Cape Chronicle Newsletter - July 18, 2019

July 18, 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


Thanks to Dare County’s Current TV, you can now watch both portions of the Seashore’s recent special event celebrating the 20th anniversary of the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse move.

Speeches Video | Panel Discussion Video

If you live in the local area, the videos are broadcast daily on Current TV Government Channel 191 at 4 p.m. (Speeches Video) and 7 p.m. (Panel Discussion Video) until about mid-August.


Green sea turtle making its way to the ocean after laying 151 eggs near Rodanthe, NC.

Seashore Updates
  • For the third time in five years, a sea turtle nesting record at Cape Hatteras National Seashore has been set. As of July 18 at 8 a.m., Seashore staff have found 337 sea turtle nests. The previous record of 325 sea turtle nests was set in 2016. [Press Release]
  • Wright Brothers National Memorial (Kill Devil Hills, NC) will celebrate the 50th anniversary of the moon landing at a special event this Saturday, July 20. Admission to the park is free during the event. Special guest is NASA Astronaut Eric A. Boe (Colonel U.S. Air Force, Retired) who is one of only 38 active astronauts in the country. [Press Release]
  • A protection buffer remains in place at Cape Point to protect dozens of least tern eggs and more than 20 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.
  • 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 23-25 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 20-27 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 20-27 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 22 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 23 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 23 and July 26 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 23 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 24 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 25 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 26 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 22 from 1:00 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. and July 24 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 22 from 3:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. and July 25 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 23-24 from 10:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. and July 26 from 2:30 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
  • Location: Ocracoke Visitor Center
  • Description: Activities for all ages.
Ocracoke History
  • Dates: July 23 from 2:30 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. and July 25 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 24-25 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 26 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
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.

cape chronicle, NASA, sea turtles, cape hatteras lighthouse



Last updated: July 18, 2019

Park footer

Contact Info

Mailing Address:

Cape Hatteras National Seashore
1401 National Park Drive

Manteo, NC 27954

Phone:

252 473-2111

Contact Us