Goodbye, rainy July!
July 2018 was the wettest month in the Buxton/Frisco area since June 1949! After receiving 20.31 inches of rain last month, it is pretty safe to say that nobody on Hatteras Island, or anywhere on the Outer Banks, will be saying “we need the rain” any time soon.
Seashore Updates
Several updates related to recreational activities
- Since last Thursday’s newsletter, additional access in the Cape Point area was opened up. Visitors can currently travel 0.7 miles south of off-road vehicle ramp 44 and beach walkers can travel 1.16 miles east of the South Beach Road parking area. The tip of Cape Point remains temporarily closed due to a mixed tern (Least Tern and Black Skimmer) colony in various stages of nesting and chick-rearing. Staff monitor the area daily and will restore access when possible.
- There continues to be standing water in areas of the park due to the significant rainfall. Frisco Campground has plenty of dry sites available if you are planning a camping trip to Hatteras Island over the next several weeks.
- Reminder that priority ORV ramps switched to 6:30 am opening times on August 1. All non-priority ORV ramps continue to open at 7:00 am. Until night driving is permitted, all ramps close to vehicles daily at 9:00 pm.
- Visitors can sign up for ocean safety text messages by texting “Join OBXBeachConditions” to 30890. The text messaging system is operated by Dare County with support from lifeguards and rescue squads operating on the Outer Banks.
Photo of the Week
Piping plover adult brooding two chicks at Cape Point earlier this summer. As chicks work their way towards adulthood they are carefully watched and cared for by the adults. Adults periodically brood their chicks in order to regulate their temperature from the harsh elements. As chicks get closer to adulthood they are brooded less.Thank you!
Thank you to Hatteras Island Supervisory Interpretive Ranger Christopher Cabral for his service to our country as a Senior Master Sergeant in the Air Force Reserve! SMSgt Cabral recently attended a ceremony in Chapel Hill where he accepted an award on behalf of the Seashore. The park received the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve Above and Beyond Award for supporting our Nation’s Armed Forces. You can read more about the award and event here. Cape Hatteras National Seashore employs many military veterans every year.
Did You Know?
During a sea turtle excavation, biologists dig up the recently hatched nest, count empty eggshells, and collect unhatched eggs for research. Live and dead hatchlings are occasionally found during these excavations. While the biologists perform their examination of the nest, a park ranger will present a program on sea turtles and share what the biologists have found. For nest excavation viewing opportunities, call 252-475-9629. We also try to announce the opportunities on our Facebook and Twitter pages.
Upcoming Events
- Bodie Island Lighthouse Climbing
- Jul 28-Oct 8, 9:00 am to 4:30 pm
- Cape Hatteras Lighthouse Climbing
- Jul 28-Oct 8, 9:00 am to 4:30 pm
- Ocracoke Lighthouse Open House
- Aug 4, 9:30 am to 12:00 pm and 1:30 pm to 4:30 pm
- Description: The base of the Ocracoke Lighthouse will be open for viewing.
- Barrier Island Dynamics
- Aug 4-10, 10:30 am to 11:00 am (Hatteras Island Visitor Center Pavilion)
- Description: How do plants, wildlife, and people adapt to barrier island geologic change?
- Hurricane Alley
- Aug 4-5, 11:30 am - 12:00 pm (Hatteras Island Visitor Center Pavilion)
- Description: Hurricanes and nor'easters are a fact of life here. Learn how these powerful storms shaped the Outer Banks!
- Cape Hatteras Light Station Talk
- Aug 4-10, 3:30 pm - 4:00 pm (Hatteras Island Visitor Center Pavilion)
- Description: Discuss the details and history of this beautiful sentinel.
- Fish With A Ranger (Buxton)
- Aug 6, 8:00 am to 9:30 am
- Description: We have poles, but you MUST bring the bait! Limited to 15 participants. Pre-register in person at the Hatteras Island Museum (or call 252-475-9622) beginning the Saturday before the program. You can not pre-register via email or internet.
- Crabbing With A Ranger
- Aug 6 & Aug 8, 8:30 am to 10:00 am
- Description: Learn about crabbing. Limited to 25 participants. Pre-register in person at the Ocracoke Visitor Center starting the Saturday prior to the program. You can not pre-register over the phone, email or internet.
- Ocean Safety Training w/Hatteras Island Rescue Squad
- Aug 6, 9:00 am to 9:30 am (48103 NC-12, Buxton)
- Pirates!
- Aug 6, 1:00 pm to 1:30 pm & Aug 8, 2:30 pm to 3:00 pm (Ocracoke Visitor Center Amphitheater)
- Description: Yes, they were here! Learn about Blackbeard and others.
- Barrier Island Nature
- Aug 6, 3:00 pm to 3:30 pm & Aug 10, 2:30 to 3:00 pm (Ocracoke Visitor Center Amphitheater)
- Description: Join us for a talk about the wild side of the park.
- Ocracoke After Dark
- Aug 6, 8:30 pm to 9:30 pm
- Description: Bring blankets and chairs for an evening of stargazing on the beach! Bring bug spray. Meet at the Ocracoke Day Use Area beach.
- Morning Bird Walk
- Aug 7, 8:00 am to 9:30 am (Meet at Fish Cleaning Tables Near Ramp 44)
- Description: Beginner and experienced birders alike can come explore beach and salt marsh bird habitats. Binoculars are available. Bring bug spray and sunscreen.
- Cast Netting (Ocracoke)
- Aug 7, 8:30 am to 10:00 am
- Description: Cast netting is one of the oldest forms of fishing. Pre-register in person at the Ocracoke Visitor Center the Saturday prior to program.
- All About Turtles (Hatteras Island)
- Aug 7-10, 11:30 am to 12:00 pm (Hatteras Island Visitor Center Pavilion)
- Description: Join us for an activity-based program on the life and times of the endangered sea turtle.
- Ocracoke History
- Aug 7, 2:30 pm to 3:00 pm (Ocracoke Visitor Center Amphitheater)
- Description: Learn about the island's rich history.
- War on Hatteras
- Aug 7-9, 2:30 pm to 3:30 pm (Hatteras Island Visitor Center Pavilion)
- Description: Learn of three wars that impacted this island.
- Night Sky Over Hatteras
- Aug 7, 9:00 pm to 10:00 pm (ORV Ramp 43 parking lot)
- Description: Bring your blankets, chairs, bug spray, and telescopes for this evening of stargazing on the beach.
- Cast Netting (Hatteras Island)
- Aug 8, 9:30 am to 11:00 am
- Description: Casting a net from shore is one of the oldest methods of fishing. Pre-register in person at the Hatteras Island Museum beginning the Saturday prior to the program. You cannot pre-register over the phone, email, or internet.
- All About Turtles (Ocracoke Island)
- Aug 8, 10:30 am to 11:00 am & Aug 10, 2:30 pm to 3:00 pm (Ocracoke Visitor Center Amphitheater)
- Description: Activities especially for kids.
- Dark Skies & Stars
- Aug 8, 9:00 pm to 10:00 pm (ORV Ramp 25 parking lot)
- Description: Bring blankets, chairs, and telescopes for this evening of stargazing on the beach. Bring bug spray.
- Fish with a Ranger (Rodanthe)
- Aug 9, 8:30 am to 10:00 am
- Description: We have poles, but you must bring the bait. Limited to 15 participants. Pre-register in person at the Hatteras Island Museum (or call 252-475-9622) beginning the Saturday before the program. You cannot pre-register via email or internet.
- Banker Ponies
- Aug 9, 10:30 am to 10:50 am (Ocracoke Pony Pen)
- Description: Meet the ponies unique to Ocracoke! Bring bug spray.
- Historic Lifesaving Drill Reenactment
- Aug 9, 2:00 pm to 3:00 pm
- Description: Every Thursday from June through August, a lifesaving drill reenactment is performed at the Chicamacomico Lifesaving Station in Rodanthe. Visit www.chicamacomico.org for more details.
- Soundside Seining (Hatteras Island)
- Aug 10, 8:30 am to 10:00 am (Sandy Bay soundside parking lot)
- Description: Discover the wildlife wonders of the Pamlico Sound using seining nets. Water shoes that secure onto your feet are required: no flip flops or Crocs. Wear clothing you can get wet.
- Outer Banks Bird Walk (Ocracoke Island)
- Aug 10, 8:30 am to 10:00 am (Ferry parking lot, north end of island)
- Description: Meet winged residents and those traveling the Atlantic Flyway. Bring bug spray.
- 100th Anniversary of the Mirlo Rescue Event
- Aug 16, 2:00 pm (Chicamacomico Lifesaving Station)
- Description: The Chicamacomico Drill Team will conduct the Beach Apparatus Drill followed by a ceremony that will include remarks by representatives of the U.S. Coast Guard, descendants of the crew and others, the laying of the wreath honoring the nine British seaman who perished that day, a fly over by U.S. Coast Guard Station Elizabeth City, concluding with a band concert. Go here for more details.
- Day at the Docks
- Sept 14-15 (Hatteras, NC)
- Description: Day at the Docks was started to celebrate the "Spirit of Hatteras" when the village recovered from Hurricane Isabel in 2003 as an intact community, anchored by the commercial and charter fishermen. Cape Hatteras National Seashore will be one of the many sponsors of this outstanding annual event. Go here for more details.
- Beach Cleanup Event
- Sept 22 (more details to be released via press release and social media)
- Description: The National Park Service and North Carolina Beach Buggy Association will partner in an event to clean up beaches along the Seashore.