National Seashore Updates for the Week of July 18
The Cape Hatteras National Seashore (CHNS) announced several recent updates and news items related to recreational activities and seashore conditions on Hatteras and Ocracoke Islands.
News items and events related to the National Seashore for the week of July 18 include the following:
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. - 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. - 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.
- 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.
- 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.
Upcoming Events
Cape Hatteras Lighthouse Move – Interpretive Program
- Dates: July 20-27, 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.
Hatteras Island: Shaping the Barrier Islands – Interpretive Program
- Dates: July 20-27, 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 am to 9:30 am
- 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 am to 10:00 am
- 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 June 28 from 11:30 am to 12:00 pm
- 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 pm to 10:00 pm
- 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 am
- 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 am to 9:30 am
- 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 am to 10:00 am
- Location: Salvo Sound Access (Day Use Area)
- Description: Meet at Salvo Sound Access for soundside exploration and discovery.
- Ocracoke Island Interpretive
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 page and Facebook page.
