Lea Island: Unspoiled Beauty

Undeveloped beaches such as this are incredibly rare to find. Aside from Bird Island & Masonboro Island, Lea Island (which now also includes Hutaff island after shoaling in the inlet merged the two islands) is the only other undeveloped barrier island in the state of North Carolina. Lea island "supports one of the largest colonies of nesting terns and skimmers. In addition, federally threatened Piping Plover and Loggerhead turtles nest on the island. Thousands of shore birds stop over during the spring and fall migration." We are truly lucky to have this gem at the base of our neighborhood. Lea island is just south of Topsail Island and less than a 5 minute boat ride from the Porter's Neck Plantation community boatramp. The Audubon Society purchased 35.7 acres of Lea Island for preservation and protection. This Great White Egret was hunting in the Marshes around Lea island and Figure Eight. You can tell it's on the hunt by the way it's neck is stretched out. These next two photos are taken from the sound side of Lea Island. A short beach trail from here leads to the ocean side of Lea Island. “Over half of Lea Island (Hutaff remains in private ownership) has been protected, and both N.C. Coastal Land Trust and Audubon continue working with remaining owners to protect the lots still in private ownership... During the spring and summer, the island is a haven for nesting shorebirds such as Piping Plover, Wilson’s Plover, and American Oystercatcher, and other nesting birds including Black Skimmer and Least Tern. The island represents the southernmost documented breeding site for Piping Plover, a federally threatened bird named for its melodic call. Clapper Rails nest in great numbers in the marshes bordering the island. Nelson’s Sparrow and Seaside Sparrow are abundant during the fall and winter and the island is recognized as a globally significant site for Saltmarsh Sparrow. At other times of year, numerous migrating and wintering shorebirds flock here, numbering a thousand or more during the peak of migration" (Audubon North Carolina).

"The coastal zone of North Carolina that we know today is not permanent. It has evolved hroughout its history. These changes, which can be both imperceptibly gradual or sudden and violent, continue today and will do so into the future."

(NORTH CAROLINA COASTAL GEOLOGY COOPERATIVE RESEARCH, ECU)