Six Reasons Goose Creek Island is a Great Place. Celebrating National Estuaries Day.

Goose Creek Island is located where the river meets the sound meets the sea.  The mix of freshwater and saltwater provide a unique and diverse home to fish, birds, animals and the people who live here. 

In celebration of National Estuaries Day on Saturday, September 29^th, I will list six reasons that make Goose Creek Island an exceptional place to live.

6.  The wetlands. Over hundreds of acres of tidal wetlands encompass Goose Creek Island. The wetlands are critical habitats for fish, shellfish and waterfowl.  The protected areas of the wetlands provide food, cover, spawning grounds and nurseries for these species.  The wetlands are also a filter of the Pamlico Sound shoreline.  It slows the flow of pollutants from upstream sources that traverse Pamlico River and other surrounding bodies of water.  

Photo courtesy Shirley Mayo Ireland

 5.  The tributaries. Goose Creek Island has over 35 miles of shoreline within its tidal tributaries.  These tributaries are home to many species of animals. Hard crabs, oysters, terrapin turtles and other aquatic creatures find the brackish waters and shoreline a necessity to their survival. The shoreline also provides many kayakers and paddlers the unique opportunity to view the secluded and natural shores of Pamlico Sound.

Photo courtesy of SandyBottoms Sea Kayaking and Other Adventures Blog.

 4.  The landscape. While the tributaries of Goose Creek Island lie within the estuaries of Pamlico River and Sound, the creeks and cuts provide the island with different landscapes to its geology.  Furtile soils, tall pine forests and the flat lowland marshes are favorable to many species of animals including great blue herons and the black bear.

Photo courtesy of www.iluvbeaufort.com

 3.  The waterfowl.  Thousands of ducks, geese, swan and other migratory birds spend their winters on the edges of Goose Creek Island.  They stop here to feed and rest during their annual migrations along the Atlantic Flyway.

John Blanton and his Oyster Creek ducks. Photo courtesy Shirley Mayo Ireland.

 2.  The seafood.  Goose Creek Island has produced millions of pounds of seafood.  Within its tributaries, well known Island fishermen have plied its waters for the succulent blue crab, the popular wild caught shrimp, and the briny eastern oyster.  Croakers, trout and other fish were also important to the seafood industry of the Island.  

Photo courtesy Shirley Mayo Ireland

 1.  The People.  Goose Creek Island is home to more than 400 full time residents, and over 200 households.  Many former residents continue to maintain ancestral homes here.  There are commercial fishermen, farmers, tug boaters, hunting guides, teachers, retirees, and homemakers who make up the human landscape of Goose Creek Island.  Many of those residents are sensitive the natural resources that make up the Island watershed.  The residents and former residents also call this place “home”.  And home is where the heart is.  One can see it in the post office, see it riding down the street, see it looking out over Jones Bay when you cross the bridge, and see it in the spirit of the people who live, work and worship in this little slice of heaven.

Casper Ireland. Photo courtesy of Shirley Mayo Ireland