We spent the day travelling to the Outer Banks, calling in at a number of birding locations on the way. Our day started before breakfast in a local park – Smith Creek – where we got our North Carolina State list off to a good start. Top bird was the much anticipated Eastern Towhee, feeding quietly by the trail. Our first stop on the drive was Martin Marietta Park – a former quarry but now restored to a superb wildlife park – provided more additions to the list including Ruddy Duck – last seen near Peterborough in 2022. Then it was on to Goose Creek State Park for lunch – in the company of five woodpecker species! Final stop, before arriving at our Outer Banks base in Nag’s Head, was the gigantic wetlands site of Mattamuskeet NWR. Winter home for 10,000 Tundra Swans, thankfully there were a few stragglers remaining to make a welcome addition to the list. Looking at tomorrow’s weather forecast it could be a very damp day sea-watching and migrant spotting!