St. James, North Carolina: The Newest Birding Hotspot on the NC Coast

erniebirder
Apr 21
5 min read

North Carolina has long been recognized as one of the East Coast’s premier birding states, with more than 470 species recorded across its mountains, piedmont, and coastal plain. From the barrier islands of the Outer Banks to the pocosins of Alligator River, the state’s habitats draw everyone from backyard birders to world‑traveling rarity chasers.

But in recent years, a quieter, more unexpected destination has begun to emerge on the map: St. James, North Carolina—a coastal community in Brunswick County that now offers some of the most diverse, protected, and rewarding birding experiences in the region.

A Community becomes a Birding Haven

St. James sits at the edge of the Intracoastal Waterway, surrounded by marshes, woodlands, ponds, and quiet coastal edges—exactly the mosaic of habitats that supports high bird diversity. The Birders of St. James have documented this transformation firsthand, identifying and stewarding a growing list of local birding hotspots that are easy for residents and visitors to explore.

Among the standouts:

• Waterway Park, where donated feeders and nearby marsh edges attract a steady stream of

songbirds and waders.

• Founders Club Marsh Nature Trail, a secluded woodland‑to‑marsh transition zone with benches overlooking sweeping views of the ICW, the local feeding ground of Osprey nesting nearby.

• Regency Lakes Fire Pit Clearing, a hidden gem along Jump & Run Creek, where patient observers can enjoy quiet, high‑quality birding.

• Members Club Ponds, offering open‑water views for spotting herons, ducks, anhinga, and migrating species.

These locations—once known only to a handful of locals—now form the backbone of a growing birding culture within the community. Early morning and low tide may be the best time to check out the birds as they are out feeding. Find a seat and just sit quietly for a few minutes. Take in the beauty of St. James and tune your ears as well as your eyes. Hopefully, you brought your binoculars and a bird field guide. Patience routinely pays off for seasoned birders.

Why Birding in St. James Is Rising Now

1. It Sits in the Heart of a Coastal Birding Powerhouse

The Crystal Coast and broader NC shoreline are among the richest birding regions in the country, thanks to barrier islands, salt marshes, maritime forests, and estuarine waters that support hundreds of species year‑round. St. James benefits from this same ecological engine—just in a quieter, more accessible package for our resident bird enthusiast. Roughly 42.7 percent of the land mass in St. James is protected, held in conservancy. In many areas across our community, you can enjoy birding right out your residential window or from your car.

2. It Offers the Same Species, Without the Crowds

Birders traveling to hotspots like Pea Island, Fort Fisher, or Mattamuskeet often pass through Brunswick County without realizing that many of the same species—Osprey, Piping Plovers, Pileated Woodpecker, Great Egrets, White Ibis, and migrating warblers—can be found right here is St. James. The community’s marshes and ponds mirror the habitats that make the NC coast famous.

3. Rare Birds Are Increasingly Possible

North Carolina’s official review list includes dozens of rare and vagrant species that appear unpredictably across the state. While St. James is not yet known as a rarity magnet, its location along the Atlantic Flyway, along with our rich tree canopy means unusual species can and do show up—especially during migration or after coastal weather events. As more residents report sightings, the odds of documenting something special only increase. This is also evident on our annual bird counts: The Audubon Christmas Bird Count and the Great American Backyard Bird Count.

Results are posted on the Birders of St. James’ website. www.birdersofstjames.com

4. A Community of Birders Is Actively Growing

The Birders of St. James have created a welcoming, education‑focused environment that encourages participation from beginners and seasoned birders alike. Their emphasis on sharing sightings, exploring new hotspots, and teaching bird‑friendly practices is accelerating the area’s reputation. There’s room for you, too.

A Microcosm of North Carolina’s Birding Richness

What makes St. James particularly compelling is how it reflects the broader story of North Carolina birding:

Barrier‑island species like terns, skimmers, and oystercatchers are just minutes away on Oak Island.
Marsh specialists—Clapper Rails, Seaside Sparrows, Marsh Wrens—can be heard and seen in nearby tidal creeks.
Forest migrants funnel through during spring and fall, echoing the “fallout” events described along the Crystal Coast.
Over wintering birds such as the Rufous Hummingbird and Hermit Thrush keep locals scanning the landscape.
Waterfowl and wading birds use the ponds and lagoons much like they do at larger refuges. In other words, St. James offers a scaled‑down, highly accessible version of the state’s most iconic birding experiences—all within a walk, bike ride, or short drive. Now that’s hard to beat!

A Perfect Starting Point for New Birders

One of the most exciting aspects of St. James’ rise is how beginner‑friendly it is. Unlike many coastal hotspots that require long drives, boat access, or specialized gear, St. James provides:

Benches and quiet observation points along easy walking trails
Year‑round resident species
Seasonal surprises during migration
A supportive community eager to help newcomers learn
The Birders of St. James are leading the way to enhance your access and our bird friendly landscapes.

Their website is loaded with species fact sheets, habitat and coastal landscape reports. Resident photos are submitted and gathered in an ever-growing slide show. Throughout the year, they bring in knowledgeable speakers which have included Patrick McMillan, Susan Campbell, Evan Buckland, and Diane Dulong.

This accessibility mirrors the statewide trend described by Audubon: North Carolina is a place where birding is for everyone, not just experts. This is very true here in St. James.

The Future: Even More Hotspots on the Horizon

The Birders of St. James continue to scout new areas, with additional hotspots “coming soon” both inside and just outside the community. Given the region’s habitat diversity and the growing enthusiasm of local observers, could St. James become one of the most talked‑about emerging birding destinations in coastal North Carolina? Our residents think so. Though a gated community, hosted bird walks continue to enhance our bird friendly character.

A Call to Explore

Whether you’re a resident, a visitor, or a birder passing through Brunswick County, St. James offers a rare combination of beauty, biodiversity, and community spirit. As a gated community, visitors will need to make arrangements through a resident or to register for a bird walk. Bring your binoculars. Walk the trails. Sit quietly by the marsh. Share your sightings. Add the Birders of St. James website to your desktop for quick reference. You may just discover why the community of St. James is quickly becoming the next great birding hotspot on the North Carolina coast.

How about a special peak into this unique birding habitat and some of the programs you can find here in coastal Brunswick County, North Carolina.

Don’t waste the opportunity to witness these extraordinary birds right here.