The Outer Banks, and the Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge in particular, is known as one of the best bird watching destinations in the world, and the annual Wings Over Water celebrates this distinction like no other local festival. The weeklong event, which is held each October, features a wide range of educational programs, lectures, and opportunities to meet and greet with fellow birders. During this year's festival, attendees will also have the opportunity to go on guided birding trips, attend art and photography workshops, take a tram or kayak tour of National Wildlife Refuge, visit an ancient maritime forest, and much, much more. A complete schedule can be found online at the organization's website, and attendees should note that some programs do cost a small fee to participate.

Visitors who missed the annual Wings Over Water festival - or who just want a second opportunity to admire the hundreds and thousands of birds that flock to the Outer Banks – won’t want to miss this special weekend where these feathered visitors are once again in the spotlight. The Wings Over Water Encore event is a weekend-long celebration of the many wintering waterfowl that are found at the Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge and beyond, and is a great way for birders to discover the off-season beauty of the OBX.

The Hatteras Village Waterfowl Festival in the beautiful village of Hatteras, will be back for the third year for 2022! It celebrates the diverse waterfowl resource native to the island. During festival, you will find carvers, artists, vendors and many demonstrations such as a live raptor show, historical bus tours of the village, a bird watching cruise, an interactive duck exhibit and much, much more. Gold Tickets are available and holders gain admission to the amazing "Fin, Feather and Bourbon" social on Friday evening, featuring small plates and local seafood and a Sunday Brunch. Day pass tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for children over 5, which includes lunch. Gold Tickets are $50 for the whole weekend.