Habitats: maritime forest, saltmarsh, barrier beach/dune, river, sandflat/mudflat

Land Use: wildlife conservation, other conservation, recreation/tourism, development

Primary Threats: residential/commercial development, recreational development/overuse, disturbance to birds, predation

Protection Status: Approximately 10,000 acres are protected as part of the NC State Park system and NC Division of Coastal Management. This includes all marshes, Zeke's Island, Bluff Island and portions of Bald Head Island. The majority of Bald Head and Middle Island are privately owned.

Conservation Issues: Bald Head and Middle Islands are being developed, although areas on both sites have been set aside for conservation. The majority of development will directly impact the maritime forest community. Raccoon and fox populations are abnormally high and have a significant impact on ground-nesting birds. Scientists from the University of North Carolina at Wilmington are currently studying water quality in the Cape Fear River. The southern end of the Fort Fisher spit is open to ORVs during the summer months. This activity and increased recreational use of the area have contributed to the decline in beach-nesting birds in recent years.

Birds: The site includes one of the state's largest and best examples of maritime forest (Criteria 3). The site supports the state's largest population of breeding painted buntings. Thousands of shorebirds (19 species) stopover during migration and winter in the area, utilizing the extensive tidal flats, marshes, and beach. Thousands of wading birds from the nearby Battery Island colony (8-10,000+ prs.) forage in the marshes, freshwater ponds, and along tidal creeks. Waterfowl numbers have declined over the past decade, but at least 12 species of ducks are common in the river, tidal creeks, bays and ponds. The area probably supports the state's largest wintering population of common goldeneyes (10-20 birds). The lower Cape Fear River supports the state's largest group of Great Cormorants, 8-15 individuals during winter months. Peregrine falcons are common during fall migration. Least Terns (10-50 pairs), Black Skimmers (20 pairs), Willets, Wilson's Plovers and American Oystercatchers nest on area beaches. Saltmarsh Sharp-tailed Sparrows, Seaside Sparrows and Clapper Rails are abundant in area marshes. Raptors, especially peregrines, merlins, kestrels and Sharp-shins are regular visitors during migration. 

Key Bird Species