Photo of the Week
Cape Hatteras National Seashore and Outer Banks Forever attended Roxy Beach Day in Rodanthe last Friday. At the event, Seashore staff shared ocean safety messages, taught visitors about the park’s resources, and showcased the variety of jobs the National Park Service offers.
Seashore Updates
- On July 8, 2019, Jamie Lester Underwood, 39, of Winston-Salem, North Carolina admitted in federal court to using a pocket knife to etch his girlfriend’s initials into the original bronze door of the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse. Underwood was ordered to pay $1,922 in restitution and was placed on one year of probation. [Press Release]
- National Park Service Rangers continue to investigate multiple reports of tires being intentionally punctured at parking areas on Bodie and Hatteras islands. Please contact the National Park Service’s Investigative Services Branch or the Dare County Community Crimeline if you have information that could help investigators. [Press Release]
- Ocean safety information cards and stickers are being distributed to visitor centers and local businesses. The cards and stickers were created through a partnership with Outer Banks Forever, Dare County, Outer Banks Visitors Bureau, Wesley’s Way Foundation, and Cape Hatteras National Seashore. View the cards and stickers here.
- As of July 26 at 9 a.m., staff have found 386 sea turtle nests across the Seashore.
A loggerhead hatchling from the first nest excavation of the season on Ocracoke Island.
- A protection buffer remains in place at the tip of Cape Point to protect multiple least tern eggs and least tern chicks that are in the area.
- As of this morning, a path at the southwest corner of the Cape Point protection boundary was established to provide pedestrian access to the south facing beach near the tip of Cape Point. From the protection boundary to the south facing beach is approximately 500 feet. Once on the south facing beach, visitors can walk approximately 0.40 miles to the west and 250 feet to the east.
- ORVs can travel 0.61 miles south of ORV Ramp 44. Additional ORV access will be provided when possible.
- Pole Road, located near Ramp 55 on Hatteras Island, was fully opened to off-road vehicle traffic yesterday. A portion of the road was temporarily closed to protect Wilson’s plover chicks. During the temporary closure, a beach detour was available.
- Starting August 1, priority ORV ramps open at 6:30 a.m. and close at 9 p.m. All other designated ORV ramps open at 7 a.m. and close at 9 p.m. Transition to night driving (24 hours a day) could occur as early as September 15 if there are no sea turtle nests along a route.
- 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.
Bodie Island Lighthouse Climbing
- Dates: Daily until Oct 14, 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
- Dates: Daily until Oct 14, 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
- Dates: July 30-Aug 1 from 1:30 p.m. to 3 p.m.
- Description: The base of the Ocracoke Lighthouse will be open for viewing.
Cape Hatteras Lighthouse Move
- Dates: July 27-Aug 2 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.
- Dates: July 27-Aug 2 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.
- Date: July 29 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.
- Date: July 30 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.
- Date: July 30 and Aug 1 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.
- Date: July 30 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.
- Date: July 31 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.
- Date: Aug 1 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.
- Date: Aug 2 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.
Pirates!
- Dates: July 29 from 1 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. and July 31 from 2:30 p.m. to 3 p.m.
- Location: Ocracoke Visitor Center
- Description: Learn about Blackbeard and others with a park ranger.
- Dates: July 29 from 3 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. and Aug 1 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.
- Dates: July 30-31 from 10:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. and Aug 2 from 2:30 p.m. to 3 p.m.
- Location: Ocracoke Visitor Center
- Description: Activities for all ages.
- Dates: July 30 from 2:30 p.m. to 3 p.m. and Aug 1 from 10:30 a.m. to 11 a.m.
- Location: Ocracoke Visitor Center
- Description: Learn about the island’s rich past.
- Dates: July 31-Aug 1 from 9 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.
- Location: Ocracoke Pony Pasture
- Description: Meet the ponies unique to Ocracoke! Bring bug spray.
- Date: Aug 2 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.
“Forecasting Disaster” – Special Interpretive Program
- Dates: Aug 14 and 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.
- 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.