MANTEO, N.C.
While summer's steamy weather has encouraged a record number of sea turtle eggs to hatch in Cape Hatteras National Seashore this year, the bird nesting season is winding down.
Beach areas that had been completely or partially closed to protect shorebirds are starting to reopen to off-road vehicles and pedestrians.
On Wednesday, just as South Point, a popular Ocracoke Island beach for fishing, was about to be reopened, another least tern chick and adults were spotted about 1.5 miles south of Ramp 72, according to the National Park Service.
Park staff reclosed a part of the beach, but 1.1 miles of ocean shoreline access - in addition to the 0.4 mile that was previously open - has been reopened south of the ramp to ORVs and pedestrian use.
In Buxton, one mile of ocean shoreline by Ramp 45 was also reopened on Wednesday. Access to much of Cape Point and Hatteras Inlet had recently been restored.
Meanwhile, sea turtles are having a banner year in the seashore. As of Thursday, biologists have counted 102 turtle nests, said Park Service spokeswoman Cyndy Holda.
The previous record was 99 in 2002.
Most turtle hatching will happen in August and September, she said, although nests have been seen in late October. But resource protection areas, she said, will not be as dramatic as the bird closures.
"They're smaller closures," Holda said, "and a lot of times we're able to work around the back side of them for access for pedestrians and ORVs."
Catherine Kozak, (252) 441-1711, cate.kozak@pilotonline.com
Delicious
Digg
Reddit
Facebook
Google
Yahoo
As I have said before!
Defenders of Wildlife and Audubon members are not welcome here in Dare or Hyde Counties! You guys started this mess! NPS aka "The Nazi Police State" should be ashamed! The spring red drum season was a disaster to fishmen and businesses!
Let's Find another way...
...to be rid of ignorant posters!
Laura, is that pesky nature bothering you?
Winding down...
Let's see. Hmmmm. The spring fishing season wound down weeks ago. The summer vaction period is winding down too. At least we'll have the fall unless some hypersexual birds decide that breeding is no longer seasonal. Geez, this is big government at its worst. People in powerful positions without a real clue. The talk show host Tammy Bruce sums it up well. Never, ever, ever, never assume that those in positions of power and authority are more intelligent than you...they AREN'T!
what else!
guvamint bufoonery at worst. Do they have any clue how idiotic they appear? Our tax dollars at work......
let's find another way
to be rid of these birds! Does anyone have some ideas how we can legally discourage their return next year?!!!
Um...
"Winding down" does not mean ended and "night driving prohibited" seems to conflict with vehicles allowed from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. Last time I looked it was pitch black at 10 p.m.
Huntin' & Fishin' - it's a way of life. Please.