Cape Chronicle Newsletter - August 22, 2019

August 22, 2019 Posted by: Mike Barber

Abridged edition of the Cape Chronicle. To subscribe to the full e-newsletter, email e-mail us.

Photos of the Week

Sunrise view from Ocracoke Island.

This ‘Then & Now’ color postcard shows the vibrant colors of the seashore in the late 1950s. The “ultra modern” sun shade structures at Coquina Beach and other facilities were completed in 1956 as part of the service’s Mission 66 development.

A family picnic under the Coquina Beach sun shade structures in this ‘Then & Now’ photo. The structures endured plenty of storms in the 1950s and the early 1960s, including Hurricane Donna and the Ash Wednesday storm; however, they finally succumbed to erosion and were replaced in the early 1970s with modern facilities.


Thank you to U.S. Coast Guard Electrician’s Mate 1st Class James Harper for maintaining the light inside the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse. More photos on our Facebook page.

Seashore Updates

• The National Park Service was created on August 25, 1916, when President Woodrow Wilson signed the National Park Service Act. Admission fees will be waived at Wright Brothers National Memorial this Sunday.

• On August 19, a small fixed-wing, single-engine plane crash-landed approximately 30 yards from the runway at Cape Hatteras National Seashore’s Ocracoke Island Airport. The pilot and passenger walked away from the crash with only minor injuries.
  

• As of August 22 at 8 a.m., staff have found 463 sea turtle nests across the Seashore. The previous record for a single season was 325 nests.

• Leaving large holes in the beach creates hazardous conditions for seashore visitors, emergency response personnel, and wildlife. Beachgoers are encouraged to be considerate of others by leaving no trace of visits.
  

• The week of September 9, Tideland Electric Membership Corporation will be conducting some work along Pole Road. Portions of Pole Road will be temporarily closed during the week. Beach detours will be available.

• For current beach access information and the weekly mileage summary, go to: http://go.nps.gov/beachaccess. For field summary, visit: http://go.nps.gov/fieldsummary. Mileage and field summaries are updated every Thursday during the shorebird and sea turtle nesting seasons.

• Visitors can sign up for beach safety text messages by texting “Join OBXBeachConditions” to 30890.

Upcoming Events

Bodie Island Lighthouse Climbing

• Dates: Daily until Oct 14, 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Cape Hatteras Lighthouse Climbing

• Dates: Daily until Oct 14, 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

See Inside Ocracoke Lighthouse

• Dates: Aug 28-29 from 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
• Description: The base of the Ocracoke Lighthouse will be open for viewing.

Hatteras Island Interpretive Programs/Activities

Cape Hatteras Lighthouse Move

• Dates: Aug 24-Aug 30 from 10:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. (daily program)
• Location: Hatteras Island Visitor Center pavilion
• Description: Learn about the monumental move event that happened in 1999 when the entire light station was moved 2,900 feet away from the threat of a changing shoreline.

Shaping the Barrier Islands

• Dates: Aug 24-Aug 30 from 3:30-4 p.m. (daily program)
• Location: Hatteras Island Visitor Center pavilion
• Description: Wars, wind, hurricanes, and ocean currents have all had impacts on the shores of Cape Hatteras. Join us to learn about some of these events and the changes they have made to the island.

Fish with a Ranger (Buxton)

• Date: Aug 26 from 8 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.
• Location: Buxton
• Description: We bring the poles, you bring the bait! Call 252-475-9622 to pre-register beginning the Saturday prior to the program.

Fish with a Ranger (Rodanthe)

• Date: Aug 27 from 8:30 a.m. to 10 a.m.
• Location: Rodanthe
• Description: We bring the poles, you bring the bait! Call 252-475-9622 to pre-register beginning the Saturday prior to the program.

Especially for Kids

• Date: Aug 27 and Aug 29 from 11:30 a.m. to 12 p.m.
• Location: Hatteras Island Visitor Center Pavilion
• Description: Hands-on games or activities for kids and families all about seashore animals.

Dark Skies Over Hatteras

• Date: Aug 27 from 9 p.m. to 10 p.m.
• Location: Ramp 43 parking area
• Description: Bring blankets and chairs for this evening of stars and stories on the beach.

Castnetting

• Date: Aug 28 from 9:30-11 a.m.
• Location: Location varies, call to pre-register
• Description: Practice this early method of fishing still used today. Call 252-475-9622 to pre-register beginning the Saturday prior to the program.

Morning Bird Walk

• Date: Aug 29 from 8 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.
• Location: Meet at the fish cleaning tables near Ramp 44
• Description: Meet winged residents and those traveling the Atlantic Flyway. Binoculars are available. Bring bug spray.

Salvo Soundside Activities for Kids

• Date: Aug 30 from 9:30 a.m. to 10 a.m.
• Location: Salvo Sound Access (Day Use Area)
• Description: Meet at Salvo Sound Access for soundside exploration and discovery.

Ocracoke Island Interpretive Programs/Activities

Pirates!

• Dates: Aug 26 from 1 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. and Aug 28 from 2:30 p.m. to 3 p.m.
• Location: Ocracoke Visitor Center
• Description: Learn about Blackbeard and others with a park ranger.

Barrier Island Nature

• Dates: Aug 26 from 3 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. and Aug 29 from 2:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.
• Location: Ocracoke Visitor Center
• Description: Join a park ranger for a talk about the wild side of the park.

All About Turtles

• Dates: Aug 27-28 from 10:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. and Aug 30 from 2:30 p.m. to 3 p.m.
• Location: Ocracoke Visitor Center
• Description: Activities for all ages.

Ocracoke History

• Dates: Aug 27 from 2:30 p.m. to 3 p.m. and Aug 29 from 10:30 a.m. to 11 a.m.
• Location: Ocracoke Visitor Center
• Description: Learn about the island’s rich past.

Banker Ponies

• Dates: Aug 28-Aug 29 from 9 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.
• Location: Ocracoke Pony Pasture
• Description: Meet the ponies unique to Ocracoke! Bring bug spray.

Birds and Beaches of Ocracoke

• Date: Aug 30 from 8:30 a.m. to 10 a.m.
• Location: Meet at public parking lot adjacent to campground
• Description: Join a ranger for an island exploration. Fun for all ages! Bring bug spray.

Inclement weather may impact lighthouse climbs and other interpretive programming.

Special Events

“Forecasting Disaster” – Special Interpretive Program

• Dates: Aug 28 from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m.
• Location: U.S. Weather Bureau Station, 57190 Kohler Rd, Hatteras, NC
• Description: Explore the historic U.S. Weather Bureau Station in Hatteras with park rangers and learn about the vital role this station played in predicting the weather and safeguarding the residents of the Outer Banks in the early 1900s. Participants will have the chance to practice taking weather readings following the program. [Press Release]

Day at the Docks

• Dates: Sept 13-14
• Location: Hatteras, NC
• Description: Day at the Docks was started to celebrate the “Spirt 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 is one of the many sponsors of this outstanding annual event.

1st Annual Surf Fishing Heritage Celebration - Special Event

• Date: Nov 2
• Location: Fessenden Center, Buxton
• Description: Cape Hatteras National Seashore, along with partner organizations, will celebrate the area’s strong surf fishing history at the 1st annual Cape Hatteras Surf Fishing Heritage Celebration. More details about this event will be posted on a special event web page and Facebook event page.