Bird Island, North Carolina facts for kids
Bird Island is a special place in North Carolina, USA. It's about 1,300 acres (or 5.3 square kilometers) of beautiful land right next to the town of Sunset Beach, North Carolina. Sunset Beach is a barrier island, which means it's a long, narrow island that protects the mainland from ocean storms. It's also the very southernmost town in North Carolina.
You can reach Bird Island by walking along the seashore. Just head towards the South Carolina border! Because of how the Atlantic Coast curves here, you'll be walking mostly southwest. Long ago, Bird Island was separate from Sunset Beach. A small water channel called Mad Inlet divided them. You could only cross it easily when the tide was low. But over time, sand built up from hurricanes and other natural events. This sand slowly filled in the inlet, connecting the two islands into one big area.
Protecting Bird Island's Nature
Bird Island is a very important place for wildlife. Before 2002, it was owned by private people. But its beaches, sand dunes, and marshlands are home to many animals. Some of these animals are rare or in danger.
Why Bird Island Needs Protection
The island provides safe places for many species to live and raise their young. This includes special sea turtles like the Kemp's ridley and loggerhead sea turtle. These turtles are either endangered (meaning very few are left) or threatened (meaning they could become endangered soon). Even though cars couldn't get onto the island, there was a worry that someone might try to build houses or other things there. This would harm the animals.
How Bird Island Became a Reserve
To keep Bird Island safe forever, the state of North Carolina bought the land. They used $4.2 million from both public and private money to do this. Now, Bird Island is a coastal reserve. This means it's a protected area managed by the North Carolina Division of Coastal Management. They work to keep the island's natural beauty and protect its important wildlife habitats.
