A recent visit to Mattamuskeet National Wildlife Refuge offered little in the way of migratory waterfowl viewing for which it’s known but did yield this glimpse of a whitetail doe through the trees. The refuge, which was established in 1934, spans some 50,000 acres, including the 40,000-acre Lake Mattamuskeet, the largest natural lake in North Carolina. Photo: Kip Tabb
Shorebirds flock to restored pond at Pine Island sanctuary
Staff at the Donal C. O’Brien, Jr. Sanctuary and Audubon Center in Corolla are crediting a recently completed habitat-restoration project with luring birds and wildlife back to a previously problem-prone pond.
Tabb’s Trails: Along the North Pond Wildlife Trail
Saturday, Oct. 18, turned out to be a remarkable day on the half-mile trail behind Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge’s visitor center, with rarely seen species and migratory waterfowl.
Historic Whalehead Club to mark centennial in October
The centennial of the 21,000-square-foot art nouveau mansion and centerpiece of Historic Corolla Park will be commemorated in October with special tours and other ticketed events.
Angry Erin heads out to sea
People on Jennette’s Pier in Nags Head watch as waves generated by Hurricane Erin crash into the concrete structure that’s part of the North Carolina Aquariums system. The storm’s center was about 260 miles east of Cape Hatteras at midday Thursday and moving out to sea, but hurricane-force winds extended outward up to 105 miles and tropical-storm-force winds extended up to 320 miles from the sprawling but weakening storm’s eye. Life-threatening surf and rip current conditions will likely continue as storm surge and flood risks subside. The pier’s website provides information on current conditions and live webcam views.
Amid backlash, Dare board retains Buxton Woods restrictions
Commissioners approved a text amendment allowing the requested construction but kept longstanding protections around the Buxton Woods Reserve on Hatteras Island.
Construction commences on Dare early college building
Officials this week marked the start of construction of a $21-$25 million structure to house the Dare County Early College on the College of the Albemarle’s Manteo campus.
Groups dedicate marker for historically Black fairgrounds
A William G. Pomeroy Foundation Hometown Heritage marker recognizing the Atlantic District Fairgrounds, founded by people of color in 1920, was dedicated last month as part of a Juneteenth celebration in Ahoskie.
Dewey Hemilright advocates for US commercial fishing fleet
Forceful and outspoken, this passionate advocate for the commercial fishing industry has spent 30 years in the business and served in fisheries management.
Tabb’s Trails: Jockey’s Ridge State Park celebrates 50 years
The 426-acre state park in Nags Head is a harsh environment but rewards with self-guided trails taking hikers through dunes, foliage and by flowering plants swarmed by pollinators.
Dare County board tables action on Buxton zone of influence
Dare County Commissioners voted Monday during its regular meeting to table any decisions on an environmental zone of influence that borders Buxton Woods Reserve for 90 days.
Senate bill pushes for prohibiting, fining for balloon releases
After lobbying, letter writing, cajoling and presentations, “one-woman crusader” Debbie Swick of Southern Shores has seen her efforts to ban balloon releases become a bipartisan-supported senate bill.
Protective zone around Buxton Woods may be unenforceable
Dare County officials are now questioning the legality of the “zone of influence” buffer district the county enacted in 1988 to protect Buxton Woods Reserve from development.
Sandy Run Park: Town trail an overlooked Outer Banks gem
Tabb’s Trails: In our new photo-essay series, coastal reporter, photographer and hiking enthusiast Kip Tabb takes you along, starting with this easy half-mile loop around a pond and marsh in Kitty Hawk.
AME Zion leader Cartwright left mark on Albemarle area
Born in Elizabeth City in the early 1830s, Andrew Cartwright established African American churches in northeastern North Carolina, was an agent of the American Colonization Society and the first missionary to Liberia.
Freedom Trail tells of Roanoke’s formerly enslaved people
Kip Tabb, an Outer Banks resident who reports for Coastal Review and other area publications, documents his walk along the Fort Raleigh National Historic Site’s Freedom Trail, which is lined with interpretive signs that illustrate the history of the Freedmen’s Colony of Roanoke Island.
