Cape Chronicle
August 19, 2021 | Issue 82
Photos of the Week
On August 16, Cape Hatteras National Seashore biological technicians discovered a live, two-headed loggerhead sea turtle hatchling during a routine nest excavation. A Facebook post containing a short video of the sea turtle hatchling has been shared over 1,500 times.
Sunrise view from near Oregon Inlet.
Seashore Updates
  • With 491,061 visits during the month of July, Cape Hatteras National Seashore remains on pace to surpass the most recorded visits in a calendar year.
  • Masks are required in all National Park Service buildings regardless of location or COVID-19 vaccination status. Additional details are available at www.nps.gov/coronavirus.
  • Beach visitors should be aware that dangerous surf and enhanced rip current threats associated with distant Tropical Storm Henri will impact our area today through potentially early next week. Remember that a perfect day on the beach doesn't always mean that it's a perfect day to be in the ocean. If in doubt, don't go out. Read more tips in our May 21 news release.
Seashore Programs & Activities

Bodie Island Lighthouse Climbing
  • Dates: Monday-Sunday (Daily) through Oct. 11. First climb at 9 a.m. and final climb at 5:30 p.m.
  • Details: Climbing tickets can only be purchased the day of intended climb and are only available for purchase online at www.recreation.gov/ticket/252034/ticket/10087143. Tickets go on sale daily at 7 a.m.

Bodie Island Educational Programs/Activities (May 29-Sept. 6, 2021)
The Bodie Island Lighthouse - Lighting the way for almost 150 years
  • Dates: Daily from 11-11:30 a.m.
  • Location: Meet on the back patio of the Double Keepers' Quarters
  • Description: A park ranger will discuss the details and history of this beautiful sentinel.

Shaping these Barrier Islands
  • Dates: Daily from 2-2:30 p.m.
  • Location: Meet on back patio of the Double Keepers' Quarters
  • Description: Wars, hurricanes, winds 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 this islands.

Hatteras Island Educational Programs/Activities (May 29-Sept. 6, 2021)
The Cape Hatteras Lighthouse - Lighting the way for over 150 years
  • Dates: Daily from 10-10:30 a.m.
  • Location: Meet at the Hatteras Island Visitor Center Pavilion
  • Description: A park ranger will discuss the details and history of this beautiful sentinel and provide information about current restoration efforts.

Shaping these Barrier Islands
  • Dates: Daily from 2-2:30 p.m.
  • Location: Meet at the Hatteras Island Visitor Center Pavilion
  • Description: Wars, hurricanes, winds 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 these islands.

Especially for Kids
  • Dates: Every Monday-Friday from 11-11:30 a.m.
  • Location: Hatteras Island Visitor Center Pavilion
  • Description: Learn about seashore animals through hands-on games and activities for kids and families.

Surf Fish with a Ranger
  • Dates: Every Tuesday from 8:30-10 a.m.
  • Location: Frisco, N.C.
  • Description: Ever wanted to try your hand at surf fishing? We bring the poles, you bring the bait. Registration is required. Visit the Hatteras Island Visitor Center to pre-register beginning the Saturday prior to the program.

For Kids: Soundside Explorers
  • Dates: Every Tuesday from 2:30-4 p.m.
  • Location: Salvo, N.C.
  • Description: Join a ranger for this activity-based exploration of the Pamlico Sound. Registration is required. Visit the Hatteras Island Visitor Center to pre-register beginning the Saturday prior to the program.

Castnetting
  • Dates: Every Wednesday from 9:30-11 a.m.
  • Location: Buxton, N.C.
  • Description: Come try your hand at this early method of fishing still being used today. Registration is required. Visit the Hatteras Island Visitor Center to pre-register beginning the Saturday prior to the program.

Old Days at the Weather Station
  • Dates: Every Wednesday from 2:30-3:30 p.m.
  • Location: U.S. Weather Bureau Station in Hatteras, N.C.
  • Description: Come explore the historic U.S. Weather Bureau Station and hear amazing stories that intertwine with our own lives and major historic events.

Morning Bird Walk
  • Dates: Every Thursday from 8-9:30 a.m.
  • Location: Fishing cleaning tables near off-road vehicle ramp 44
  • Description: Meet winged residents and those traveling the Atlantic Flyway. Binoculars are available.

Dark Skies Over Hatteras
  • Dates: Every Thursday from 9-10 p.m.
  • Location: Meet at off-road vehicle ramp 43
  • Description: Bring blankets and chairs for this evening of stars and stories on the beach.

Buxton Woods Nature Walk
  • Dates: Every Friday from 8-9:30 a.m.
  • Location: Meet at the picnic area across from Cape Hatteras Lighthouse
  • Description: Join a ranger for a 3/4 mile guided walk through the Buxton Woods and explore a diverse maritime forest ecosystem.

Ocracoke Island Educational Programs/Activities (May 29-Sept. 6, 2021)
Ocracoke Island Passenger Ferry Program
  • Dates: Daily from 10-10:30 a.m.
  • Location: Program occurs on the Ocracoke Express passenger ferry
  • Description: Learn about Cape Hatteras National and Ocracoke Island. This program happens on the 9:30 a.m. passenger ferry from Hatteras Island to Ocracoke Island.

Ocracoke Island Lighthouse - Lighting the way for almost 200 years
  • Dates: Saturday-Monday from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. and Tuesday-Friday from 11 a.m.-5 p.m.
  • Location: Ocracoke Lighthouse
  • Description: Visit the lighthouse and discuss the details and history of this beautiful beacon. The base of the lighthouse will be staffed and open on dates and times listed above from June 2 through August 13. Additional opportunities to view the base of the lighthouse may be possible in the coming weeks. The boardwalk and grounds are always open for visitors to walk up to the lighthouse.

Stories of Ocracoke Island
  • Dates: Monday-Friday from 11-11:30 a.m.
  • Location: Meet outside visitor center
  • Description: Learn about the location and legacy of Ocracoke Island. From serving as an early port village and primary point of entry to North Carolina to Blackbeard's final battle, Ocracoke Island possesses a unique heritage resulting from its continued remote setting.

Shaping these Barrier Islands
  • Dates: Monday-Friday from 2:30-3 p.m.
  • Location: Meet outside visitor center
  • Description: Wars, hurricanes, winds 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 these islands.

Banker Ponies
  • Dates: Every Monday, Tuesday and Thursday from 10-10:45 a.m.
  • Location: Pony Pen
  • Description: Come meet the ponies who once roamed as a wild herd and learn about their living history on Ocracoke Island.

War Comes to Ocracoke
  • Dates: Every Monday, Wednesday and Thursday from 4-4:30 p.m.
  • Location: Meet outside Ocracoke Visitor Center
  • Description: Learn about the role Ocracoke Island and the Outer Banks have played in shaping our country's conflicts.

Explore the Shore
  • Dates: Every Wednesday from 9-9:45 a.m.
  • Location: Meet outside at the beach access parking area adjacent to the Ocracoke Campground
  • Description: Take an easy beach walk with a ranger and learn about what calls the beach its home.

Fort Raleigh NHS & Wright Brothers NMEM Programs & Activities

Fort Raleigh NHS Educational Programs/Activities (May 29-Sept. 6, 2021)
Freedman's Colony
  • Dates: Daily from 11-11:30 a.m. and 2-2:30 p.m.
  • Location: Meet outside Lindsay Warren Visitor Center
  • Description: A beacon of hope! During the American Civil War, Roanoke Island became a safe haven for formerly enslaved people. Discover the successes and failures of the Freedman's Colony and its fate after the Civil War.

The Lost Colony - Walking Tour
  • Dates: Daily from 1-1:30 p.m. and 3-3:30 p.m.
  • Location: Meet outside Lindsay Warren Visitor Center
  • Description: Delve into the history and mystery surrounding England's first attempt to establish a colony in the new world.

Wright Brothers NMEM Educational Programs/Activities (May 29-Sept. 6, 2021)
Wind and Sand
  • Dates: Daily at 10 a.m., 11 a.m., 12 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. (30 minute program)
  • Location: Meet on the back patio of the visitor center
  • Description: Step back in history during this short walk to the actual site of the Wright brothers' first powered flights.

Wright Legacy
  • Dates: Daily from 1-1:30 p.m. and 3:30-4 p.m.
  • Location: Meet in the white tent
  • Description: Twelve seconds was all the Wright Brothers needed on Dec. 17, 1903 to show the world humans could fly. Those twelve seconds were just the start of aviation history and the Wright legacy. Explore the rest of the Wright story as you discover the impact that Wilbur and Orville had on history, the legacy they left behind and how they are remembered in the world today.

Bicycle Program
  • Dates: Every Monday from 9:30-10:15 a.m.
  • Location: Meet at the bicycle rack next to the visitor center
  • Description: Let's go for a ride like the Wright brothers! Wilbur and Orville’s bicycle business provided knowledge and funding for their aviation experiments. Bring your bike and helmet and take a trip back in time on this special program to discover what this place looked like when Wilbur and Orville were experimenting with the idea of flight. This easy, ranger-led bike ride will take you along park roads and explore the reasons why the Wright brothers chose this location, their experiments in flight, and the building of the monument and visitor center. Maximum group size: 15 people - first come, first served

Wright Kite
  • Dates: Every Tuesday-Thursday from 10-11:30 a.m.
  • Location: Meet at the white tent
  • Description: Test the winds of the Outer Banks just like Wilbur and Orville and fly a kite! Bring your own kite or fly one of ours. Kids must be accompanied by an adult at all times, and is appropriate for ages 6 and up. This a first come, first served program with 30 kites available.

Check out the park calendar on the NPS mobile app for updates.

Inclement weather may impact educational programming.
Cape Hatteras National Seashore's Cape Chronicle e-Newsletter provides brief, timely and newsworthy content throughout the year. For more information about America's first national seashore, visit www.nps.gov/caha.

The National Park Service preserves unimpaired the natural and cultural resources and values of the National Park System for the enjoyment, education, and inspiration of this and future generations. The Park Service cooperates with partners to extend the benefits of natural and cultural resource conservation and outdoor recreation throughout this country and the world.