune and shrub thicket communities, particularly within the southern half of the island. Dominate plants communities include: dunes (primary and secondary), maritime shrub thicket, salt marsh (intertidal and supratidal) and dredge material areas.
Land Use: other conservation, recreation, wildlife conservation, dredged-material deposition, hunting, fishing,
Primary Threats: disturbance to birds, recreational overuse
Protection Status: The site is protected and managed but he NC National
Estuarine Research Reserve program.
Conservation Issues: Disturbance to nesting birds is a critical
concern. The island receives extremely heavy recreational use during the warmer months,
especially on the northern and southern ends. This use has displaced
nesting birds. In recent years, recreation use and unleashed pets appears
to be increasing in the more remote areas of the island. This presents a
significant problem for beach-nesting birds that have already abandoned the more
heavily-used areas of the island.
Birds: Masonboro Island is one of the few undeveloped and relatively undisturbed barrier islands remaining in North Carolina and supports the suite of bird species typically associated with barrier island habitats (criteria 3). American Oystercatchers and Willets are abundant and nest throughout the site, but no formal surveys have been conducted. Terns and skimmers nest on the beachfront. A great variety of shorebirds, wading birds and marshbirds are abundant during migration and winter months.
Key Bird Species
|
Criteria |
Season |
Number |
||
|
4d |
Shorebirds |
FM,W,SM |
1500-3000 |
|
|
2 |
Seaside Sparrow |
FM,W |
-- |
|
|
2 |
Nelson's sharp-tailed Sparrow |
FM,W |
-- |
|
|
2 |
Saltmarsh sharp-tailed Sparrow |
FM,W |
-- |
|
|
4a |
Black Skimmer |
FM |
500-3,000 |
|
|
4a |
Least Tern |
B |
75-120 prs. |
|
| Piping Plover | FM,W,SM | 1-5 | ||
|
4a |
American Oystercatcher | FM, W | 50-100 | |
| Hooded Merganser | W | 100-200 | ||
| Willet | all | 50-150 |
B=Breeding FM=Fall Migration
SM=Spring Migration W=Winter
Sources:
John Taggert, NC Natural Estuarine research Reserve
NC Colonial Waterbird Database
W. Golder, personal observations