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Roanoke Island Marsh

Roanoke Island Marsh Map

LOCATION:
Coast
Dare County

SIZE IN ACRES:
875

INVOLVEMENT IN ACRES:
875


Tri-colored heron
Tri-colored heron (© TNC)
Black Ducks
Black ducks taking flight (© TNC)

TOPOGRAPHICAL MAP:
Manteo, Wanchese

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

OWNERSHIP & ACCESS:
N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission
1701 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, NC 27699-1701
(919) 733-7291

WHAT TO SEE: PLANTS AND ANIMALS                One of the largest undisturbed expanses of black needlerush marsh remaining in North Carolina, Roanoke Island Marsh also contains loblolly pine and cedar-covered hammocks. The marshes provide important feeding habitat for river otter, wading birds, and shorebirds, including black duck, gadwall, and black and clapper rails.

Birders will be interested to know that the marsh supports a breeding population of the state's significantly rare black rail. This secretive nocturnal rail is on the must-see lists of many birders and is a species of special concern due to its declining numbers and loss of habitat. Most of the hardy birders who have ventured into the aptly named needlerush have only heard the bird, as it is very difficult to spot.

CONSERVATION HIGHLIGHTS:
The Nature Conservancy helped protect this land through a combination of purchases and donations. Louis and Dora Midgette have been generously donating installment gifts of land to the Conservancy throughout the 1990s. The Nature Conservancy has transferred the marshland to the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission.

DIRECTIONS:
As you pass through Manteo on your way to the Northern Outer Banks, the US 64 bridge takes you over Roanoke Sound and Roanoke Island Marsh.  You get a great view of the marsh as you head east on US 64 a couple of miles past Manteo. You can reach a parking area to view the marsh by turning south opposite the Pirate's Cove marina, just west of the high-rise bridge.