The 12,230 acre refuge is composed of farmland,timber, freshwater marshes, brushland and Pungo Lake which is 2,800 acres in size. The refuge is a wintering ground for large numbers of waterfowl which may be observed on Pungo Lake from October through March. An observation tower located on the south lakeshore provides a good view of the lake and of early morning flights of waterfowl. Thousands of Canada geese, snow geese, whistling swans, mallards, pintails, black ducks, teal and American wigeon can often be seen during the winter months. A few mallards, black ducks and wood ducks make the refuge their summer home.
Bird watching for species other than waterfowl is best during the spring and fall migrations.
Songbirds can be seen in thickets along refuge trails, roads and waterways. Herons, egrets and shorebirds are frequently observed around Pungo Lake and refuge waterways. This folder lists 207 species of birds that have been observed on the refuge since its establishment. Birds of the Pungo National Wildlife Refuge. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.