Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge
IUCN Category IV (Habitat/Species Management Area)
Dunes on NC 12 in June 2007
Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge Location in the United States
Location	Dare County, North Carolina, United States
Nearest city	Nags Head, North Carolina
Area	31,534 acres (127.61 km2)
Established	1938
Governing body	U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Website	Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge

Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge is a special place in North Carolina where nature is protected. It's located on Pea Island, which is a long, narrow island along the coast. This island is part of the famous Outer Banks, right next to Cape Hatteras National Seashore. You can find this refuge about 10 miles (16 km) south of Nags Head, North Carolina, right off NC 12.

The main goal of Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge is to be a safe home for many animals. It's especially important for migratory birds, which are birds that travel long distances each year. This includes large flocks of snow geese, other waterfowl (like ducks and swans), shorebirds, wading birds, and raptors (like eagles and hawks). The refuge also works hard to protect endangered and threatened animals and plants.

Besides protecting wildlife, the refuge also welcomes visitors! People can come here to enjoy nature, learn about the environment, watch birds, take amazing photos, and even go fishing.

About Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge

Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge was created on May 17, 1937. It covers a large area, with 5,834 acres (23.6 km²) of land and 25,700 acres (104 km²) of water. The refuge stretches about 13 miles (21 km) from north to south. It's not very wide, ranging from about a quarter-mile (0.4 km) to 1 mile (1.6 km) across.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service manages this refuge. It's part of a bigger group of refuges overseen by the Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge. Many dedicated volunteers help out at the refuge, giving about 35,000 hours of their time each year.

Millions of people visit Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge every year. It's known as a "birder's paradise" because so many different kinds of birds can be seen here. Visitors also enjoy canoeing, kayaking, beachcombing, and taking nature photos.

Wildlife and Habitats

The refuge has many different types of natural areas. You can find sandy ocean beaches, tall dunes, and higher land. There are also fresh and brackish water ponds, flat salt flats, and salt marshes. Each of these habitats provides a home for different creatures.

Amazing Animals of Pea Island

Pea Island is home to a wide variety of animals. More than 365 different kinds of birds have been seen here! You can also find 25 types of mammals, 24 kinds of reptiles, and 5 species of amphibians.

The refuge is especially important for large groups of ducks, geese, and swans. Many wading birds and shorebirds also live or visit here. You might even spot raptors flying overhead. The refuge has special areas, like 1,000 acres (4 km²) of managed ponds, that are perfect for waterfowl. There are also places where shorebirds and wading birds build their nests.

Protecting Endangered Species

Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge helps protect several endangered and threatened animals and plants. These are species that are at risk of disappearing forever. Some of the important species found here include:

• loggerhead sea turtles
• green sea turtles
• leatherback sea turtles
• Kemp's ridley sea turtles
• piping plovers (a small shorebird)
• red-cockaded woodpeckers
• West Indian manatees
• seabeach amaranth (a rare plant)

Before it became a refuge, the area was used for hunting, fishing, farming, and raising livestock.

Climate and Weather

Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge has a humid subtropical climate. This means it has hot and humid summers, cool winters, and rain throughout the year.

Summer Weather

During the summer, the weather is warm and often humid. A cool sea breeze usually blows in the afternoons, which helps to make it feel a bit cooler. However, sometimes it can get very hot and humid, with temperatures feeling like 100°F (38°C) or more.

Hurricane Season

Pea Island is located in an area that can be affected by hurricanes. The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 to November 30. The busiest time for hurricanes is usually from late August through September.

Winter Weather

In winter, the weather is cool. Sometimes, it can get quite cold and windy, with temperatures feeling like 10°F (-12°C) or colder due to the wind. The refuge usually gets less than 2 inches (5 cm) of snow each winter. February is often the month with the most "nor'easter" storms, which bring strong winds and rain or snow.

Here's a look at the average weather:

Ocean Water Temperatures

The ocean water temperature near Pea Island changes throughout the year. Here are the average temperatures:

Plant Life and Ecosystems

The main types of plants you'll find at Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge are live oak trees and sea oats. Sea oats are a special grass that grows on the sand dunes. These plants form a type of coastal prairie, which is an open area with grasses and other low-growing plants. This unique mix of plants helps to hold the sand in place and provides food and shelter for the many animals that live in the refuge.

Images for kids

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  Dunes on NC 12 in June 2007