By Heather Bariso, Coastal Educator The Diamondback Terrapin (Malaclemys terrapin) is a species of Special Concern in North Carolina. They get their name from the diamond shaped swirls on their shells. Each scute, or shell scale, has a unique pattern of whorls that makes each turtle different. Skin color and pattern varies between turtles as...
By Tyler Petruccelli, Fall Conservation Intern One of the most beautiful species of bird found on Bald Head Island is the Painted Bunting (Passerina cerris), a small passerine species in the cardinal family. Adult males are easily identifiable by their vibrant and multicolored plumage, boasting blue, green, and red feathers. Females and...
By Jonathan Saldeen, Fall 2023 Conservation Intern Red Drum (Sciaenops ocellatus) is one of the most sought-after game fish for recreational anglers from Massachusetts to South Texas. These fish are known for their reddish copper coloration, distinctive black spot on their tails, and the drumming sound they make. Red drum do this “drumming” by...
By Hannah Miu, Conservation Intern (Fall 2023) If you were to ask someone to imagine the beaches of Bald Head Island, odds are they would picture ocean waves breaking over the shoals, gulls and willets darting in and out of the water, and miles of long, grassy sand dunes. Dunes are a key fixture of […]
by Morgan Greene, Education Part-timer You’re leaning over the railing at the Bald Head Island Wildlife Overlook, scanning the surface of this natural freshwater pond for signs of movement. Apart from the cicadas buzzing in the trees, all is quiet. All is still—ah! At the edge of the pond, something dark green and reptilian rises […]
by Morgan Greene, Education Part-Timer During the summer, the Conservancy’s tour of Middle Island and its famous Ibis Sanctuary treats tourists and locals alike to stunning wildlife sightings. One might spot a Bald eagle soaring high over the marsh, or maybe catch a glimpse of a beautiful Painted bunting singing at the top of a […]
by Morgan Hooks, Environmental Content Creator Winter is the season of love; from the holidays to Valentine’s Day, we are often at our most affectionate, most giving, and most romantic. That applies, too, to many of our wild neighbors who are preparing their best breeding plumage for courtship, mating, and raising their offspring with a […]
By Morgan Hooks, Environmental Content Creator 2022 was a wonderful, wild year on Bald Head Island. It was my first full year on-staff here at the Conservancy, and it was a year that kept my curiosity peaked, my mind open to learn more and more, and my camera always steady and ready in my hands. […]
By Desiree Bridge, Turtle Central Assistant Manager The American holly (Ilex Opaca) is native to eastern and south-central United States. Like the English holly, but with duller darker leaves, the American holly is easily recognized in the winter months with its’ vibrant red berries. For the plant to produce berries, both a male and female...
by Ben Cotter, Fall 2022 Intern On the first day of Christmas, my true love sent to me An Osprey in a Marsh Tree (Unlike eagles or hawks, ospreys will always catch and hold its prey head-first to reduce wind resistance as they fly.) On the second day of Christmas, my true love sent to […]
Location: P.O. Box 3109, 700 Federal Rd. Bald Head Island, North Carolina 28461 EIN#: 58-1574496
Phone: Office: (910)-457-0089
Email: info@bhic.org