Beaufort North Carolina Wild Horses on Rachel Carson Reserve & Estuarine Sanctuary
Rachel Carson North Carolina National Estuarine Research Reserve
A herd of about 40 banker horses lives on the Rachel Carson component of the North Carolina National Estuarine Research Reserve, a series of five small islands and several salt marshes. There were no horses at the Sanctuary until the 1940s. It is unclear whether the Bankers swam over from nearby Shackleford or if they were left by residents who had used the islands to graze livestock. They are owned and managed by the State of North Carolina and regarded as a cultural resource.
No management action was taken until the late 1980s and early 1990s, when after years of flourishing population, the island's carrying capacity was exceeded. Malnourishment caused by overcrowding resulted in the deaths of several horses; the reserve's staff instituted a birth control program to regulate the herd.
Magic in the Marsh at Rachel Carson Reserve
In mid October Ladybug and I went down to Atlantic Beach for the weekend with a couple of friends. On our first day paddling we went over to Carrot Island and Horse Island just across Taylor's Creek from the Beaufort waterfront. Once we turned into the inlet between Carrot Island and the Town Marsh, we came across a herd of about 25 of the feral horses in the Rachel Carson Estuarine Reserve. We watched them for about half an hour paddling to within about 100 yards of the closest ones. We then paddled out to the Knob of Carrot Island, around the point and then back to Beaufort.
Our second day we were going to paddle to Shackleford Banks to see the Wild Mustangs, but because of a strong nor east wind we had to scrap that plan and took our friends down to Bear Island at Hammocks Beach State Park. Ladybug and I had been down there and stayed last September, but it was nice to share the adventure with friends. While sitting on the beach we saw a group of about 12 dolphins swim past about 50 yards off shore.
It was a very good warmup for my upcomming trip out to Lookout Bight and the South Core Banks in just a couple of weeks.
Fiddler Crabs, Rachel Carson Reserve, NC.
Fiddler Crabs, at Town Marsh, Rachel Carson Estuary Reserve, Beaufort, NC.
Behind the Coast: Rachel Carson Reserve
Radio Island, Beaufort NC 2018
Located on the edge of the Bulkhead Channel which leads to the Back Sound, the Radio Island Beach Access is a unique and wonderfully convenient beach destination for both Morehead City and Beaufort visitors. Renowned for its calm waters, sandy shorelines, and location that’s just a few minutes’ drive away from a number of coastal communities, this stretch of slightly inland shoreline that’s managed by the Carteret County Parks and Rec is a popular destination for anyone in need of a little fun in the sun.
The Radio Island Beach Access has ample parking just south of the Radio Island Marina, and from here, visitors can take a stroll along the beach where the waves are gentle, (and generally non-existent), but the views are outstanding. As a result of this calm terrain, the beach is a popular destination for kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding, fishing, and other watersports that are best enjoyed in flat and shallow waters. The area can also be a fruitful shelling destination, as well as a nice spot to spread out a beach chair and catch a few rays. Located just barely off the beaten path, and yet nicely easy to reach, this local beach is a hidden gem destination that both visiting and local beach-goers will adore.
Carrot Island Wild Horses, Rachel Carson Reserve, NC
Description
Rachel Carson Reserve: Pick your Path & Discover
Welcome to the Rachel Carson Reserve. Pick your path and discover what our island has to offer. Stay alert as you follow the trail; you never know what you might find around each bend. You may come across animals you recognize like the many shorebirds that live here, or take a walk in the marsh and see the island from the perspective of a fiddler crab. Each step is a new opportunity to explore, and it’s important to be prepared and stay smart.
Blue Skies over Beaufort?
Well the skies were more of a grey, but as the old saying goes, any day kayaking is better than.... well any other day! So on this not so sunny day in mid September Ladybug and I paddled through one of our favorite places, the backsound and banks in and around Beaufort. We paddled from the boat ramp on Taylors Creek over to Carrot Island then along the backsound down to the Bouge Inlet where we crossed over the bar back into the tidal marsh in the Rachel Carson Reserve to see some of the Banker Horses.
Night in the Estuary - 006
A night fieldtrip exploring the Rachel Carson Reserve in Beaufort, North Carolina. Professor Dan Rittshof of Duke University is an expert on the estuarine environment at night. He studies bluecrabs.
Beaufort North Carolina: Discover · Explore · Experience
Create a memorable experience at the all new Beaufort Hotel NC, an Ascend Hotel Collection Member. Located on the Southern Outer Banks, the resort-style hotel offers a unique vacation destination on the Crystal Coast of Eastern North Carolina. Explore Beaufort's historic district, Crystal Coast beaches, Cape Lookout Lighthouse, Rachel Carson Reserve, and Shackleford Banks. It’s no wonder Beaufort was named “America’s Favorite Town” by Travel + Leisure.
Trip to Beaufort North Carolina Phantom 4 DJI Drone
Established in 1709, Beaufort, N.C., is a quaint coastal town located on Beaufort Inlet, a channel leading south to the Atlantic Ocean. The third oldest town in the state and seat of Carteret County, Beaufort has a residential population of about 4,000 with a high influx of visitor traffic during the warmer months.
Beaufort was first known as Fishtown because the fishing industry was and has been an important part of the county’s history. Beaufort was later named for Henry Somerset, Duke of Beaufort.
Originally a fishing village and port of safety dating from the late 1600s, Beaufort has been visited by patriots, privateers, merchants, and skilled craftsmen who built Bahamian and West Indian-style homes and public buildings. Approximately 150 of the restored historic homes bear plaques noting names of the Town’s earliest known owners and dates of original construction.
The early economy of Beaufort was on the use of natural resources in the area. Hence, fishing, whaling, the production of lumber and naval stores, shipbuilding, and farming were the chief economic activities. Though Beaufort had the safest and most navigable harbor of any of the ports of North Carolina, extensive commercial activities failed to develop, owing to the fact that the town was almost completely isolated from the interior. Now, Beaufort’s economy depends heavily on tourism.
The Plan of Beaufort Towne, laid out in 1713, survives in a 12-block area, which today is on the National Register of Historic Places.
Waterbug Tours in Beaufort | North Carolina Weekend | UNC-TV
Waterbug Tours in Beaufort offers nature and sunset cruises along the Crystal Coast.
Beaufort, NC
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Tune into North Carolina Weekend, your guide to the best places to eat, explore & experience each weekend across the state, every Thursday at 9 & Friday at 5 on UNC-TV Public Media North Carolina.
Cirrus SR22 Beaufort, NC VLOG
Our weekend getaway in our Cirrus SR22 to Beaufort, NC. Visited Fort Macon, Atlantic Beach, and Pine Knoll Shores Aquarium. Took a tour of historic downtown Beaufort by boat and looked for wild horses on the Rachel Carson Reserve Island.
Dolphin #2 in Taylors Creek. Beaufort, NC
Dolphin in Taylors Creek, Beaufort, NC. More at islandferryadventures.com
kayaking Taylor Creek in late October
The St. John's River is really up with recent rains so there is water everywhere. It was a great day with lows in the 50's and a NW wind.
A night in Wilmington
This video was to give a different perspective of Wilmington at night, I hope you enjoy????????????
Wild Horse & Shelling Safari | Beaufort NC, Emerald Isle NC, Atlantic Beach NC
| Wild Horse & Shelling Safari & other tours by Port City Tour Company. Offering Boat Tours, Island Tours, Ghost Tours, Pirate Tours, Kids Tours and much more in the beautiful Cape Lookout area of North Carolina. Beaufort NC, Atlantic Beach NC, Emerald Isle NC, New Bern NC, Jacksonville NC
Beaufort inlet
Riding in on a slick day in the skiff.
Carrot Island Swimming Horse
On a recent visit to Carrot Island/Rachel Carson Preserve in our kayak we were stopped on the beach when up walked one of the wild horses. I did not expect him to go into the water! But I guess the grass was greener over there! We usually just put in at the Beaufort Town park access and paddle the kayak around the Island. One of our favorite places in NC!
Atlantic Beach NC
First trip to the beach here.Drove right by it for a 2 hour excursion..lol I got lost :) but I found some cool fishing spots. haha That's Right!!!