It s a win-win situation. Many species of birds overwinter along the Outer Banks, in the sounds and pocosins, and on Lake Mattamuskeet, making a November festival a logical choice. And birders seem happy to trade crowds and sun for quiet, deserted beaches, cold air and the chance to glimpse a rare creature. Attendees come from as far away as Canada, California, Texas and Florida in search of their feathered friends. Distance is no object, Bryant says.
Tourists see what a beautiful place North Carolina s coast can be, even in late fall.
For the second annual festival, North Carolina Sea Grant has teamed up with the sponsors of Wings Over Water to find out just how much money the birders bring to area businesses. Thigpen, a sociologist, has designed a survey for the participants to fill out, providing valuable information about their spending patterns, interests, and impact on the local economy. The resulting information will be used to market an plan for later events. For now, Wings Over Water works hard to provide something for everyone. The schedule includes a guided tour through a salt marsh, a hike through Buxton Woods Coastal Reserve and a chance to howl at red wolves, in addition to innumerable bird-watching opportunities.