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Officials say Bird Island needs more sand

Reported by Max Winitz - bio|email
Posted by Debra Worley - email

NEW HANOVER COUNTY, NC (WECT) - Bird Island is about three quarters of a mile off the Fort Fisher Coast, and can only be accessed by boat.

Only a handful of people have had the privilege of visiting the island because you can't walk on it without permission.

Thousands of birds make their homes and nest on the island from March through August.  Species include various pelicans and terns, but there is concern the terns are in need of more sand.

Erosion has washed away some of the sand on the manmade island, making it difficult for terns to nest.

Now, Audubon officials are looking to get more sand from the Army Corps of Engineers.

"We are hopeful that when they do have the sand available and they are dredging in the river, that the same will come right back here to these islands," said Walker Golder. "In the meantime, we will continue to manage these islands by hand."

It's Golders responsibility to maintain the island and have to remove vegetation on the island by hand.

"It's very labor intensive and it only lasts one season," said Golders.

Managing the island by hand may be difficult, but Golder Said he will do whatever it takes to keep the birds flocking to the island.

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