CSI Events
Birding at Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge
August 22, 2026; 7 AM- 10 AM
Join the Coastal Studies Institute in search of migratory shorebirds at Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge, a birding hotspot along the Atlantic Flyway. In this field-based program, participants will have the opportunity to view the terns, plovers, herons, and other coastal birds that visit and nest on the Outer Banks each summer.
During the approximately 1.5-mile, out-and-back stroll along a portion of the North Pond Trail, instructors will share tips and tricks for bird identification and highlight the cultural and environmental significance of the refuge and its coastal habitat. Spending approximately two hours onsite, this fun and educational program will allow for ample time to use scopes and binoculars and take photos. What will be the most exciting thing you see? There’s only one way to find out!
Pre-registration for Birding at Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge is required, and the cost to attend is $20 per person.
Participants will meet at the Coastal Studies Institute (ECU Outer Banks Campus, 850 NC 345, Wanchese, NC 27981) at 7 AM. Transportation to and from Pea Island will be provided, and the group will return to CSI around 10 AM. Participants are welcome and encouraged to bring personal cameras, binoculars, spotting scopes, and guidebooks. Appropriate attire for extended time outdoors is also encouraged.
Contact John McCord at mccordr@ecu.edu or 252-475-5450 with questions regarding the Birding at Pea Island program. Please scroll toward the bottom of the page for more information regarding the registration process and cancellation policy.
Registration Information
ECU’s Continuing and Professional Education facilitates the registration process for CSI events and offerings. Their online registration system requires users to create an account for easy checkout. To expedite the registration process, we recommend that users set up their account before registering for a program. Use the buttons below to explore CPE’s webpage for CSI programs and view a user’s guide to create a new account.
For questions or concerns about the registration process, please contact Continuing and Professional Education at 252-328-9198 or cpe@ecu.edu.
Cancellation Policy
CSI Family Programs follow the policies and guidelines set by Continuing and Professional Education, including the information provided below. For a full explanation of policies, please visit cpe.ecu.edu/registration/policies-procedures/.
If CPE cancels a course, you will receive full reimbursement of the course fee or you may request a tuition transfer to another course within a 12-month period. When selecting a different course, participants will be responsible for any difference in tuition cost at the time of the request or in some cases a participant may receive a credit on file.
Course registration is complete once payment is received. Course fees are payable in advance. Registration is not complete and will not be confirmed until we receive full payment. All registration fees must be paid prior to attending the course. If payment has not been received by the deadline, registrations will be canceled.
To request a refund, participants must submit a course withdrawal request electronically to cpe@ecu.edu at least 10 business days prior to the program start date. Participants may choose to transfer into another course in lieu of a refund, provided space is available in the other course. If the request to transfer is received 2 weeks before the course begins, there will be no charge to complete the transfer. If the request is received less than 2 weeks before the start of a course, there will be a late transfer fee of $50.
If a participant is unable to attend a face-to-face or residential course, they may request a refund or transfer to another course. They may also request a substitution. Unless otherwise noted on the program registration page, the deadline for canceling a registration is 10 business days prior to the course start date. If the Office of Continuing and Professional Education receives notification by email at cpe@ecu.edu or by mail before the deadline, it will:
- Reschedule the student in a future course, or
- Refund the course fees (minus $25.00 administrative fee).
Requests received beyond the deadline will receive no refund.
Please include the participant’s full name and address, registration details for the course to be canceled (i.e., course code, title, and dates), whether the request is to reschedule or receive a refund, and a daytime phone number where the Office of Continuing and Professional Education can contact the participant or company contact for billing questions.
Based at the Coastal Studies Institute (CSI), the North Carolina Renewable Ocean Energy Program (NCROEP) advances inter-disciplinary marine energy solutions across UNC System partner colleges of engineering at NC State University, UNC Charlotte, and NC A&T University. Click on the links below for more information.
ECU's Integrated Coastal Programs (ECU ICP) is a leader in coastal and marine research, education, and engagement. ECU ICP includes the Coastal Studies Institute, ECU's Department of Coastal Studies, and ECU Diving and Water Safety.
The ECU Outer Banks campus is home to the Coastal Studies Institute.
