Cape Hatteras National Seashore
Resource Management Field Summary for May 27 – June 2, 2010
(Bodie, Hatteras and Ocracoke Districts)
Piping Plover (PIPL) Observations:
|
Observations |
Thurs 5/27 |
Fri 5/28 |
Sat 5/29 |
Sun 5/30 |
Mon 5/31 |
Tues 6/1 |
Weds 6/2 |
|
Oregon Inlet |
2 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
1 |
|
Cape Point1 |
0 |
1 |
5 |
4 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
|
South Beach |
2 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
1 |
2 |
|
Hatteras Inlet |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Hatteras Overwash |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
N. Ocracoke |
2 |
1 |
1 |
2 |
1 |
2 |
1 |
|
S. Ocracoke |
2 |
2 |
2 |
2 |
3 |
3 |
2 |
1 Does not include chick totals.
Bodie District:
Bodie Island: PIPLs have been observed this week. 4 scrapes were found on 5/27, and 6 scrapes were found on 6/2.
Hatteras District:
Cape Point: Up to five PIPLs have been observed at one time. Six broods have 16 chicks. Five chicks have been lost to unknown causes. A lone male continues to be observed.
South Beach: Two lone PIPLs and scrapes in different territories continue to be observed.
Hatteras Overwash/Hatteras Inlet: No PIPL have been observed.
Other Beaches: No PIPL have been observed.
Ocracoke District:
North Ocracoke: Up to 2 PIPLs have been observed foraging and/or roosting on the ocean and inlet shorelines. On 5/27 a one egg nest was found on the east side of the spit within Colonial Waterbird Colony 2. The nest was exclosed on 5/31 as a three-egg nest. This is the first documented PIPL nest on North Ocracoke since 1996.
South Point: Up to 3 PIPLs have been observed along the inlet and oceanside shorelines, as well as within the mudflats. At least three pairs have had documented nests. Two pairs have 4 egg nests (one re-nest). A third pair that lost its 3-egg re-nest on 5/26 has new scrapes. Currently there are two active PIPL nests at South Point.
PIPL Breeding Summary:
|
Total Nests to Date |
Active Nests |
Total Nests Hatched |
Total Nests Lost |
Total Eggs Hatched |
Unfledged Chicks |
Lost Chicks |
Fledged Chicks |
|
12 |
3 |
6 |
3 |
21 |
16 |
5 |
0 |
Nest Summary/Expected hatch dates:
Nest/Brood 1 - Cape Point. Four chicks hatched on 5/13. The four chicks are 20 days old and should fledge sometime after 6/9.
Nest/Brood 2 - Cape Point. Two chicks hatched on 5/14 and are 19 days old and should fledge sometime after 6/10.
Nest/Brood 3 & 5 - Cape Point. Three chicks hatched on 5/21. One chick that appeared “weak” was lost on 5/28 and the two remaining chicks are 13 days old and should fledge sometime after 6/17. The adults from Brood 3 have adopted the two chicks from Brood 5 which are 10 days old and should fledge sometime after 6/20.
Nest 4 - Cape Point. Four chicks hatched on 5/21 and are 13 days old and should fledge sometime after 6/17.
Nest 5 - Cape Point. Four chicks hatched on 5/24, two chicks were lost on 5/30 and the remaining two chicks joined Brood 3 on 6/1.
Nest 6 - Cape Point. Four chicks hatched on 5/21, one was lost on 5/22 and another on 5/28 the remaining three remaining chicks are 13 days old, and should fledge sometime after 6/17.
Nest 7 - South Point. Lost on 5/2.
Nest 8 - South Point. Lost on 5/5.
Nest 9 - South Point. This nest was discovered as a one-egg nest on 5/4, exclosed as a three-egg nest on 5/8, and was a four egg nest on 5/12. Hatching should occur on or near 6/3.
Nest 10 - South Point. This nest was discovered as a three-egg nest on 5/16 and exclosed the same day. The nest was still a three egg nest as of 5/25. This nest was most likely a re-nest from Pair #7, which lost Nest 7 on South Point. This nest was lost to storm overwash and flooding on 5/26.
Nest 11 - South Point. This nest was discovered as a three-egg nest on 5/16 and exclosed the same day. The nest became a four-egg nest on 5/17. This nest was most likely a re-nest from Pair #8, which abandoned/lost Nest 8. Hatching should occur on or near 6/11.
Nest 12 – North Ocracoke. This nest was discovered as a one-egg nest on 5/27 and exclosed on 5/31 as a three-egg nest. Hatching should occur on or near 6/26.
WIPL Update:
WIPLs have been observed on a regular basis on South Point Ocracoke within the pre-nesting closure. One nest, found as a 1 egg nest on 5/10, has been confirmed as a WIPL nest. The nest is currently a 3 egg nest.
American Oystercatchers (AMOY):
|
Location |
Total Nests to Date |
Active Nests |
Nests Hatched |
Nests Lost |
Total Chicks Hatched |
Unfledged Chicks |
Chicks Lost |
Fledged Chicks |
|
Green Island |
3 |
2 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Bodie District |
2 |
1 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Bodie/Hatteras District |
4 |
0 |
3 |
1 |
7 |
7 |
0 |
0 |
|
Hatteras District |
12 |
4 |
71 |
1 |
17 |
15 |
2 |
0 |
|
Ocracoke District |
5 |
1 |
3 |
1 |
6 |
4 |
2 |
0 |
|
CAHA TOTALS |
26 |
8 |
13 |
5 |
30 |
26 |
4 |
0 |
1One nest with one chick and two eggs was lost and the adults have re-nested.
2010 AMOY Breeding Pairs: Twenty-three confirmed breeding pairs of AMOYs have been documented this year. One “potential” pair still appears to be holding a territory and another “potential” pair may be nesting soundside or on an offshore island.
Bodie District:
- Green Island: Two breeding pairs have nests (both three-eggs).
- Bodie Island: A one-egg AMOY nest is being incubated. This nest is a clutch continuation and the first two eggs laid in different locations have been lost.
- Bodie/Hatteras District (Rodanthe to Ramp 30): One pair has a three egg nest. One pair has three chicks that hatched on 5/15 and 5/16. A second pair has two chicks that hatched on 5/22. A third pair has two chicks that hatched on 5/26 and 5/27.
Hatteras District: Four breeding pairs have three three-egg nests and one two-egg nest. Two of the three-egg nests are in the process of hatching (pipped eggs). Seven nests have hatched and two chicks have been lost. One nest was abandoned and subsequently depredated. There are currently six broods (three with three chicks and three with two chicks) of AMOY chicks.
Ocracoke District:
- North Ocracoke: One pair is brooding three chicks that hatched 5/28-5/29.
- Other Beaches (Ramp 59-Ramp 72): The northern most pair hatched one chick on 5/25. The second and third eggs were lost. A second AMOY pair has documented breeding behavior, but no nest. Another pair lost two chicks on or just before 5/21. A new one-egg re-nest was found for this pair on 5/30. The nest is now a three-egg nest.
- South Point: Two pairs of AMOYs continue to occupy the area south of Ramp 72. One pair continues to be observed in its territory. The other pair lost a two egg nest in the high surf and flooding of South Point on 5/26. This pair has new scrapes documented this week.
Colonial Waterbirds (CWB):
Bodie District:
Colony BIC01- 0.8 mi S of Ramp 4 active with LETE nests and scrapes.
Green Island:
Colony GIC01- N, W, and S end of Green Island active with COTE nests and scrapes, and BLSK scrapes.
Bodie Hatteras District:
Colony BHC01- 0.3 mi N of Ramp 23 to 0.3 mi S of Ramp 23 active with LETE nests and scrapes.
Colony BHC02- 0.2 mi S of Ramp 27 active with LETE nests and scrapes.
Colony BHC03- 2.7 mi N of Ramp 27 active with LETE nests and scrapes.
Hatteras District:
Colony HIC01 - 1.5 mi S of Ramp 38 to 2.4 mi S of Ramp 38 active with LETE nests and scrapes.
Colony HIC02 - 0.1 mi W of Ramp 45 active with LETE nests and scrapes.
Colony HIC03 - 0.1 mi E of Salt Pond Ramp active with LETE nests.
Ocracoke District:
Colony OIC01- 0.9 mi S of Ramp 72 active with LETE, COTE, and BLSK nests and scrapes as of 5/25. Lost most nests during flooding on 5/26. Birds are now returning and re-nesting.
Colony OIC02- 0.1 mi N of Ramp 59 active with LETE and COTE scrapes and nests.
Colony OIC02-A- 0.8 mi N of Ramp 59 active with LETE, COTE, and BLSK nests and scrapes.
Sea Turtle Nests (New Nests this Week):
Bodie District:
None this week
Bodie Hatteras District:
None this week
Hatteras District:
6/1 – A loggerhead sea turtle nest was found 0.5 mi SW of Ramp 45.
Ocracoke District:
6/2 – A loggerhead sea turtle nest was found 3.7 mi NE of Ramp 67.
New nests this week: 2
Total nests to date: 2
New false crawls this week: 0
Total false crawls to date: 0
Sea Turtle Strandings:
Bodie District:
- 5/27- A severely decomposed loggerhead sea turtle was found dead 1.7 mi S of Ramp 27.
- 5/27- A moderately decomposed loggerhead sea turtle was found dead 3.2 mi N of Ramp 23.
- 5/28- A severely decomposed loggerhead sea turtle was found dead 1.0 mi N of Ramp 30.
Hatteras District:
- 5/29 - A moderately decomposed male loggerhead sea turtle was found dead 1.2 mi N of Ramp 34
- 5/29 - A fresh dead male green sea turtle was found dead 1.5 mi E of Ramp 49
- 5/30 - A moderately decomposed loggerhead sea turtle was found dead 1.3 mi N of Ramp 55
Ocracoke District:
- 5/28 – A severely decomposed loggerhead sea turtle was found dead 0.7 mi N of Ramp 59.
- 5/30 – A severely decomposed loggerhead sea turtle was found dead 1.5 mi N of Ramp 67.
Marine Mammals:
Bodie District:
- 5/25- A stranded live male pygmy sperm whale was found and sedated 0.2 mi S of Ramp 1. The whale was necropsied on 5/26.
- 5/28- NPS staff assisted with the response and sedation of a stranded live adult female pygmy sperm whale at mile post 3 in Kitty Hawk. The whale was necropsied by NPS and NCWRC.
Hatteras District:
- None this week.
Ocracoke District:
- None this week.
Closures – additions/modifications/removals:
|
Closure # |
Location |
Species |
Date Installed or Removed |
|
Bodie District |
|
|
|
|
BI10-001-E |
0.9 mi S of Ramp 4 |
LETE |
5/27/2010 |
|
BH10-002-C |
0.6 mi N of Ramp 30 |
AMOY |
5/29/2010 |
|
BH10-001-D |
0.6 mi N of Ramp 30 |
AMOY |
5/31/2010 |
|
BH10-004-B |
2.7 mi N of Ramp 27 |
AMOY |
5/31/2010 |
|
Hatteras District |
|
|
|
|
HI10-010-B |
0.8 mi S of Ramp 38 |
LETE |
5/27/2010 |
|
HI10-006-B |
Sandy Bay |
AMOY |
5/29/2010 |
|
HI10-001-F |
Ramp 45 |
PIPL |
5/31/2010 |
|
HI10-002-I |
South Beach |
LETE |
6/2/2010 |
|
Ocracoke District |
|
|
|
|
OI10-006-R |
0.4 mi N. of Ramp 67 |
AMOY |
5/28/2010-removed |
|
OI10-007-R |
0.3 mi S of Ramp 68 |
AMOY |
5/28/2010-removed |
|
OI10-003-D |
1.6 mi N of Ramp 70 |
AMOY |
5/31/2010 |
|
OI10-002-F |
1.9 mi S of Ramp 72 |
AMOY |
5/31/2010 |
|
|
|
|
|
Closure intrusions:
Bodie District:
5/30- Signs had not been replaced from an ocean rescue at Ramp 23 on 5/28, seven pedestrian tracks with one set of dog tracks were documented entering the closure from Ramp 23.
5/31- Two sets of footprints were documented within the closure 0.2 mi S of Ramp 27.
5/23- One set of footprints were documented within the closure 0.1 mi N of Ramp 23.
Hatteras District:
5/30- Four sets of footprints were documented near Ramp 45 traveling all the way to the Point, and returning.
5/31- Two sets of footprints were documented traveling from Ramp 43 to the Point, and back. Two other individuals were also observed in the closure and they were contacted and informed they were in violation and left.
6/2 - Based on tracks in the sand, at least eight pedestrians entered the west end of the South Beach pre-nesting closure over the holiday weekend.
Ocracoke District:
5/30 - Documented 2 sets of bare footprints during turtle patrol. Footprints suggested that someone landed a small boat on the inlet shoreline inside the pre-nesting closure.
5/30 – Documented three sets of bare footprints parallel to dune line on North Ocracoke Spit.
Deliberate Violations:
Hatteras District:
5/30 - At Ramp 45 resource staff documented 34 broken/pulled signs. Some signs were burned along with a barricade that had been placed at the intersection of Salt Pond Road and Ramp 45 in two fire pits. Ramp 45 was closed to all entry because of the deliberate violation.
Cape Hatteras National Seashore
Resource Management Field Summary for May 20 – May 26, 2010
(Bodie, Hatteras and Ocracoke Districts)
Piping Plover (PIPL) Observations:
|
Observations |
Thurs 5/20 |
Fri 5/21 |
Sat 5/22 |
Sun 5/23 |
Mon 5/24 |
Tues 5/25 |
Weds 5/26 |
|
Oregon Inlet |
2 |
0 |
1 |
1 |
0 |
2 |
0 |
|
Cape Point1 |
3 |
2 |
2 |
7 |
3 |
3 |
1 |
|
South Beach |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
|
Hatteras Inlet |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Hatteras Overwash |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
N. Ocracoke |
1 |
2 |
1 |
2 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
S. Ocracoke |
2 |
2 |
2 |
1 |
2 |
2 |
2 |
1 Does not include chick totals.
Bodie District:
Bodie Island: PIPLs have been observed this week. No breeding activity was observed.
Hatteras District:
Cape Point: Up to seven PIPLs have been observed at one time. Six broods have 20 chicks.
South Beach: A lone PIPL was observed on 5/23 and 5/24.
Hatteras Overwash/Hatteras Inlet: No PIPL have been observed.
Other Beaches: No PIPL have been observed.
Ocracoke District:
North Ocracoke: Up to 2 PIPLs have been observed foraging and/or roosting on the ocean and inlet shorelines. On 5/20 a PIPL was observed scraping in the shell beds within colonial waterbird colony 2A.
South Point: Up to 2 PIPLs have been observed along the inlet and oceanside shorelines, as well as within the mudflats. Four pairs have had documented nests. Two pairs have 4 egg nests. The third pair lost its 3-egg re-nest on 5/26 due to high surf and flooding of South Point. The forth pair lost its previous nest and has not re-nested. In addition, there is one 3-egg Wilson’s plover nest. In total, there are two active PIPL nests and one active WIPL nest.
PIPL Breeding Summary:
|
Total Nests to Date |
Active Nests |
Total Nests Hatched |
Total Nests Lost |
Total Eggs Hatched |
Unfledged Chicks |
Lost Chicks |
Fledged Chicks |
|
11 |
2 |
6 |
3 |
21 |
20 |
1 |
0 |
Nest Summary/Expected hatch dates:
Nest/Brood 1 - Cape Point. Four chicks hatched on 5/13. The four chicks are 14 days old and should fledge sometime after 6/9.
Nest/Brood 2 - Cape Point. Two chicks hatched on 5/14 and are 13 days old and should fledge sometime after 6/10.
Nest 3 - Cape Point. Three chicks hatched on 5/21 and are six days old and should fledge sometime after 6/17.
Nest 4 - Cape Point. Four chicks hatched on 5/21 and are six days old and should fledge sometime after 6/17.
Nest 5 - Cape Point. Four chicks hatched on 5/24 and are three days old and should fledge sometime after 6/20.
Nest 6 - Cape Point. Four chicks hatched on 5/21, one was lost on 5/22 and the three remaining chicks are six days old, and should fledge sometime after 6/17.
Nest 7 - South Point. Lost on 5/2.
Nest 8 - South Point. Lost on 5/5.
Nest 9 - South Point. This nest was discovered as a one-egg nest on 5/4, exclosed as a three-egg nest on 5/8, and was a four egg nest on 5/12. Hatching should occur on or near 6/3.
Nest 10 - South Point. This nest was discovered as a three-egg nest on 5/16 and exclosed the same day. The nest was still a three egg nest as of 5/25. This nest was most likely a re-nest from pair #7, which laid Nest 7 on South Point. This nest was lost to storm overwash and flooding on 5/26.
Nest 11 - South Point. This nest was discovered as a three-egg nest on 5/16 and exclosed the same day. The nest became a four-egg nest on 5/17. Hatching should occur on or near 6/11.
WIPL Update:
WIPLs have been observed on a regular basis on South Point Ocracoke within the pre-nesting closure. One nest, found as a 1 egg nest on 5/10, has been confirmed as a WIPL nest. The nest is currently a 3 egg nest.
American Oystercatchers (AMOY): Pairs continue to be observed on scrape territories in all districts.
|
Location |
Total Nests to Date |
Active Nests |
Nests Hatched |
Nests Lost |
Total Chicks Hatched |
Unfledged Chicks |
Chicks Lost |
Fledged Chicks |
|
Green Island |
3 |
2 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Bodie District |
2 |
1 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Bodie/Hatteras District |
4 |
0 |
31 |
1 |
6 |
6 |
0 |
0 |
|
Hatteras District |
11 |
4 |
62 |
13 |
15 |
13 |
2 |
0 |
|
Ocracoke District |
4 |
1 |
2 |
1 |
3 |
1 |
2 |
0 |
|
CAHA TOTALS |
24 |
8 |
11 |
5 |
24 |
20 |
4 |
0 |
1Partial hatch. As of 5/26 one of two eggs had hatched.
2One nest with one chick and two eggs was lost.
3A single-egg nest was abandoned and depredated by a great black-backed gull.
2010 AMOY Breeding Pairs: Twenty-two confirmed breeding pairs of AMOYs have been documented this year. Four “potential” pairs, for which scraping and breeding was observed, continue to be monitored although the potential for nesting has diminished. Infrequent observations of single birds in one of the “potential” pairs territories leads us to believe they may be nesting soundside or on an offshore island.
Bodie District:
- Green Island: Two breeding pairs have nests (both three-eggs).
- Bodie Island: A one-egg AMOY nest is being incubated. This nest is a clutch continuation and the first two eggs laid in different locations have been lost.
- Bodie/Hatteras District (Rodanthe to Ramp 30): One breeding pair has a nest (one chick and one egg). One pair has lost its one egg nest on 5/20. One pair has three chicks that hatched on 5/15 and 5/16. One pair has two chicks that hatched on 5/22.
Hatteras District: Four breeding pairs have four three-egg nests. Six nests have hatched and two chicks have been lost. One nest was abandoned and subsequently depredated.
Ocracoke District:
- North Ocracoke: One pair is incubating a three-egg nest. This nest should hatch on or near 5/28.
- Other Beaches (Ramp 59-Ramp 72): The northern most pair hatched one chick on 5/25. The second and third eggs were lost. A second AMOY pair has documented breeding behavior, but no nest. The third pair hatched two chicks from a three-egg nest on 5/17. The third egg was pipped but never hatched. These two chicks were lost on or just prior to 5/21 to an unknown cause.
- South Point: Two pairs of AMOYs are occupying the area south of Ramp 72. One pair is scraping on the east side of the pre-nesting closure and the sound-side spit. The other pair had lost two eggs due to weather (one on 4/29 and another on 5/2), but was incubating a two egg nest (clutch-continuation) on the east side of South Point. This two-egg nest was lost in the high surf and flooding of South Point on 5/26.
Colonial Waterbirds (CWB):
Bodie District:
Colony BIC01- 0.8 mi S of Ramp 4 active with LETE nests and scrapes.
Green Island:
Colony GIC01- N, W, and S end of Green Island active with COTE nests and scrapes, and BLSK scrapes.
Bodie Hatteras District:
Colony BHC01- 0.3 mi N of Ramp 23 to 0.3 mi S of Ramp 23 active with LETE scrapes.
Colony BHC02- 0.2 mi S of Ramp 27 active with LETE nests and scrapes.
Colony BHC03- 2.7 mi N of Ramp 27 active with LETE scrapes.
Colony BHC04- 0.1 mi N of Ramp 27 area abandoned, closure removed 5/25.
Colony BHC05- 1.0 mi N of Ramp 27 area abandoned, closure removed 5/25.
Hatteras District:
Colony HIC01 - 1.5 mi S of Ramp 38 to 2.4 mi S of Ramp 38 active with LETE nests and scrapes.
Colony HIC02 - 0.6 mi W of Ramp 45 active with LETE nests and scrapes.
Colony HIC03 - 0.1 mi W of Ramp 45 active with a LETE nest.
Colony HIC04 - 0.1 mi E of Salt Pond Ramp active with LETE nests.
Ocracoke District:
Colony OIC01- 0.9 mi S of Ramp 72 active with LETE, COTE, and BLSK nests and scrapes as of 5/25. Area heavily impacted by high surf and flooding on 5/26. It is unknown how many nests remain.
Colony OIC02- 0.1 mi N of Ramp 59 active with LETE nests.
Colony OIC02-A- 0.8 mi N of Ramp 59 active with LETE, COTE, and BLSK nests and scrapes.
Sea turtle nests: None
Sea Turtle Strandings:
Bodie District:
- None this week
Hatteras District:
- None this week.
Ocracoke District:
- 5/20 – A severely decomposed female loggerhead sea turtle was found dead 1.7 mi S of Ramp 59.
- 5/24 – A severely decomposed loggerhead sea turtle was found dead 0.7 mi N of Ramp 59.
Marine Mammals:
Bodie District:
- 5/25- A live pygmy sperm whale was discovered 0.2 mi S of Ramp 1. The animal was euthanized under guidance from NOAA and in consultation with NC State Vet School. A full necropsy was conducted by NPS and UNCW. Findings included a very high parasite load and a heart deformation.
Hatteras District:
- None this week.
Ocracoke District:
- None this week.
Closures – additions/modifications/removals:
|
Closure # |
Location |
Species |
Date Installed or Removed |
|
Bodie District |
|
|
|
|
BH10-002-B |
0.7 mi N of Ramp 30 |
AMOY |
5/20/2010 |
|
BH10-005-R |
0.07 mi N of Ramp 27 |
LETE |
5/25/2010-removed |
|
BH10-006-R |
1.0 mi N of Ramp 27 |
LETE |
5/25/2010-removed |
|
BI10-002-R |
N side of Bait Pond under bridge. |
AMOY |
5/25/2010-removed |
|
Hatteras District |
|
|
|
|
HI10-004-D |
Hatteras Inlet Spit |
AMOY |
5/19/2010 |
|
HI10-005-C |
Between Ramp 43 & Ramp 44 |
AMOY |
5/21/2010 |
|
HI10-001-E |
Cape Point |
AMOY, PIPL |
5/25/2010 |
|
HI10-005-R |
Between Ramp 43 & Ramp 44 |
AMOY |
5/25/2010-removed |
|
Ocracoke District |
|
|
|
|
OI10-003-C |
0.4 mi N. of Ramp 70 |
AMOY |
5/22/2010 |
Closure intrusions:
Bodie District:
5/20- High tide had taken out carsonite signs 0.1 mi N R23, multiple pedestrians observed near tide line, signs were replaced and individuals were escorted out of the closure.
5/23- Three sets of footprints and one set of dog tracks observed within the LETE closure at R23.
5/23- Three pedestrians were inside the closure 0.1 mi N R23; individuals were escorted out of the closure.
Hatteras District:
None observed this week.
Ocracoke District:
None observed this week.
