Aerial view of Pine Island Sanctuary and Currituck Sound. Photo: Sydney Walsh/Audubon
Pine Island

About the Donal C. O’Brien Jr. Audubon Sanctuary and Center at Pine Island

A stronghold for our coast's untamed past and a model for future resilience.
Explore the Center
Our Local Birds
Plan Your Visit

Tucked away on a small dirt road, the Donal C. O'Brien, Jr. Sanctuary in Corolla is one of the last pieces of untouched property on the northeastern portion of the Outer Banks, preserving 2,600 acres of marsh, upland maritime forest and sandy beaches, as well as the historical beauty of the Outer Banks. The sanctuary's campus remains free from development, so birds and wildlife can continue to have a safe place to thrive free from human disturbance. 

1913
Historic hunting lodge, year constructed
2,600
Acres protected
183
Bird species
Meet our Team

Robbie Fearn

Center Director

Pamela Fearn

Educator

Sara Marschhauser

Senior Coordinator of Habitats and Facilities

Cat Bowler

Senior Coastal Resilience Program Manager

Latest Updates from the Sanctuary
Pine Island lodge. Photo: Sydney Walsh/Audubon
Pine Island Year in Review: Habitat and Infrastructure Upgrades Prepare Sanctuary for the Future
November 12, 2025 — This year we made significant updates to make the sanctuary more resilient and improve habitat.
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Short-billed Dowitcher. Photo: Sydney Walsh/Audubon
Audubon, Chapters Join Global Wildlife Tracking Network to Help Birds
November 12, 2025 — NC chapters and our Pine Island Sanctuary are taking advantage of an easy and affordable way to get involved in cool bird science, and it’s paying off.
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Wood Ducks
Inside Look: Restored Pond and Waterway at Audubon’s Pine Island Sanctuary
September 12, 2025 — NC Land and Water Fund-supported project already welcoming back birds.
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Sara Marschhauser playing callbacks during a secretive marsh bird survey. Photo: Ben Graham/Audubon
This Year at Pine Island: Motus Tower, Nesting Birds, and More
June 06, 2025 — We started the year with important projects to improve bird habitat, just in time for the breeding season.
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Black Rail. Photo: Julio Mulero/Flickr (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)
Rolling out the Welcome Mat for Black Rails at Pine Island
March 04, 2025 — Create habitat and they will come. That’s the hope as we develop the perfect breeding ground for Black Rails at our Outer Banks sanctuary.
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Sara and Robbie on Currituck Sound conducting secretive marsh bird surveys.
Pine Island Year in Review: Marsh Research, Wildlife Surveys, and More
November 19, 2024 — We launched new research and advanced restoration projects at our Outer Banks sanctuary, with the help of new partnerships, staff, and volunteers.
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Sara holding a hawk with its wings outstreached
New Habitat Coordinator Takes Flight at Pine Island
May 10, 2024 — Meet the newest member of our team who is doing everything from implementing marsh restoration projects to tracking box turtles and counting secretive marsh birds.
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Behind the Gates: Winter at Pine Island
January 09, 2024 — There’s more to winter at Pine Island than cold weather and waterfowl. Join award-winning photographer Bryan Putnam for a tour.
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