Sea Turtle Nest Excavation

National Park Service News Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: DATE: August 30, 2010
CONTACT: Cyndy Holda, 252-473-2111, ext. 148

Crowds Gather to Watch Turtle Nest Excavations

On a hot, late summer evening with quiet ocean waves lapping on the beach, crowds of national seashore visitors gather to watch the excavation of a sea turtle nest in Cape Hatteras National Seashore, as Park Service biological technicians perform an important part of their duties.

The Seashore has experienced a record number of 151 nests to date for the 2010 season. At least 72 hours after a sea turtle nest has naturally hatched, the nest cavity is examined or “excavated” by park staff to count eggshells and determine the hatch and emergence rates for the nest. A nest excavation begins with park staff carefully removing sand from the nest cavity to examine eggshell fragments and any remaining unhatched eggs.
Eggshells and eggs are counted and unhatched eggs are checked for stage of development and fertility. Sometimes the staff will find live hatchling(s) that have not made it out of the nest cavity and will release the
hatchling(s) into the ocean at least one hour after dusk. From this examination, the hatch success for the nest can be determined and the information is added to the turtle nesting databases for the Seashore and the State of North Carolina.

In addition to the information gained, excavations provide park staff a chance to learn the result of their many hours of effort to monitor and protect these nest sites, and also provides an opportunity for park visitors to observe the process and share the experience.

Interested persons should check the bulletin boards or contact the Ocracoke Visitor Center (252-928-4531) or Buxton Visitor Center (252-995-4474) to check the date for the next nest excavation (if available) at a nearby Seashore location or call 252-995-6968 during normal business hours.

For more information, see the park website at: www.nps.gov/caha

Photo Caption: "Crowds view a turtle nest excavation on Cape Hatteras National Seashore beach."
Photo Credit: NPS

(See attached file: 083010 James Nest Ex_sm.JPG) Photo Caption: "72 hours after a sea turtle nest has naturally hatched, NPS personnel excavate to determine hatch success rates and other information about the nest."
Photo Credit: NPS

Full Moon Cape Hatteras Lighthouse Tour August 24

National Park Service News Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: DATE: August 19, 2010
CONTACT: Jason Ginder 252-995-4474 x24

NPS Offers Full Moon Tour of the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse

As a special experience for the visiting public and local communities, the National Park Service will be offering Full Moon Tours of the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse the evening of August 24. Two tours will be given, one at 7:30 p.m. and a second at 8:30 p.m. Each tour is limited to 30 people. Tickets must be purchased in advance. Full Moon Tour ticket sales will start on Sunday, August 22, 2010. The lighthouse ticket booth is open from 8:15 a.m. to 5:40 p.m. daily. Full Moon Tour tickets are non-refundable.

As there are no lights inside the lighthouse, climbers will navigate the
257 stair staircase using hand held flashlights. During the climb, park rangers will provide stories of the arduous duties of the lighthouse keeper. From the watch room, visitors will be able to view the light up close and in motion and hear of the operation of the beacon, past and present - a truly unique experience. Outside on the lighthouse balcony (weather permitting) climbers will get a glimpse of what the lighthouse keepers of old were able to experience - seeing that beam of light reaching out to sea and the startling reflection of the newly risen moon on the ocean.

Things to know:

1. Full Moon Tour tickets, limited to the first 60 purchasers, must be purchased in person, in advance, at the lighthouse ticket booth. Full Moon Tour ticket sales will begin Sunday, August 22. It is anticipated that tickets will sell out early. Standard admissions fees apply - $7 for adults, and $3.50 for children (11 and under) as well as seniors (62 and older). The lighthouse ticket booth, located at the lighthouse site, is open from 8:15 a.m. – 5:40 p.m. daily.

2. Each participant must bring a hand held flashlight with fresh, serviceable batteries.

3. All participants are required to be at least 42 inches tall and must climb the steps on their own – they can not be carried! If unsure, check with the Rangers before purchasing your non-refundable ticket. Also, keep in mind that some youngsters, although meeting height requirements, may not enjoy the dimly lit, sometimes claustrophobic environment.

4. Children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult.

5. For safety reasons, all participants must climb and descend with the group. No exceptions.

6. Know your limitations! The lighthouse is tall, dark, often hot, humid, and can be a challenge to climb. There are no internal lights or air conditioning.

7. All routine lighthouse safety requirements, as well as restrictions as to eating, drinking, gum, etc., apply. This information will be provided to you when you purchase your ticket.

8. Tickets are non-refundable. If the program is canceled due to weather, the ticket holder may exchange the ticket the following morning, August 25, between the hours of 8:15 a.m. and 9:15 a.m. for a replacement ticket usable only on August 25. This ticket will be for day climbing only.

-NPS-

Good Winds Restaurant, Waves Village

We, six of us, had the most pleasurable dining experience last night at the newest restaurant in the Rodanthe, Waves, Salvo area and Hatteras Island for that fact. Good Winds, located within in the Kitty Hawk Kites building in Waves Village is a must do dining experience!

All I can say is P-H-E-N-O-M-E-N-A-L!!!  The food was absolutely incredible, the portions were huge, the service was excellent, the atmosphere relaxing, the views breathtaking and the entire experience perfect. 

They also support our local fishermen and women!  My brother is a commercial fisherman so their support his local industry means a lot to our family.  Serving over 80% local seafood is about the best you’ll get in the area.  We always encourage you to ask for Outer Banks Catch, http://www.outerbankscatch.com/, and Good Winds is a designated member.

Please your palette and enjoy a taste of Good Winds.  We highly recommend it!

Good Winds Seafood & Wine Bar
Joel & Robbie Sardinha
24502 Hwy 12, MP 40
Rodanthe, NC 27968

252-987-1100
www.goodwindsrestaurant.com

Ramp 23 Salvo

The blockade came down today so 4WD beach access is open at Ramp 23 just outside Salvo! Yay!!

National Aviation Day Celebration - Wright Monument, August 19

National Park Service News Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:  DATE:  August 12, 2010
CONTACT: Wright Brothers National Memorial, 252-441-7430

National Aviation Day Celebration : A Family Fun Day - Events Taking Place Throughout the Day at Wright Brothers National Memorial

Thursday, August 19, 2010 will be a family fun day at Wright Brothers National Memorial as the National Park Service celebrates National Aviation Day and Orville Wright’s 139th birthday.  Orville Wright was born in Dayton, Ohio on August 19, 1871.  He and his older brother Wilbur Wright were the first to fly on that historic morning of December 17, 1903 at Kitty Hawk, North Carolina.

Schedule of Events:
9 a.m. to 6 p.m. – Junior Flight Ranger Program:  Kids . . . don’t forget to ask about the Wright Brothers Junior Ranger Program!  Pick-up a Junior Ranger booklet at the Visitor Center information desk.

10 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. - Flight Room Talk:  Learn how the Wright brothers solved the problems of human flight as a park ranger tells the story of their triumph at Kitty Hawk. Visitor Center Flight Room Auditorium.

10 a.m. to 2 p.m. – Let’s Go Fly A Kite:  There will be fun for the whole family with kite building and kite flying demonstrations by Kitty Hawk Kites.  Centennial Pavilion Exhibit Hall.

10 a.m. to 3 p.m. – Book Signing: author Jim Martin will be signing his newly released book “The Beacon On Kill Devil Hills”.  Main Lobby Visitor Center

10 a.m. to 1 p.m. – Life at Kitty Hawk:  Join descendents of the original crew of the Kill Devil Hills Life Saving Station and see a reproduction of the camera that took the famous first flight photograph on the morning of December 17, 1903.  Wright Brothers Camp Buildings.

10:30 a.m. 11:30 a.m. – A Salute to the National Civil Air Patrol:   The
First Flight Society, the organization that helped establish Wright Brothers National Memorial in 1927, presents the opening of a one-day temporary exhibit honoring the Civil Air Patrol. Aircraft static displays and a one aircraft fly-by. Centennial Pavilion Auditorium.

11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. – Our “National Treasure” Exhibit: Learn more about the key missions of the Civil Air Patrol; search and rescue, disaster relief operation and aerospace education for youth and the general public.
The exhibit will be manned by Civil Air Patrol personal thought out the event. Centennial Pavilion Auditorium & Park Grounds.

2 p.m. to 3 p.m. - Dedication Ceremonies In support of the First Flight Society's salute to the Civil Air Patrol, Friends of The Monument To A Century of Flight will conduct a formal ceremony, dedicating one of its pylons to the National Civil Air Patrol.
The CAP Color Guard will participate along with national and local officials. The public as well as all current and former CAP members are cordially invited. The Monument is located in Kitty Hawk, adjacent to the Aycock Brown Visitor's Center at Milepost 1 on US-158 by-pass.

11 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. - Flight Room Talk:  Learn how the Wright brothers solved the problems of human flight as a park ranger tells the story of their triumph at Kitty Hawk. Visitor Center Flight Room Auditorium.

11:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. - First Flight Tour:  Step back in history 106 years ago when the Wright brothers made the world’s first flight during a short walk to the actual site.  Visitor Center Back Patio.

12 p.m. to 12:30 p.m. - Flight Room Talk:  Learn how the Wright brothers solved the problems of human flight as a park ranger tells the story of their triumph at Kitty Hawk.  Visitor Center Flight Room Auditorium.

1 p.m. to 2 p.m. – Ladies and Gentleman: The Aeroplane!   Presented by Paul
Glenshaw, Executive Director of The Discovery of Flight Foundation.  See rare footage of the Wright brothers’ Exhibition Team, 1910-1912. Centennial Pavilion Auditorium.

2 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.  – Flight Room Talk:  Learn how the Wright brothers solved the problems of human flight as a park ranger tells the story of their triumph at Kitty Hawk.  Visitor Center Flight Room Auditorium.

3 p.m. to 4 p.m. – Rediscovering the First Aviation Documentary:  presented by Paul Glenshaw, Director of The Discovery of Flight Foundation.  Never seen before documentary filmed by Thomas Edison of the Wright Brothers at Fort Myer,1909.  Centennial Pavilion Auditorium.

3 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. - Flight Room Talk:  Learn how the Wright brothers solved the problems of human flight as a park ranger tells the story of their triumph at Kitty Hawk.  Visitor Center Flight Room Auditorium.

3 p.m. to 4 p.m. – First Flight Tour: Step back in history 106 years ago when the Wright brothers made the world’s first flight during a short walk to the actual site.  Visitor Center Back Patio.

4 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. – Flight Room Talk:  Learn how the Wright brothers solved the problems of human flight as a park ranger tells the story of their triumph at Kitty Hawk.  Visitor Center Flight Room Auditorium.

6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. - Family Night with Flight:  Learn about flight through gadgets and toys, much like the Wright brothers did as children.
Centennial Pavilion Auditorium.

On National Aviation Day, Wright Brothers National Memorial will be open from 9:00 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.  Park fees will be waived for the event.

                                                -NPS-