Ocracoke’s seldom seen but much esteemed Atlantic ribbed mussels
By Pat Garber
Hidden among the roots and stems of Spartina Alterniflora (cordgrass) in Ocracoke's marshes live clusters of a little-known bivalve.
Atlantic ribbed mussels (Gaukensia...
Loggerheads and other nesters do well with a little help from...
This story has been updated
By Peter Vankevich
As the 2021 sea turtle nesting season winds down, it turns out to be a very good year...
Replanting the island to save Ocracoke for the future
By Pat Garber
When Hurricane Dorian devastated Ocracoke, flooding houses and cars and destroying yards, the number of trees that uprooted and broke was mind-boggling.
The...
The weary diamondback terrapin’s latest foe: Phragmites
throughout much of the Outer Banks, faces another foe: Phragmites
Rare queen butterfly visits the Ocracoke Observer
By Peter Vankevich
The Ocracoke Observer newsroom has received its share of interesting visitors. Located on a dirt road near the lighthouse, it overlooks one...
Be on the lookout for cold-stunned turtles this winter
The ocean and sound waters surrounding the Outer Banks play host to wintering sea turtles, especially young green turtles and Kemp’s ridley. Sea turtles...
Cold-stunned sea turtles rescued on Ocracoke
By Peter Vankevich
Jan. 27, 2020
The recent cold weather affected many sea turtles that are still in the waters surrounding the Outer Banks.
The Island Free...
Beach bird nesters have bad year, sea turtles faring well
An Oystercatcher parent and chick feed along Ocracoke beach. Photo by Amy Thompson
Peter Vankevich
The downward spiral in the spring nesting season on...
An island home companion
Ocracoke does not have many nesting warbler species. One of these is the Prairie Warbler, an early arrival. Males, like the one above, are...
Sea turtles have another banner nesting year but beware of the...
By Peter Vankevich
In the dark hours of May 4, a loggerhead sea turtle ventured out of her expansive ocean home and crawled onto the...