Published: 11 June 2010

Cape Hatteras National Seashore

Resource Management Field Summary for May June 3 – June 9, 2010 

(Bodie, Hatteras and Ocracoke Districts)

 

Piping Plover (PIPL) Observations:

 

Observations	Thurs 6/3	Fri 6/4	Sat 6/5	Sun 6/6	Mon 6/7	Tues 6/8	Weds 6/9
Oregon Inlet	1	0	1	1	1	0	1
Cape Point1	3	1	1	2	1	1	1
South Beach	0	0	1	2	0	1	2
Hatteras Inlet	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Hatteras Overwash	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
N. Ocracoke	1	1	2	1	2	1	1
S. Ocracoke	2	2	2	6	3	2	1

^{1          Does not include chick totals.}

 

Bodie District:

            Bodie Island:  One lone PIPL is being observed and scrapes have been found.

 

Hatteras District:

            Cape Point:  Up to three PIPLs have been observed at one time.  Five broods have 15 chicks of which six have fledged.  Six chicks have been lost to unknown causes.

                                                                                                                       

            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.  There is one active three-egg PIPL nest on North Ocracoke.

           

South Point:  Up to 6 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 of which is a re-nest found 6/3.  The other nest is due to hatch on or near 6/11.  A third pair hatched three chicks on June 5-6, but all chicks were lost by the morning of 6/7 to unknown predation (most likely ghost crab or avian).  The fourth egg from this nest has been abandoned.  There are currently two active PIPL nests on 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
13	3	7	3	24	9	9	6

 

Nest Summary/Expected hatch dates:

Nest/Brood 1 - Cape Point.  Four chicks hatched on 5/13.  Four chicks fledged 6/8.

Nest/Brood 2 - Cape Point.  Two chicks hatched on 5/14.  One chick fledged 6/3, and the other chick fledged 6/9.

Nest/Brood 3 & 5 - Cape Point.  Three chicks hatched on 5/21.  One chick was lost on 5/28 and another on 6/6.  The one remaining chick from Brood 3 is 20 days old and should fledge sometime after 6/17.  The two adopted chicks from Brood 5 are 17 days old and should fledge sometime around 6/20.

Nest 4 - Cape Point.  Four chicks hatched on 5/21 and are 20 days old and should fledge sometime around 6/17.

Nest 5 - Cape Point.  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 two remaining chicks are 20 days old, and should fledge sometime around 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, and hatched three chicks 6/5 - 6/6.  All three chicks were lost to unknown predation (probably ghost crab or avian) on 6/7.  The fourth egg from this nest was abandoned by 6/8. 

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.

Nest 13 – South Point.  This nest was discovered at a one-egg nest on 6/3 and exclosed as a three-egg nest on 6/7.  This nest is believed to be a re-nest from pair #7, which lost Nest 7 on 5/2 and Nest 10 on 5/26.  Hatching should occur on or near 7/3.

 

WIPL Update:

 

WIPLs have been observed on a regular basis on South Point (Ocracoke) within the pre-nesting closure.  A three egg nest, found as a 1 egg nest on 5/10, continues to be incubated.  This nest was due to hatch on or near 6/6.

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	1	1	1	3	3	0	0
Bodie District	2	1	0	1	0	0	0	0
Bodie/Hatteras District	4	0	3	1	7	4	3	0
Hatteras District	12	1	8	3	20	18	2	0
Ocracoke District	5	1	3	1	6	4	2	0
CAHA TOTALS	26	4	15	7	36	29	7	0

 

2010 AMOY Breeding Pairs: Twenty-three confirmed breeding pairs of AMOYs have been documented this year. 

 

Bodie District:

• Green Island:  One breeding pair has a three egg nest.  Another breeding pair has three chicks.
• Bodie Island:  A one-egg AMOY nest is being incubated. 
• 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 lost both of their chicks.  A third pair has lost one of their two chicks. 

 

Hatteras District:  One breeding pair has a three-egg re-nest, another breeding pair which abandoned a nest (two undeveloped eggs and one lost to unknown predation) on 6/6 is scraping and has been observed copulating.  A third pair, which lost a nest to raccoon predation on 6/6, has not been observed.  Eight nests have hatched and two chicks have been lost.  There are currently seven broods (four with three chicks and three with two chicks) of AMOY chicks.  The oldest brood was banded on 6/5 at 25 days old.

 

Ocracoke District:  

• North Ocracoke:  One pair has three chicks.
• Other Beaches (Ramp 59-Ramp 72):  The northern-most pair has one chick.  A second pair is incubating a three-egg re-nest after losing two chicks.
• South Point:  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.  New scrapes have been observed for this pair, although it appears as though they may be spending time on an in-shore island.

 

 

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 scrapes and nests.

 

Bodie Hatteras District:

Colony BHC01- 0.3 mi N of Ramp 23 to 0.3 mi S of Ramp 23 active with LETE scrapes and nests.

Colony BHC02- 0.2 mi S of Ramp 27 active with LETE scrapes, nests, and chicks.

Colony BHC03- 2.7 mi N of Ramp 27 active with LETE scrapes, nests, and chicks.

 

Hatteras District:  

Colony HIC01 - 1.5 mi S of Ramp 38 to 2.4 mi S of Ramp 38 active with LETE nests and chicks.

Colony HIC02 - 0.1 mi W of Ramp 45 active with LETE nests and chicks.

Colony HIC03 - 0.1 mi E of Salt Pond Ramp active with LETE nests and chicks.

 

Ocracoke District:  

Colony OIC01- 0.9 mi S of Ramp 72 active with a few LETE scrapes and nests.

Colony OIC02- 0.1 mi N of Ramp 59 active with LETE and COTE nests and chicks.

Colony OIC02-A- 0.8 mi N of Ramp 59 active with LETE, COTE, and BLSK nests as well as LETE and COTE chicks.

 

Sea Turtle Nests (New Nests this Week):

Bodie District Nests:

None this week

 

Bodie District False Crawls:

None this week

 

Bodie Hatteras District Nests:

None this week

 

Bodie Hatteras District False Crawls:

None this week

 

Hatteras District Nests:

6/5 – A loggerhead sea turtle nest was found just E of Ramp 49.

6/7 – A loggerhead sea turtle nest was found in Buxton Village at the end of Cottage Ave.¹

6/9 – A loggerhead sea turtle nest was found 0.9 mi S of Ramp 30.

 

Hatteras District False Crawls:

6/4 – A loggerhead sea turtle false crawl was found 0.3 mi SW of Ramp 55.

6/4 – A loggerhead sea turtle false crawl was found 1.4 mi SW of Ramp 55.

6/5 – A loggerhead sea turtle false crawl was found in front of Ramp 45.

6/5 – A loggerhead sea turtle false crawl was found 1.7 mi SW of Ramp 45.

6/9 – A loggerhead sea turtle false crawl was found 0.1 mi NE of Ramp 49.

 

Ocracoke District Nests:

6/4 – A loggerhead sea turtle nest was found 0.3 mi SW of Ramp 59.

6/6 – A loggerhead sea turtle nest was found 0.5 mi SW of Ramp 72.  

6/7 – A loggerhead sea turtle nest was found 1.0 mi NE of Ramp 70.

 

Ocracoke District False Crawl:

6/5 – A loggerhead sea turtle false crawl was found in front of Ramp 67.

 

New nests this week: 6

Total nests to date: 8

New false crawls this week: 6

Total false crawls to date: 6

 

1. On the morning of 6/7, turtle patrol noticed a loggerhead sea turtle crawl and discovered that a sea turtle, while attempting to nest, became disoriented, encountered a sand fence then deposited her eggs at the edge of the sand fence. After nesting, the sea turtle took a circuitous route through the neighborhood by traveling further away from the ocean, under one of the support beams of the nearby house, back along the side of a house, down a driveway and west on Cottage Ave for approximately ~150 meters before turning around and crawling back the length of the road to a pedestrian walk-over at the end of the road and back into the ocean.  Please remember to turn off unneeded outside lighting that faces the beach front during turtle nesting season!

 

           

 

Sea Turtle Strandings:

 

Bodie District:

• 6/7- A fresh loggerhead sea turtle was found dead 0.1 mi S of Rodanthe Pier.

 

Hatteras District:

• 6/4 - A severely decomposed female loggerhead sea turtle was found dead 0.7 miles S of Friso Pier

Ocracoke District:

None this week

 

Marine Mammals:

 

Bodie District:

• None this week.

 

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-F (Deliberate Violation)	0.9 mi S of Ramp 4	LETE	6/7/2010
BH10-001-E	Less than .1 mi S of R 27	LETE	6/7/2010
BH10-004-C	2.7 mi N of Ramp 27	LETE	6/9/2010
Hatteras District
HI10-010-C	1.0 mi S of R 38	LETE	6/7/2010
HI10-007-E	1.0 mi N of Buxton	LETE	6/7/2010
HI10-007-F	1.0 mi N of Buxton	LETE	6/8/2010
HI10-001-G (Deliberate Violation)	Cape Point – R44	PIPL	6/9/2010
HI10-002-K (Deliberate Violation)	South Beach- 1.9 E R49	LETE, AMOY	6/9/2010
Ocracoke District
None this week

 

Closure intrusions:

 

Bodie District:

6/3- The rope that connects two carsonites to the bird signs on the northern buffer, just south of Ramp 27 was missing. 

6/3- Footprints leading from the dunes to the beach were found in the LETE closure 0.1 mi S Ramp 23.

6/3- Two sets of footprints were found near the surf, leading from the northern buffer 0.3 mi N Ramp 23.  Another pedestrian walked into the closure while staff was documenting the footprints and was asked to leave the closure.

6/4- One pedestrian was observed walking through the closure 0.3 mi N of Ramp 23

6/5- One set of footprints entered the north end of the closure 0.1 mi S of Ramp 27. The footprints went ~300 meters into the closure.

6/6- Two pedestrians walked over Ramp 23 to the beach and were asked to exit the closure.

6/6- At low tide a pedestrian walked along the beach into the closure 0.3 mi N of Ramp 23 and was asked to exit. 

6/7- Four sets of footprints and one set of dog prints entered the closure 0.3 mile north of Ramp 23 near the water. Two sets of footprints went through the entire closure. Two sets of footprints and the dog prints entered the north end of the closure and went south into the closure about 50 meters.

 

Hatteras District:

6/3- Two sets of footprints were discovered in the Hatteras Inlet pre-nesting closure. 

6/6- Three people from the campground were observed inside the closure at Ramp 45. They exited the closure after being informed of the violation.

6/7 – Five people entered the Cape Point Closure from Ramp 44, observed RM staff monitoring PIPLs and immediately turned around and left. Once out of the closure, one of the individuals made a “gesture” to the staff. Law enforcement made contact.

 

Ocracoke District:

6/ 3 – One pedestrian fishing the northern most point on north Ocracoke Island within pre-nest closure in the inter-tidal zone. Visitor had walked from the ferry beach below the signage to get to the spit. Visitor became agitated and confrontational but did leave the closure.

6/4 – Observed one set of bare footprints within the north Ocracoke pre-nesting closure on the east side (north of Ramp 59)

6/9 – One pedestrian found walking through colonial waterbird colony 2A on North Ocracoke. Visitor was approached and guided out of the colony. Visitor had apparently walked under the signs and string at the ferry beach. No resource damage was observed. Law enforcement made contact.

 

Deliberate Violations:

 

Bodie District:

6/6- Four signs were removed from the north end of the closure 0.8 mile south of Ramp 4.  Two of the signs were broken. One set of bare footprints entered the closure and continued for about 15m. LE was contacted.

 

Hatteras District:

6/9- A vehicle drove from Ramp 49 through the South Beach pre-nesting closure and Cape Point pre-nesting closure to Ramp 43. At Ramp 45, bare footprints were observed where the perpetrators untied a rope that blocked the way. LE was contacted and evidence was observed and collected at the Point where the perpetrators had stopped to urinate. Both the north side of Cape Point at R44 and the west end of the South Beach pre-nesting closure were expanded by 50 meters.

Published: 03 June 2010

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.

Published: 27 May 2010

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.

 

Published: 20 May 2010

Cape Hatteras National Seashore

Resource Management Field Summary for May 13 – May 19, 2010 

(Bodie, Hatteras and Ocracoke Districts)

 

Piping Plover (PIPL) Observations:

 

Observations	Thurs 5/13	Fri 5/14	Sat 5/15	Sun 5/16	Mon 5/17	Tues 5/18	Weds 5/19
Oregon Inlet	1	0	2	1	0	0	0
Cape Point1	1	2	6	6	4	3	2
South Beach	0	0	1	0	0	0	0
Hatteras Inlet	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Hatteras Overwash	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
N. Ocracoke	2	2	2	2	1	1	1
S. Ocracoke	2	2	1	2	2	1	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 6 adult PIPLs have been observed at one time.  Four pairs have nests and two nests have hatched.

                                                                                                                       

            South Beach:  There was just a single observation of a PIPL this week

 

            Hatteras Overwash/Hatteras Inlet: No PIPL have been observed.

 

Other Beaches:  One PIPL has been observed foraging at the ponds near Ramp 43.

                                                                                                       

Ocracoke District:  

            North Ocracoke:  Up to 2 PIPLs have been observed foraging and/or roosting. Throughout the week PIPLs were observed on the oceanside and inlet shorelines, all within closures.

           

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, and one has a 3 egg nest. The forth pair lost its previous nest and has not re-nested. The nest that was found last week has been confirmed as a Wilson’s plover nest. In total, there are three 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	7	2	2	6	6	0	0

 

Nest Summary/Expected hatch dates:

Nest/Brood 1 - Cape Point. Four chicks hatched on 5/13. The four chicks are seven days old and should fledge sometime after 6/9.

Nest/Brood 2 - Cape Point.  Two chicks hatched on 5/14 and are six days old and should fledge sometime after 6/10.

Nest 3 - Cape Point.  This nest was discovered as a two-egg nest on 4/22, exclosed as a three-egg nest on 4/24, and was a four-egg nest on 4/27.  Hatching should occur on or near 5/20.

Nest 4 - Cape Point.  This nest was discovered as a two-egg nest on 4/22, exclosed as a three-egg nest on 4/24, and was a four-egg nest on 4/27.  Hatching should occur on or near 5/20.

Nest 5 - Cape Point.  This nest was discovered as a one-egg nest on 4/22, exclosed as a three-egg nest on 4/28, and was a four-egg nest on 4/30.  Hatching should occur on or near 5/23.

Nest 6 - Cape Point.  This nest was discovered as a two-egg nest on 4/22, exclosed as a four-egg nest on 4/27.  Hatching should occur on or near 5/21.

Nest 7 - South Point.  This nest was discovered as a one-egg nest on 4/28.  On 5/2 the egg(s) were predated by ghost crabs. It is unknown whether the nest was a two-egg or three- egg clutch when predated.

Nest 8 - South Point.  This nest was discovered as a one-egg nest on 4/28.  Since the pair was incubating, the nest was exclosed as a two-egg nest on 5/2. One egg was predated by a ghost crab on 5/4. The one remaining egg was abandoned on 5/5 and predated by a ghost crab on 5/7.

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 is still a three egg nest as of 5/18. This nest is most likely a re-nest from pair #7, which laid Nest 7 on South Point. Hatching should occur on or before 6/11.

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.

 

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	1	0	0	1	0	0	0	0
Bodie District	2	1	0	1	0	0	0	0
Bodie/Hatteras District	4	3	1	0	3	3	0	0
Hatteras District	11	7	4	0	9	8	1	0
Ocracoke District	4	3	1	0	2	2	0	0
CAHA TOTALS	22	14	6	2	14	13	1	0

 

 

2010 AMOY Breeding Pairs: Twenty confirmed breeding pairs of AMOYs have been documented this year.  One pair has re-nested after losing its three-egg clutch.  Another one-egg nest at Cape Point, discussed below under Hatteras District, does not yet have an identified pair attributed to it.  Five “potential” pairs, for which scraping and breeding have been observed, are being closely monitored. An additional “potential” pair is on Green Island, but we have not been able to access the island since 4/30 to conduct surveys.

 

Bodie District:

• Green Island:  Surveys were not conducted this week.
• 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):  Three breeding pairs have nests (two two-egg and one one-egg).  The first two-egg nest should hatch on or near 5/21 and the second two-egg nest should hatch on or near 5/25.  One pair has three chicks that hatched on 5/15 and 5/16.

 

Hatteras District:  7 breeding pairs have nests (five three-egg, one two-egg, one one-egg) and there are at least two more pairs are on scrape territories. Four nests have hatched (10 chicks), but a two-day-old chick appears to have been lost to unknown causes after hatching. At last observation the other two eggs in the nest were past due and had not hatched and a broken egg, with an under-developed embryo, was the only evidence at the site.

A pair for the one-egg nest has not been determined. An unbanded bird which was observed at the nest on 5/17 hasn’t returned and a banded bird, which has a three-egg nest with another banded bird, was observed on the nest. No birds were observed near the nest on the 5/19.

 

 

Ocracoke District:  

• North Ocracoke: One pair is incubating a three-egg nest.
• Other Beaches (Ramp 59-Ramp 72): One breeding pair has three-egg nest.  Another 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.
• 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. The other pair had lost two eggs due to weather (one on 4/29 and another on 5/2), but now is incubating a two egg nest (clutch-continuation) on the east side of South Point.

 

Colonial Waterbirds (CWB):

            Bodie District:  

Colony BIC01- 0.8 mi S of Ramp 4 active with LETE nests and 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 LETE in area, last scrapes observed on 5/11.

Colony BHC05- 1.0 mi N of Ramp 27 LETE have not been observed in area since 5/14.

Hatteras District:  

Colony HIC01 - 1.5 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 and scrapes

 

Ocracoke District:  

Colony OIC01- 0.9 mi S of Ramp 72 active with LETE, COTE, and BLSK nests and scrapes.

Colony OIC02- 0.1 mi N of Ramp 59 active with LETE scrapes.

Colony OIC02-A- 0.8 mi N of Ramp 59 active with LETE scrapes.

 

Sea turtle nests: None

 

Sea Turtle Strandings:

 

Bodie District:

• 5/14- A dead, moderately decomposed, female loggerhead sea turtle was found .1 mile N of Ramp 30.
• 5/17- A dead, moderately decomposed, loggerhead sea turtle was found .1 mile S of Ramp 23.

 

Hatteras District:

• 5/17 ‑ A dead, moderately decomposed, female loggerhead sea turtle was found .1 mi S of R45.

 

Ocracoke District:

• None this week

 

Marine Mammals:

 

Bodie District:

•  5/14- A dead, moderately decomposed neonate dolphin was found 1.4 miles N of Ramp 30.

 

Hatteras District:

• 5/15 – NPS assisted with the response and later necropsy of a live humpback whale that stranded in Hatteras Inlet. The animal was euthanized by NC State Veterinary School under the advisement of NOAA. The animal received a full necropsy from representatives of NPS, NOAA, UNCW, NC State University, NCWRC, and the New York Riverhead Foundation.  
• 5/19 – A live bottlenose dolphin was discovered stranded at Cape Point. The male bottlenose was euthanized and transported for full necropsy.

 

Ocracoke District:

• None this week.

 

Closures – additions/modifications/removals:

 

Closure #	Location	Species	Date Installed or Removed
Bodie District
BH10-004-A	2.7 mi N of Ramp 27	LETE	5/15/2010
BH10-007	0.3 mi N of Ramp 23	LETE	5/16/2010
BI10-001-D	1.5 mi S of Ramp 4	AMOY	5/17/2010
Hatteras District
HI10-001-B	Cape Point & Ramp 44	PIPL	5/13/2010
HI10-004-C	Hatteras Inlet	AMOY	5/17/2010
HI10-001-C	Cape Point	AMOY	5/17/2010
HI10-003-C	1.1 mi S of Ramp 55	AMOY	5/19/2010
HI10-005-C	Between Ramp 43 & Ramp 44	AMOY	5/19/2010
Ocracoke District
OI10-001-E	0.3 mi N. of Ramp 59	LETE	5/17/2010

 

Closure intrusions:

 

Bodie District:

5/16- A set of dog tracks were observed within the LETE closure .1 mi N of Ramp 23, tracks were observed ~5m within closure.

5/16- Multiple sets of bare foot prints were observed, along with writing in the sand within the LETE closure 1.0 mi N of Ramp 27. Also observed was a small boat leaving the beach to a larger boat anchored off-shore.

 

Hatteras District:

5/14 – A sign was removed from the east side South Beach pre-nesting closure at Ramp 45.

5/15 – Two pedestrian were observed exiting the AMOY closure north of Buxton.

 

Ocracoke District:

None this week.