Bird Chatter, Bears and Wolves: A Family Nature Outing Perhaps?

Migratory Waterfowl (Tundra Swans, Snow Geese) on Pungo Lake by John Chrystal
Source: http://www.pocosinlakesfriends.org/

 

My husband called it the "Serengeti of Birds", and it happens right here in our own state of North Carolina! Every winter between November and the end of February, North Carolina's natural lakes of the coastal plain serve as the landing pad for hundreds of thousands of migratory waterfowl, including tundra swans and snow geese. Lake Pungo of Pocosin Lakes National Wildlife Refuge and Lake Mattamuskeet are both wildlife refuge areas where the public can witness this spectacle of nature. While this is mostly an outing partaken by birders and nature enthusiasts, the area's abundance of wildlife, including black bears and red wolves, make for excellent nature experiences for the whole family. Pocosin Lakes in particular is managed to support an abundance of wildlife. It is like being at the zoo, except the animals aren't in pens! The sandy roads are covered with footprints, scat, and claw marks from various species of mammals and the continuous chatter of the migratory birds comes in stereo sound from the surrounding ponds and fields. The management prevents you from getting too close to the birds so as not to disrupt them, but the shear numbers provide a spectacle not to be missed. Certain areas appear covered in blankets of white birds.

Tundra Swan
Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tundra_Swan

 

This eastern portion of our state is fairly remote. There isn't much in the way of amenities and the ranger stations are closed on the weekends. While I think it is a great opportunity to expose kids to nature like they have never seen before, it is definitely a trip that needs to be well planned. I would recommend going with a group. In fact this would be a perfect jaunt for a family nature club. Make sure you have detailed maps of the area and plenty of drinking water and food. Check the weather before going, because if it has rained recently, the refuge roads will be impassable. 

 

The wildlife is not dangerous as long as you exercise common sense. Stay in groups, don't allow children to go off by themselves, don't approach any of the wildlife and especially not baby animals, and definitely don't feed them. The wildlife will be more scared of you than you are of it and we want to keep it this way. Black bears only become a nuisance if they are acclimated to humans. This normally occurs due to feeding them which causes the bears to view us as a source of food rather than a threat. Bears at Pocosin have not been acclimated to humans so it is very important to follow the adages: "Leave no Trace" and "Take only photos, leave only footprints."

 

Source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife, http://www.nhptv.org/wild/pocosins.asp

There are some guided trips to these areas. Most have an age limit of 12 and up. Though younger children may not have the patience to move at the pace of a traditional "nature walk," these wildlife refuges still hold wonder and excitement that can be harnessed by younger children. Imagine seeing a fresh bear print that tells a story of a 400 lb bear recently passing through. Or better yet, seeing one in person, which is almost guaranteed at Pocosin. 

 

To learn more about Pocosin Lakes or to talk to a ranger, visit the website here.

 

For information on Mattamuskeet, visit the website here.

 

If you care to look into tours, you can check out these links Friends of Pocosin Lakes NWR or Museum of Natural Sciences.