Cape Chronicle Newsletter - July 3, 2019

July 03, 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

Coquina Beach - July 4, 1957


The original location of the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse can be found at this new marker on Old Lighthouse Beach. Thank you to John Havel for making it happen!

Seashore Updates

• Approximately 250 people attended Monday’s special celebration event for the 20^th anniversary of the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse move. Many thanks to the Outer Banks Lighthouse Society, Outer Banks Forever, and Dare County’s CURRENTtv, for supporting this successful event. If you missed the celebration, it is still possible to view the event on Outer Banks Forever’s Facebook Page.

• July 4 is Free Fishing Day in North Carolina. From 12:00 a.m. until 11:59 p.m., everyone in North Carolina can fish for free in any public body of water, including coastal waters, without having to purchase a fishing license. More info.
• Visitors are reminded that fireworks are prohibited at Cape Hatteras National Seashore. Please help protect your seashore and the local community by leaving fireworks at home. If you see fireworks being used, call 252-473-3444. Legally permitted fireworks can be viewed on July 3^rd at the Ocracoke boat ramps and on July 4^th at the Avon Fishing Pier.
• Cape Hatteras National Seashore recently made structural improvements to the Avon Fishing Pier. All on-site work has been completed. [Press Release]
• A protection buffer remains in place at Cape Point to protect approximately 30 least tern nests, more than 50 least tern eggs, and multiple least tern chicks.
  • ORVs and pedestrians can currently travel 0.61 miles south of ORV Ramp 44. Only the last quarter mile of the Ramp 44 beach route is within the protection buffer.
  • Staff continue to monitor the Cape Point area. Once nesting activity has concluded, the protection buffer at Cape Point will be removed.
• There is a wide assortment of shorebird activity within the South Point protection buffer on Ocracoke Island. Approximate number of chicks within the buffer: 6 American oystercatchers, 11 least terns, 9 common terns, 63 black skimmers, and 5 gull-bill terns.
• The sand is extra soft at many ORV ramps and routes. Airing down tires to at least 20 psi is highly recommended.
• 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, 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Cape Hatteras Lighthouse Climbing

• Dates: Daily until Oct 14, 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

See Inside Ocracoke Lighthouse

• Dates: July 9-11 from 1:30 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
• Description: The base of the Ocracoke Lighthouse will be open for viewing.

Hatteras Island Interpretive Programs/Activities
Cape Hatteras Lighthouse Move

• Dates: July 6-12 from 10:30 a.m. to 11:00 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: July 6-12 from 3:30-4:00 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: July 8 from 8:00 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: July 9 from 8:30 a.m. to 10:00 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: July 9 and June 28 from 11:30 a.m. to 12:00 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: July 9 from 9:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.
• Location: Ramp 43 parking area
• Description: Bring blankets and chairs for this evening of stars and stories on the beach.

Castnetting

• Date: July 10 from 9:30-11:00 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: July 11 from 8:00 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: July 12 from 9:30 a.m. to 10:00 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: July 8 from 1:00 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. and July 10 from 2:30 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
• Location: Ocracoke Visitor Center
• Description: Learn about Blackbeard and others with a park ranger.

Barrier Island Nature

• Dates: July 8 from 3:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. and July 11 from 2:30 a.m. to 3:00 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: July 9-10 from 10:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. and July 12 from 2:30 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
• Location: Ocracoke Visitor Center
• Description: Activities for all ages.

Ocracoke History

• Dates: July 9 from 2:30 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. and July 11 from 10:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
• Location: Ocracoke Visitor Center
• Description: Learn about the island’s rich past.

Banker Ponies

• Dates: July 10-11 from 9:00 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: July 12 from 8:30 a.m. to 10:00 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.

Special Events
Independence Day Celebration (Ocracoke Island)
July 3
-At 9:15 p.m., watch fireworks at the NPS docks and around Silver Lake Harbor.
July 4
-Meet “Captain,” the newest stallion, at the Ocracoke Pony Pen from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.
-From 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., the base of the Ocracoke Lighthouse will be open for viewing.
July 5
-A community beach fire will take place from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at the Ocracoke Beach Access (lifeguard beach).

Independence Day Celebration (Hatteras Island)
July 4
-At 9:15 p.m., watch fireworks from the beach near the Avon Fishing Pier (41001 NC-12, Avon). Rain date is July 5.

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.

Inclement weather may impact lighthouse climbs and other interpretive programming.