By Ash Keiper-Kintz, Biological Science Technician at Cape Hatteras National Seashore The Battle When you look out over the saltmarsh at South Point Road on Ocracoke Island, you may think it looks calm and peaceful. But in reality, the...
Science in Our Parks: Treating Invasive Plants
Invasive Plant Profile: "The Mighty Phrag" (Common Reed, Phragmites australis) By Megan Baker, Biological Science Technician at Cape Hatteras National Seashore What is Phragmites (Common Reed)? Common Reed (Phragmites australis), or simply Phragmites, is a...
Science in Our Parks: Treating Invasive Plants
Invasive Plant Profile: Thorny Olive (Elaeagnus pungens) By Michael Gosselin, Biological Science Technician at Cape Hatteras National Seashore What is it? Thorny Olive is a fast-growing, evergreen shrub that is native to Asia. It was introduced in...
Monitoring Recreational Water Quality
By Michael Flynn, Physical Scientist at Cape Hatteras National Seashore The Cape Hatteras National Seashore (Seashore) is situated between two major water bodies – the Atlantic Ocean and the Pamlico Sound – which provides a wide variety of water based recreational...
Sea Turtle Scoop 2023
Did you know that biological science technicians at Cape Hatteras National Seashore carefully track, learn from, and protect hundreds of sea turtle nests each summer? While human visitors flocked to the Seashore this summer, more than 370 sea turtles also made their...
Ask A BioTech: Flippers or Feet?
By Ash Keiper-Kintz, Biological Science Technician at Cape Hatteras National Seashore So, you’ve come across a turtle while visiting the beach, that means it’s a sea turtle, right? Not necessarily! Sea turtles aren’t the only turtles that enjoy the beach, they...
Ask A BioTech: All About Shorebird Protections
By Abby Burke, Biological Science Technician at Cape Hatteras National Seashore Why are sections of the beach closed for shorebirds? This is by far one of the most common questions we get as bio techs. The answer lies in shorebird nesting strategies and...
Sea Turtle Migration: Moms on the Move!
Sea Turtle Migration: Moms on the Move! By Jessica Stuczynski, Biological Science Technician May 1 kicked off the sea turtle nesting season at Cape Hatteras National Seashore (Seashore)! Every morning, biological technicians hit the beach to survey and document new...
Sea Turtle Scoop: Your Look Inside the 2022 Sea Turtle Nesting Season at Cape Hatteras!
Did you know that biological science technicians at Cape Hatteras National Seashore carefully track, learn from and protect hundreds of sea turtle nests each summer? While human visitors flocked to the Seashore this summer, over 378 sea turtles also made their way...
Ask A BioTech: Why Excavate Sea Turtle Nests?
By Ben Ranelli, Seasonal Biological Technician on Ocracoke Island As a biotech, there is hardly a more rewarding sight than a swell of sea turtle hatchling tracks left behind from their oceanward journey. Knowing the effort to protect their nests has given each...