BUXTON WOODS R eserve
Bald eagles and peregrine falcons are among the 360 species of birds that
take rest at the 1,007-acre Buxton Woods Reserve. Located on Hatteras
Island in the southern Outer Banks, it falls within the largest contiguous
tract of maritime evergreen forest on the Atlantic coast. It also contains the
only maritime shrub swamp (dogwood subtype) community in the world.
Visitors are allowed on dune ridges that are stabilized by the forest, giving
surprisingly good elevated views. Common critters are gray fox, mink,
river otter, white-tailed deer, box turtles, green anoles, and southern dusky
salamanders. Two rare butterflies (northern hairstreak and giant swallow-tail)
and a moth (Messalina underwing) are also found in the area. BWR is
accessible by vehicle. Hunting is allowed.
PERMUDA ISLAND R eserve
Permuda Island, north of Masonboro Island in the Stump
Sound estuary, is one of the smallest reserves at 1.5 miles long and
63 acres. Fisherwoman Lena Ritter, the North Carolina Coastal
Federation, and Topsail Island citizens fought hard to keep the
island out of the hands of developers in the early 1980s.
Researchers believe Permuda may have been occupied as early as
300 B.C. There is evidence of cleared farmland in the center of the
island. PIR can be reached only by shallow-draft boat. Due to an
abundance of snakes and insects, visitors are encouraged to enjoy
Permuda from the water. The area is a breeding ground for fish,
shrimp, crabs, clams and oysters.
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ANDREANNA MOYA PHOTOGRAPHY/FLICKR
NC COASTAL RESERVE
NC COASTAL RESERVE
NC COASTAL RESERVE
PAULA GILLIKIN/NC COASTAL RESERVE
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