National Park Service Beach Access Report for June 3, 2010
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 3, 2010
CONTACT: 252-473-2111, ext. 148
Cape Hatteras National Seashore beaches are being managed under the terms of the U.S. District Court approved consent decree. Park visitors can expect to see resource closures for breeding shorebirds in effect to varying degrees from mid-March to mid-to-late-August and sea turtle nesting closures may occur until early November. Shorebird pre-nesting closures have already been established at the inlets, Cape Point, and South Beach. As soon as subsequent breeding activity is observed, the consent decree requires that automatic, non-discretionary buffers be implemented.
As of June 3, 2010, of the constantly changing, fluctuating estimated 68 miles of ocean shoreline within Cape Hatteras National Seashore, approximately 25.3 miles of ocean shoreline is open to ORV and pedestrian access; approximately 25.8 miles of ocean shoreline is open to pedestrian only access; approximately 2.2 miles of ocean shoreline is considered “limited access” (areas that are open but may require hiking off-trail to access; and approximately 15.3 miles of ocean shoreline are temporarily closed to all public access due to shorebird resource protection areas. The latest Google Earth beach access map can be viewed at: http://www.nps.gov/caha/planyourvisit/googleearthmap.htm. For more information, check the National Seashore’s website at: http://www.nps.gov.
As of May 1, 2010, all Seashore beaches are closed to off-road vehicles between the hours of 10:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. in accordance with the court ordered consent decree. The 10:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. prohibition on beach driving will remain in effect until November 15, 2010.
The annual seasonal closures of village beaches to off-road vehicle (ORV) use within the National Seashore went into effect at 6:00 a.m. on Saturday, May 15, 2010. Beach driving speed limits are reduced to 15 mph in all locations open to ORV use, unless otherwise posted, from May 15 through September 15. The ORV closures are established in village beach areas that receive heavy pedestrian use, including areas adjacent to Coquina Beach and the villages of Hatteras and Ocracoke Islands.
The Beach Access Report is issued every Thursday throughout the breeding season and will briefly summarize the current status of access in each section of the Seashore listed below. Updated news will be reported weekly in bold, BLUE print.
Note: *All distances are approximate. The mileage is determined on a weekly basis using GIS data and is divided geographically by island this year. Closure conditions may change in the field on short notice. On-site signage, rather than the Beach Access Report or the Google Earth map, is the most accurate and current indication of what is open or closed to the public. Closed areas are clearly marked in the field with “symbolic fencing” consisting of wooden or carsonite posts, closure signs, string, and flagging tape. Knowledge of tidal changes and caution should be exercised while traveling the beaches of the park. Pets are strictly prohibited in resource protection areas. Elsewhere, pets must be physically restrained at all time on a leash not exceeding 6 feet in length. For more information, please contact: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call 252-473-2111, ext. 148.
Bodie Island (Ramp 1 to Oregon Inlet; 5.7 miles of shoreline)
Mileage Summary: 3.2 miles open to ORVs and pedestrians; 1.3 miles open to pedestrians only; 0.9 miles of limited access; 0.3 miles closed to public access due to resource closures.
Ramp 1 - Ramp 2 (Coquina Beach Area) (1.2 miles)
Status: The beach is open for pedestrian access, but not for ORV access.
Ramp 2 - Ramp 4 (2.4 miles)
Status: Ramp 2 is open for pedestrian access, but not for ORV access. From Ramp 4 north, the beach is open for ORV and pedestrian access for approximately 2.4 miles.
Ramp 4 – Oregon Inlet (Bodie Island Spit: 2.1 miles)
Status: The beach is open for ORV and pedestrian access 0.9 of a mile south of Ramp 4, where a resource protection area precludes through access to the inlet.
Hatteras Island (Village of Rodanthe south to Hatteras Inlet; 42.8 miles of shoreline)
Mileage Summary: 15.8 miles open to ORVs and pedestrians; 17.4 miles open to pedestrians only; 1.0 miles of limited access miles; 8.6 miles closed to public access due to resource closures.
Villages of Rodanthe, Waves, and Salvo - Ramp 23: (Pea Island NWR boundary to Ramp 23 – 5.3 miles)
Status: The beach is open for pedestrian access, but not for ORV access in front of the villages of Rodanthe, Waves, and Salvo. There is pedestrian access for 5.3 miles.
Ramp 23 - Ramp 27: (4.3 miles)
Status: Ramp 23 is closed to ORV and pedestrian access. A resource closure extends from the Salvo Village boundary south of Ramp 23 and precludes ORV and pedestrian access. There is approximately 2.7 miles of ocean shoreline open for ORV and pedestrian access north of Ramp 27.
Ramp 27 - Ramp 30: (2.0 miles)
Status: The beach is open to ORV and pedestrian access at Ramp 27. There is a resource protection 0.08 of a mile south of Ramp 27 that precludes through access for ORVs and pedestrians. The beach is open for ORV and pedestrian access for approximately 0.6 of a mile north of Ramp 30.
Ramp 30 - Ramp 34: (4.3 miles)
Status: The beach is open for ORV and pedestrian access for 0.8 of a mile south of Ramp 30 and for approximately 3.3 miles north of Ramp 34. A resource protection closure precludes through access from Ramp 30 to Ramp 34.
Ramp 34 - Ramp 38: (3.9 miles)
Status: The beach is open for ORV access for approximately 0.4 of a mile south of Ramp 34. The beach in front of Avon Village is open for pedestrian access, but not for ORV access. There is pedestrian access for 3.9 miles.
Ramp 38 - Ramp 43: (6.0 miles; includes the Haulover soundside & Buxton Village)
Status: The beach is open to ORV and pedestrian access for 0.8 of a mile south of Ramp 38, where a resource protection closure precludes through access. There is pedestrian access for approximately 1.0 mile north of the Buxton Village boundary. From Ramp 43 north, the beach is open to ORV and pedestrian access for 0.4 of a mile.
Ramp 43 - Ramp 44: (0.4 of a mile)
Status: The beach is open for ORV access for approximately 0.2 of a mile south of Ramp 43. There is pedestrian access for approximately 0.4 of a mile south of Ramp 43.
Ramp 44 - Ramp 45: (Ramp 44 to tip of Cape Point: 1.0 miles; Cape Point tip to Ramp 45: 1.4 miles)
Status: Ramp 44 and access to Cape Point are temporarily closed to ORV access. There is pedestrian access from Ramp 44 south for approximately 140 meters. There is no ORV or pedestrian access to the “hook”, which is temporarily closed. Salt Pond Road is closed.
Ramp 45 - Ramp 49: (South Beach: 3.4 miles)
Status: Ramp 45 is closed to ORV and pedestrian access. There is ORV and pedestrian access east of Ramp 49 for 2.0 miles.
Ramp 49 - Ramp 55: (5.9 miles; includes Frisco and Hatteras Village)
Status: The beach is open to ORV and pedestrian use north of Ramp 49 and south of Ramp 49 for 1.2 miles to the Frisco Village line. There is pedestrian, but not ORV, access from the Frisco village line to 0.1 of a mile east of Ramp 55. In Sandy Bay Day Use area, a resource protection closure precludes access of approximately 0.5 of a mile of sound-side pedestrian access adjacent to NC 12.
Ramp 55 - Hatteras Inlet: (Hatteras Inlet Spit: 2.6 miles)
Status: ORV and pedestrian access is open along the ocean shoreline from Ramp 55 south/west for 1.9 miles. The Pole Road is open to ORV and pedestrians from Ramp 55 to the north end of the Isabel overwash area where traffic is routed onto the beach due to a pre-nesting protection area. Cable Crossing area is open for pedestrian sound shoreline access via boat. The Spur Road is closed. There is currently no ORV or pedestrian access to the inlet.
Ocracoke Island (19.9 miles of shoreline)
Mileage Summary: 6.3 miles open to ORVs and pedestrians; 7.1 miles open to pedestrians only; 0.2 limited access miles; 6.3 miles closed to public access due to resource closures.
Hatteras Inlet (North Ocracoke Spit) to Ramp 59: (1.3 miles)
Status: Ramp 59 is open to ORV and pedestrian access. There is ORV access approximately 0.1 of a mile north of Ramp 59 and 0.9 of a mile south of Ramp 59. A resource protection closure precludes access for ORV and pedestrians to the north end and the inlet.
Ramp 59 - Ramp 67: (7.8 miles)
Status: The beach is open for ORV and pedestrian access for 0.9 mile south of Ramp 59 and for approximately 1.6 of a mile north and south of Ramp 67. There is no through ORV access between these two ramps.
Ramp 67 - Ramp 70 (includes Ramp 68): (3.8 miles; includes Ramp 68)
Status: The beach is open for ORV and pedestrian access for 0.6 of a mile south of Ramp 67. A resource protection closure was removed in this area which opened 1.1 miles of ORV access. A resource protection area located 0.6 of a mile south of Ramp 68 precludes through access for ORV and pedestrians to Ramp 70. The beach in front of the Ocracoke Campground and the Ocracoke Day Use area is open for pedestrian access, but not for ORV access.
Ramp 70 - Ramp 72: (1.8 miles)
Status: The beach is open to ORV and pedestrian access.
Ramp 72 to South Point: (2.6 miles)
Status: The beach is open to ORV and pedestrian access on the ocean shoreline for approximately 0.4 of a mile south of Ramp 72. A resource protection closure precludes through access for ORV and pedestrians to the inlet.
Temporary resource protection areas are necessary to protect threatened and endangered species and species of concern including piping plovers, American oystercatchers, colonial waterbirds (3 species of terns and black skimmers), and sea turtles. Posted areas are closed to vehicles, pedestrians, and pets.
-NPS-
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.
