Spotted on Ocracoke: The cannonball jellyfish

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To read more Ocracoke nature articles, click here By Peter Vankevich In the last few weeks someone walking along Ocracoke’s beaches, especially at Springer’s...

Ocracoke’s frogs love a summer evening rainstorm

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By Peter Vankevich Photos by Jeff Beane After spring and summer rains on Ocracoke, the nighttime frog symphony begins. This phenomenon was noted in the May...

Ocracoke nature: Avian Triptych

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Vultures and gulls are scavengers and have a role in removing carrion from the ecosystem.  A Turkey Vulture is eating what appears to be...

An island home companion

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Ocracoke does not have many nesting warbler species. One of these is the Prairie Warbler, an early arrival. Males, like the one above, are...

Cold-stunned sea turtles rescued on Ocracoke

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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

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An Oystercatcher parent and chick feed along Ocracoke beach. Photo by Amy Thompson Peter Vankevich The downward spiral in the spring nesting season on...

Ocracoke’s seldom seen but much esteemed Atlantic ribbed mussels

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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...

Rare queen butterfly visits the Ocracoke Observer

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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...

Loggerheads and other nesters do well with a little help from...

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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...

Be on the lookout for cold-stunned turtles this winter

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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...