In April, the marshlands of Mackay Island National Wildlife Refuge transform. Its expansive impoundments, framed by the Currituck Sound, act as a crucial haven for migratory and resident species alike. The refuge has recorded over 180 bird species plus a variety of mammals, amphibians, and reptiles. It is one of nine refuges in the Coastal North Carolina National Wildlife Refuges Complex.
As with all refuges, the best opportunity for wildlife sightings is early in the morning or late in the afternoon. I arrived at 7:30 a.m., a little less than an hour after sunrise, and there were so many different species. I had the area to myself for 3 hours. By the time I finished my first hike, there was much less activity.
Live Oak Point Trail
My first stop of the day was the 5.5-mile Live Oak Point Trail, which loops through the impoundment system of the East, West, and Middle Pools. Here visitors hike the dividing line between managed freshwater and the brackish Currituck Sound.
The trail begins at a wooden fishing pier next to the parking area. Within my first few steps, I found red-winged blackbirds and Savannah sparrows.
East Pool
From there, the path transitions onto gravel dikes along East Pool. In April, the water level in this pool was lower, drawing great blue herons, great egrets, and double-crested cormorants searching for food. Cottonmouths (water moccasins) slithered across the water’s surface.
As the trail continues, it passes the Cross Dike path, which divides the pools and crosses to the bays along Currituck Sound. For those looking for a shorter hike, turning at Cross Dike makes a 2.9-mile loop called the Mackay Island Trail.
Middle Pool
Bypassing the turnoff, I followed the curve of Middle Pool. High in the canopy of the surrounding trees, bald eagles kept watch, while the branches below fluttered with mourning doves, orchard orioles, and yellow-rumped warblers.
Further along, I had to side-step an eastern mud turtle on the gravel trail. At my approach, it quickly withdrew into its shell, peering out with a guarded stare.
Stands of cattails, black needlerush, and giant cordgrass covered the marsh landscape. Scattered along the path, buttercup, chamomile, cornflower, hairy vetch, morning glory, rain lily, wild radish, and yellow thistle blooms added cheerful pops of color.
West Pool
The loop eventually leads to the southernmost tip of the refuge at Live Oak Point. Here there were panoramic views of Currituck Sound.
Beyond the point, I strolled with the open water to my right and a sweeping field to my left, where eastern meadowlarks danced through the grass.
A subtle breeze picked up where the trail skirted the edges of Buck Island Bay and Bellows Bay. There were common yellowthroats, eastern kingbirds, greater yellowlegs, marsh wrens, and western cattle egrets near the pool opposite Buck Island Bay.
Finishing the Loop
Finally, the loop traced the opposite side of the East Pool back toward the fishing pier. Along the trail, yellow-bellied sliders were nestled quietly in the grass, while out on the water, Canada geese, great egrets, killdeer, and wood ducks were busy exploring the shallows.
Iridescent boat-tailed grackles sang from the trees as a flock of glossy ibises cut across the sky.
Great Marsh Trail
This easy 0.3-mile loop travels through a swamp-like habitat near the Marsh Causeway. I gave it the nickname ‘Turtle Crossing’ due to the number of yellow-bellied sliders on the path.
Nearby, eastern painted turtles basked lazily on half-submerged logs. Above them, an audience of bald eagles, northern mockingbirds, and red-winged blackbirds tracked my progress from the branches.
Know Before You Go
Most of the refuge impoundment trails (including the Live Oak Point loop) are closed from October 16 to March 14 to protect wintering waterfowl.
Usually, the dike trails are limited to hiking and bicycling. Select weekends throughout the year are designated as “Open Roads Days,” where the refuge temporarily opens the dike gates to vehicles for low-speed wildlife viewing.
Because the Live Oak Point Trail offers minimal shade, bring sunscreen and consider a hat. My hat made such a difference as the sun continued to rise.
Whether you come for the quiet rhythm of the tidal bays or the return of spring migratory birds, this hidden pocket of the Atlantic Flyway leaves a lasting impression. Mackay Island National Wildlife Refuge is a treasured coastal sanctuary.