Cedar Island National Wildlife Refuge

Little blue heron (© Robin Bjork)

Osprey in flight (© TNC)

Size in Acres:
14,482

Involvement in Acres:
2,061

Topographical Map:
Atlantic, North Bay

Topographical maps are available by contacting:
NC Geographical Survey.
1612 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, NC 27699-1612.
(919) 715-9718
www.geology.enr.state.nc.us/

Activities & Amenities:
Birding / Small Boats / Large Boats / Boat Ramp

Ownership & Acecess:
Cedar Island National Wildlife Refuge
c/o Mattamuskeet National Wildlife Refuge
Rt. 1, Box N-2
Swan Quarter, NC 27885
(252) 926-4021

Site Information:
Cedar Island is an estuarine barrier island at the mouth of the Pamlico Sound with many of the characteristics of an ocean front barrier island. Cedar Island is the only barrier island in North Carolina that faces inward toward Pamlico Sound.  The wildlife refuge contains extensive salt and brackish marshes, as well as hummocks and ridges dominated by red cedar. Cedar Island also harbors well-developed wet pine flatwoods, pond pine woodland communities, and what is possibly the northernmost example of a coastal fringe sandhill.

The refuge is a great birding spot, as it is inhabited by northern harrier, merlin, and peregrine falcon, and provides breeding habitat for black rail and black duck. The ferry terminal provides excellent viewing of swallows, migrant landbirds, raptors, waterfowl, skimmers, and sandpipers.  Fall and winter are the best seasons to see migratory birds and not be bothered by voracious mosquitoes. Traveling in a canoe or kayak is a great way to explore the refuge’s vast marshes and see the area’s bird life.

Conservation Highlights:
Bayland Corporation donated 2,061 acres of this land to The Nature Conservancy in 1991. The Conservancy transferred the tract, containing 7.5 miles of shoreline frontage and valued at $1.5 million, to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for inclusion in Cedar Island National Wildlife Refuge.

Directions:
Take US 70 and NC 12 east 45 miles from Morehead City-Beaufort to Cedar Island. The Lola Road office is open Monday through Friday 7:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m., visitors are welcome. Lola Road provides a three-mile route to the bay, where there’s a boat ramp. The refuge is only open during daylight hours. For more information, please call the Lola Road office at (252) 225-2511.