Birds of Beaufort NC

01/14/2026

Hello Butter-Butt

This cute little bird, affectionately called “Butter-Butt” by locals for obvious reasons, is the Yellow-Rumped Warbler (Setophaga coronata), found in coastal North Carolina in fall and winter. Butter-Butts seem to look different depending on your viewing angle. There's yellow crown on the top of the head and spots in the shoulder area. The yellow rump is not always visible when its covered by the wings....

08/09/2025

Common Nighthawks are difficult to see, but I accidentally encountered a small flock of them in the spring before nesting began. Please visit my website for more photographs of this unusual bird...
https://www.megforward.com/birds/index.php/2025/08/09/encountering-the-common-nighthawk/

06/24/2025

I found a couple of Barn Swallow nests on local commercial buildings. Photos show the nestlings crowded together between feedings. Visit my website to see all the photos. https://www.megforward.com/birds/index.php/2025/06/24/barn-swallow-nest/

06/11/2025

Although fairly common locally, the Eastern Towhee is a hard bird to spot. Maybe they're hiding in forests within tangled shrubs or feeding on the ground underneath. Spotting one is a rare event for me, so it usually gives me a thrill! I encountered this male in the Croatan National Forest... A member of the sparrow family, the Eastern Towhee…...

03/16/2025

The Northern Flicker does not fit the stereotype of a woodpecker. It lacks the usual black-and-white-and-red plumage. That's obvious. But it has unusual behavior also. For more photos, visit my website... https://www.megforward.com/birds/index.php/2025/03/15/northern-flicker-an-unusual-woodpecker/

01/28/2025

I HEREBY DECLARE THAT I DO NOT GIVE MY PERMISSION FOR FACEBOOK OR META TO USE ANY OF MY PERSONAL DATA.

11/21/2024

The summer birds have left, but now the fall/winter residents are back in town. One of my favorites is the phoebe, a solitary bird in the flycatcher family. To see more photos of the Eastern Phoebe, visit my website: https://www.megforward.com/birds/index.php/2024/11/21/october-arrival-eastern-phoebe/

08/31/2024

08/31/2024

Great Horned Owls are gentle and loving parents despite being fierce predators. Visit my website for an intimate look into the strong bond that forms between parent and offspring during the rearing of a single youngster in 2024.
https://www.megforward.com/birds/index.php/2024/08/31/owls-are-gentle-and-loving-parents/

08/25/2024

Starlings live in huge flocks around Beaufort, but where do they nest? My curiosity about where their nests are located was quickly satisfied. Here's a nestling waiting impatiently for its next meal...

Visit my website to see more photos of Starling nest sites and baby Starlings... https://www.megforward.com/birds/index.php/2024/08/25/where-do-starlings-nest/

06/22/2024

Now's the time to see ducklings and goslings near our local ponds. Click on the link to see my photos comparing Mallard ducklings and Canada goslings as they grow from adorable fluffballs to gawky juveniles. Visit my website... https://www.megforward.com/birds/index.php/2024/06/22/ducklings-and-goslings/