Habitats: Saltmarsh, estuary, sandflat/mudflat, beach/dune, maritime shrub thicket/forest and dredged-material areas.

Land Use: Other conservation, dredged-material deposition, wildlife conservation

Primary Threats: feral horses, recreational development/overuse

Protection Status: The Rachel Carson Estuarine Reserve is a component of the NC National Estuarine Research Reserve. Previous impacts from visitor use (e.g. camping) has been virtually eliminated by posting of signs and regular staff patrols. However, management of the feral horses has necessitated a dart birth control program to avoid the overgrazing/starvation problems of the late 1980’s. The work is being done by contract with the NCSU Vet. College and the National Humane Society. Since horses cannot be removed because of strong public sentiment, a maximum herd number of 30 has been set. grazing and trampling by the horses will still occur, but at a level that will be compatible with most of the mother species inhabiting the site.

Conservation Issues: The main issue concerns impacts from feral horses--grazing of salt marshes, trampling of various habitats. Feral Horses roam the uplands and marsh areas within Carrot Island-Town Marsh-Bird Shoal-Horse Island portion of the reserve, while Middle Marshes is a pristine salt marsh complex with isolated uplands. The horses have been detrimental to nesting efforts by some species (e.g. Least Terns, Black Skimmers) because of nest trampling. Visitor use is increasing, but does not appear to be causing and significant problems.

Birds: The Rachel Carson reserve site contains a large number of habitats, particularly wetland types, that occur in close proximity. Among these habitats are extensive intertidal mud and sand flats, ideal foraging areas for waterbirds. (The following description is excerpted from Fussell and Wilson, 1983) "The Carrot Island-Bird Shoal complex is notable as a a major roosting area for waterbirds, and having a rich diversity of shorebirds. It has probably the richest diversity of intertidal shorebirds of any area in North Carolina. Although there is relatively little waterbird nesting on the complex, it is an important feeding area for young birds from nesting sites near Cape Lookout, near Fort Macon, and in the lower Newport River. At certain times of the year, Carrot Island-Bird Shoal serves as a roosting areas for thousands of birds. Particularly large concentrations exist in the fall. The narrow inlet beach is the main roosting area Carrot Island-Bird Shoal may be extremely valuable to migrating species."