The expanse of wildlife refuge that encompasses the Pocosin Lakes National Wildlife Refuge and Lake Mattamuskeet in northeastern North Carolina is host to one of the largest concentrations of black bears and various waterfowl species on the East Coast. For two days, a group trip organized by Halyburton Park will explore these vast natural areas in search of wildlife.
Andy Fairbanks, Halyburton Park recreation supervisor, has led this two-day overnight trip or something similar for the past eight years and said the northeast region of the state provides a unique experience for observing wildlife.
“Pocosin Lakes is a unique place,” Fairbanks said. “It is an incredibly large wildlife refuge and it is managed for wildlife so there are lots of cornfields out there they put out for wildlife like waterfowl. It also has one of the highest densities of black bears on the East Coast so it is a good place to see them in the wild.”
A bus will depart Halyburton Park early Friday, Nov. 21, for a day of bird watching around Lake Mattamuskeet.
Mike Campbell, N.C. Wildlife Resource Commission regional education specialist, drove through the Pocosin Lakes and Lake Mattamuskeet areas Thursday, Nov. 6, and said he observed ducks and a few snow geese. However, by the time the group arrives Nov. 21, Campbell said there should be plenty of snow geese in the area.
“They usually show up a little after the full moon in November and, especially with a front moving in this weekend, they should be there,” Campbell said during a Monday, Nov. 10, phone interview.
After touring Lake Mattamuskeet, Fairbanks said the group will stay overnight at the Eastern 4-H Environmental Education and Conference Center in Columbia, where he and Campbell will lead a presentation about black bears. Bright and early the following morning those on the tour will have a chance to see all they learned about the bears in person.
“The reason we stay overnight is so we can wake up incredibly early and get to Pocosin Lakes before sunrise to observe black bears in the wild,” Fairbanks said. “Morning is a good time to see them because they are coming out to feed.”
Fairbanks said those on the trip are encouraged to bring their own binoculars or spotting scopes because the bears will be observed from a safe distance.
While touring the area Nov. 6, Campbell said he saw nine bears total without stopping in any one spot.
While black bears are the focus of the trip Saturday, Fairbanks said that could shift to any other species of interest the group encounters.
“The focus is on black bears but there is so much wildlife up there at Pocosin Lakes that if we see other birds or wildlife of interest we will focus on that as well,” he said. “Typically there is no shortage of bald eagles up there or snow geese, which are just starting to arrive for winter.”
Fairbanks said the trip costs $100, which includes transportation and lodging. For more information about the trip, phone 910-341-0075.
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