Cape Chronicle Newsletter - May 2, 2019

May 02, 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

Kids can meet Seashore staff at the Salvo Day Use Area for soundside exploration and discovery every Friday at 9:30 am, starting May 31.

View of the Pamlico Sound from the Salvo Day Use Area.

A ribbon cutting ceremony for the Kite Point parking area took place on Wednesday, May 1. Superintendent David Hallac, Dare County Commissioner Danny Couch, Earl Fountain from the Cape Hatteras Electric Cooperative, Trip Forman, and members of the kitesurfing community participated in the event. Thank you!

Troop 308 from Cleveland, NC, raising the U.S. flag at Oregon Inlet Campground.

Seashore Updates

• The Federal Highway Administration is doing great work preserving park roads in Buxton. Learn more about the one year FHWA project to preserve pavement at Cape Hatteras National Seashore, Fort Raleigh National Historic Site, and Wright Brothers National Memorial.
• Shorebird nesting season is off to a strong start this year. There are two American oystercatcher nests and two piping plover nests in the Cape Point area. Three of the four nests are a fair distance west of the Point, but one of the nests is near it. A driving corridor was established in front of the nest area on April 9 to allow passage of off-road vehicles to open areas.
• Least tern activity across the Seashore is being observed and Seashore staff expect to observe nests any day now.
• About 70 Least terns are showing signs that nesting will occur soon near the Cape Point area. Once nesting begins, protection areas will be put in place and they may affect access to the southern tip of Cape Point.
• Night driving restrictions started the evening of May 1. For current beach access information, go to: http://go.nps.gov/beachaccess.

Upcoming Events

Cape Hatteras Lighthouse Move - Interpretive Program

• Dates: May 3-10, 10:30 am to 10:50 am
• 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 - Interpretive Program

• Dates: May 3-10, 3:30-3:50 pm
• 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.

Visit the Ocracoke Lighthouse

• Dates: May 3-6 from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm & 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm
• Description: The base of the Ocracoke Lighthouse will be open for viewing.

Beach Cleanup Volunteer Events

• Dates: June 22 and September 21 (details to follow)

20^th Anniversary of the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse Move Celebration Event

• Date: July 1, starting at 9:30 am
• Location: Event tent near Cape Hatteras Lighthouse
• Description: The public is invited to a free event to celebrate the 20^th anniversary of the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse move. The event will include speeches, a question and answer session, artifacts from the lighthouse move, expanded interpretive programming, activities for children, and free lighthouse climbing! See press release for more details.

1st Annual Surf Fishing Heritage Celebration

• Date: November 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.