Places Nature Centers & Preservesthe NC Estuarium

Wildlife in North Carolina Estuarium

Here’s what naturalists are spotting in the NC Estuarium right now - pulled live from recent research-grade observations. Browse by group, explore the map, and identify what you find with Huck.

334
recent observations
30
species listed
13
birds
4
reptiles & amphibians
6
plants

Naturalists have logged 334 research-grade observations across the 30 most-recorded species in the NC Estuarium. The most frequently seen is the Pond Slider, with 48 recorded sightings.

Birds account for the largest share of what gets recorded there (13 of the species listed here), followed by reptiles & amphibians (4).

🖨️ Printable wildlife checklist📋 Printable field sheet

Most-observed species in the NC Estuarium

Pond Slider
Trachemys scripta
48 observations
Great Blue Heron
Ardea herodias
41 observations
Mallard
Anas platyrhynchos
32 observations
Canada Goose
Branta canadensis
16 observations
Purple Martin
Progne subis
15 observations
Common Snapping Turtle
Chelydra serpentina
13 observations
Osprey
Pandion haliaetus
13 observations
peppervine
Nekemias arborea
11 observations · iNaturalist
Black Swallowtail
Papilio polyxenes
10 observations
Bitterweed
Helenium amarum
10 observations
Northern Cardinal
Cardinalis cardinalis
9 observations
Saltmarsh mallow
Kosteletzkya pentacarpos
8 observations
Eastern Ratsnake
Pantherophis quadrivittatus
8 observations · iNaturalist
Red-headed Woodpecker
Melanerpes erythrocephalus
7 observations
Green Anole
Anolis carolinensis
7 observations
Common Green June Beetle
Cotinis nitida
7 observations
Laughing Gull
Leucophaeus atricilla
7 observations
American Lady
Vanessa virginiensis
6 observations
baldcypress
Taxodium distichum
6 observations
ribwort plantain
Plantago lanceolata
6 observations
henbit deadnettle
Lamium amplexicaule
6 observations · iNaturalist
Eastern Pondhawk
Erythemis simplicicollis
6 observations
Needham's Skimmer
Libellula needhami
6 observations · iNaturalist
Two-lined Spittlebug
Prosapia bicincta
6 observations · iNaturalist
American Coot
Fulica americana
5 observations
Belted Kingfisher
Megaceryle alcyon
5 observations
Ring-billed Gull
Larus delawarensis
5 observations
Turkey Vulture
Cathartes aura
5 observations
Eastern Bluebird
Sialia sialis
5 observations
North American Luna Moth
Actias luna
5 observations

Get rare-sighting alerts for the NC Estuarium

We’ll email you when an uncommon or rare species is spotted here. One check a day, only when there’s something new.

Free. Unsubscribe from any email. See our Privacy Policy.

More wildlife near the NC Estuarium

Exploring the NC Estuarium?

Take Huck with you. Identify any wildlife you find in seconds, and watch the live map of what is being spotted in the NC Estuarium right now.

Get Huck

Exploring the NC Estuarium? Get Huck field notes

Spotting tips, new species, and the best of what naturalists are finding - straight to your inbox.

By subscribing you agree to receive Huck emails. No spam, unsubscribe anytime. See our Privacy Policy.