Outer Banks: 11.28.11 - Amazing Bird Migration at Avalon Pier
I strolled up to the beach this morning for my daily picture/beach report, and I was wow’ed by a pretty cool sight. Hundreds (maybe 1000+?) of birds moving around Avalon Pier and heading south. Very cool.
This is some conjecture, but I think they were ducks (with some pelicans and sea gulls mixed in), and it seemed like they were migrating south. They were bouncing from the water to the air, but they weren’t taking the time to fish, so migration seems to make the most sense. Regardless of the reason, it was awesome to watch nature doing its thing.
Hope you had a great Turkey Day. The weather was perfect on the OBX, and that great weather is continuing today. Sun and 60′s. Unfortunately no surf, but we could see some nice waves tomorrow. Piers are closing down for the season, but the fish are still biting.
Were you on the OBX for Thanksgiving? How did you spend your time when you weren’t gobbling down a delicious Turkey Day feast? We’d love to know. Please share in the comment section below.
Duck, NC – The Town of Duck, in cooperation with our local business community, announces the First Annual “Duck Yuletide Celebration” – a Town-wide celebration of Yuletide Cheer.
Friday and Saturday, December 2 and 3, 2011
Duck merchants will keep their doors open late for shoppers to find the perfect gift. Visitors will enjoy Holiday sales, refreshments, and even some Holiday entertainment as they make their way through the Town of Duck.
The entire Village Commercial District will be decked out for the holiday season with festive decorations and lights.
To complement your shopping experience, Duck eateries are hosting one of their famous Duck Tapas Crawls on Friday, December 2, 2011 from 5:00 – 8:00 p.m. Participating restaurants will be serving up a plate of tapas and a cup of Holiday cheer for one special price that is sure to be pleasing to every palate.
Love holiday shopping? Love tapas? Love Duck? Will you be going to the Yuletide Celebration? Please let us know all about it in our comments section. Have fun!
Duck is preparing for its 5th annual Jazz Festival, set to kick off October 9th at 11:00 am on the Duck Town Green. Seaside Vacations and Coldwell Banker Seaside Realty are proud sponsors of this free all day event offering a collection of some of the greatest jazz musicians on the East Coast.
Scheduled to perform (performers and times subject to change):
The Duck Town Park is a smoke-free facility. No beach umbrellas or tents are permitted at the event. Picnics, beverages, chairs, and blankets are encouraged. Chairs will also be available to rent and food vendors will be on site. There will also be shuttle service, for $5 round trip, to and from the festival with the pick-up site to be announced soon. Gates open at 10:00 am. 1200 Duck Road.
There will also be some great events before and after the festival including free wine tasting, tapas and great food specials around town, so keep an eye on the event calendar as they will be posting this years events soon!
You can also keep up with the festival on Facebook and Twitter.
We look forward to seeing everyone there. This event is tons of fun and a great chance to relax and enjoy some great music, drinks and company. Keep an eye out for some of our very own Seaside employees handing out some cool stuff. Stop by and say hey!
Come along as we take a tour of the Army Cops of Engineers Field Research Facility, or what we OBX’ers call the Duck Research Pier in Duck, North Carolina. The Field Research facility is used to study coastal processes, especially those that cause beach changes. The pier fulfills four main objectives:
provides a rigid platform through the surf into deep water from which to attach instruments
provides a permanent base of operations for various studies by the Corps, private industry, universities, and other branches of the military
provides field data for use in laboratory experiments and numerical models
provides a facility for testing new instrumentation in the field before deployment
If you have ever been out on the beach in Duck you may have seen the 1840 foot pier from a distance but there are only private beach accesses near the facility. The reason they Army chose to build the pier in Duck is pretty neat. Duck was chosen because of its distance from coastal structures, affected by the high frequency of storms and hurricanes, and only lightly affected by the dynamics of inlet processes. It also has access to both the Atlantic Ocean and Currituck Sound making it easier to conduct a variety of experiments.
I don’t want to tell you too much more about the pier because you need to get out there and do the tour. It was really educational and makes you appreciate all of the wonder that’s associated with the ocean. They are only doing the tours until August 19th and are Monday-Friday at 10:00 am. Only one more week left so get out there!
We love a good video series; so we figured why not start another. You can already view our “Outer Banks Treasures” video series that highlights all of the “secret” spots we love on the OBX so you can live like a local when you visit. And now we’re going to focus on some informational videos that will help you get an understanding of the layout of the Outer Banks. We’ll title the new video series “Spotlight on the OBX,” (pretty clever, right? ), and we’ll start with an overview of the town of Duck.
Hope you enjoy…please let us know if you have any suggestions or want us to focus on something in particular. We love your input!
Duck, North Carolina is a charming Northern Outer Banks town that has a lot of personality and an amazing amount to offer vacationers. Whether you’re looking to relax on the beautiful beaches, take a bike ride through the quaint downtown area, pick up some unique OBX goodies at the local shops, or dine in one of the many tasty restaurants, Duck has something for everyone.
Duck is in an ideal location. Tucked away in a wooded area just north of Kitty Hawk, it is quiet and peaceful, but it is a short drive south to hustle and bustle along Rt. 158, and a quick trip north to Corolla. It is one of the few towns on the OBX that offer a true “downtown” area…and it’s a great downtown – bike and walking paths, shops, restaurants, waterfront patios and walkways. The town also goes above and beyond during the summer months to offer free events all week long – music, exercise, shows, kids events. A great spot for an OBX getaway
Beautiful Views:The town of Duck has some of the best views on the Outer Banks. From restaurants on the sound to oceanfront property, there’s a breath-taking view everywhere you look.
Watersports/fishing:From the Atlantic Ocean to the Currituck Sound, Duck has it all when it comes to the water. The most peaceful and relaxing beaches on the Outer Banks can be found in Duck, a great place for surfing, sea kayaking, paddle boarding or even just swimming. Just a walk away is the Currituck Sound, where you can rent a jet ski, take a boat out, go fishing or enjoy an aerial view while parasailing.
Restaurants: Duck is home to some of the best restaurants around. With just a short drive, bike ride or walk, you’ll find some of the top food and wine destinations on the Outer Banks.
Shopping: All of Duck’s unique boutiques and specialty shops are located within walking distance of each other, creating a great “downtown” shopping experience.
I’ll zip it so Chelsea can give you a quick tour. Hope to see you soon. Enjoy!
Scarborough Faire Shopping Village in Duck, NC announces that they will hold “Faire Days Festival” every Wednesday through out the summer. Every Wednesday, starting June 15th and ending Aug 31st, from 2-7pm, you’ll discover Food, Art, Imagination, Recreation & Entertainment for the entire family in the cool shade of their magnificent tree-lined courtyard.
Events will include:
• Corolla Wild Horse Fund presents LIVE Horses
• FREE Gift Bag Drawings
• Tim the Juggler
• Magic Mike the Clown & Magician
• Live Music Features & DJ
• Shopping Specials & Event Discounts
• Appetizer Specials & Wine Tastings
• Funnel Cake Van
• Author Book Signings
• Children’s Story Hour
• Play Doh Coloring Sheets
• Culinary Demos & Tastings
• Live Painting Demos
• Decorating Seminars
• Glitter Tattoo Table
• Segway Demos
• Random visits for Kayak Clinics, Child Safety Seat Checks & Deputy Dogs
*Weather Permitting & Subject to Change
Sounds like something fun to bring the kids to while on your vacation. Then again can you ever get too old to love a fair!?
The Outer Banks Sentinel is reporting that the Town of Duck continues to push full steam ahead on an ambitious project to build a 10-foot wide, wooden soundfront boardwalk that will stretch behind the park and extend to the existing walkways of the waterfront businesses.
In the long-run, the hope is to ultimately have the boardwalk run the entire length of the village and will offer a safer and more enjoyable way to enjoy the towns shopping areas and pristine natural stretches.
People are already enjoying the completed areas, and the town has applied for a grant to pay for the southern extensions. The town believes the new boardwalk will allow vacationers and residents to access the sound and enjoy all of its beauty that has mostly been off limits because it is behind privately-owned properties.
Another important factor of the boardwalk is safety. Duck is very busy during the summer when folks are out walking, riding bikes and jogging through town, and it can get pretty congested as cars are trying to make it through. The hope is that the boardwalk may resolve some of these traffic issues.
Town planners also plan on adding a 130-foot pier that will feature four day-use boat slips to the agenda. Taken together, the boardwalk and piers offer something different than the beach for the thousands of people who visit this small sea-to-sound town each year.
The Town of Duck believes this is just the first piece of an overall pedestrian plan. When and if the mid-Currituck bridge is built from the mainland to Corolla, the Town of Duck may seek approval from the N.C. Department of Transportation to make some changes in town such as additional crosswalks.
Don’t just take it from us…Raleigh based Fifteen501 magazine encourages a spring visit to the Outer Banks too!
Boasting the amazing OBX history – one of the first settlements of Virginia Dare, Blackbeard, shipwrecks in the Graveyard of the Atlantic and the first in flight – Fifteen 501 encourages travelers to make the trip to the Outer Banks.
But there’s more than just history…
The wild mustangs still populating the island of Corolla are said to be the descendants of those aboard Spanish shipwrecks and are just another great site on more than 130 mile stretch of beaches.
With a wide array of quiet spots to sit back and enjoy plenty of relaxation and recreation, the Fifteen 501 believes the entire Outer Banks is worth visiting but there is one place of the beaten path. Duck, NC.
Inspired by its uncrowded beaches, friendly locals, beautiful views and artistic feel, Duck is an island town that continues to move residents and visitors alike. High class amenities, delicious coastal cuisine, locally owned shopping and amazing vacation rental homes are some of the great reasons to plan a spring or summer trip to the Outer Banks.
Thanks Fifteen 501…please, come back and visit again soon. :)
It’s never too early to start thinking about summer…especially considering the OBX is going to get hit with snow tonight!
The town of Duck, NC puts together an awesome schedule of free, fun, and family-friendly events every summer, and 2011 is no exception. Music, magic, story-telling…there’s something for everyone and it’s all freelicious!
Here’s the 2011 highlights:
ANNUAL 4TH OF JULY DAY PARADE – JULY 4, 2011 at 9:00 A.M.
Duck’s seventh annual Fourth of July Parade will be held on Monday, July 4, 2011 at 9:00 a.m., with an after-event following at the Duck Town Park featuring music by Ruth Wyand & Friends, refreshments, and the awarding of parade trophies. The one-mile parade route is the same annually and begins at the crest of the hill on Scarborough Lane going eastward, continues down Ocean Way, and then turns onto Christopher Drive. No part of the parade is on Duck Road (SR 12). Please plan to come early to get the best parade viewing spot. For more information or to register an entry for the parade, visit www.townofduck.com/4thofjuly.htm.
SPECIAL SATURDAY CONCERT WITH THE LANGLEY WINDS
The United States Air Force Heritage of America’s Langley Winds Woodwind Quintet will be in Duck for a special free performance on Saturday, June 11, 2011 beginning at 6:00 p.m. in the Town Amphitheater. This is the band’s second appearance in Duck and we are thrilled to have them back on our stage. For over 10 years, The Langley Winds have been inspiring audiences with a musical repertoire which includes a wide variety of popular, patriotic, and chamber music selections. Mark your calendars and plan to join us for this very special concert.
“DUCK UNPLUGGED” SINGER/SONGWRITER SERIES – TUESDAY EVENINGS
New to the schedule for 2011 is “Duck Unplugged”, our four-week long singer/songwriter series. The concerts will be on Tuesdays from July 5, 2011 through July 26, 2011 beginning at 6:00 p.m., and will be held in the Town Amphitheater. The current schedule of performances is (subject to change):
Tuesday, July 26 – Coyote: Marcy Brenner & Lou Castro
SUMMER MUSIC SERIES – THURSDAY EVENINGS
This popular evening concert series returns for its fifth season. For eight weeks, local musical groups will take the stage at the Duck Town Park Gazebo. The concerts begin at 6:00 p.m., and are on Thursday evenings from June 23, 2011 through August 11, 2011. The current schedule of performances is (subject to change):
Thursday, June 23 – The Rajun Cajuns (New Orleans Style Dance/Rock)
Thursday, June 30 – Aquarium (Jam Rock & Blues)
Thursday, July 7 – The Fuzz Band (Jazz, Funk, Blues, Hip Hop)
Thursday, August 11 – The Little Kings (Dance Rock & Soul)
MORNING THEATER AND MUSIC SERIES – TUESDAY MORNINGS
The cast from The Lost Colony Musical Theater will be in Duck on Tuesdays from July 5, 2011 through August 9, 2011 presenting a musical song and dance preview of The Lost Colony production. All shows are at 10:00 a.m. and will be held in the Duck Amphitheater. Each week will be a little different so plan to join us for one, or all, of the shows!
FAMILY MAGIC SHOW – WEDNESDAY MORNINGS
Witness incredible illusions, mind-bending magic, comedy, and audience participation the entire family will love — live on stage! OBXtreme Magic features some of the most incredible magic and illusions performed by world-renowned illusionists Clive Allen & Tracy.
This six-week long series of shows will be held at 10:00 a.m. at the Town Amphitheater on Wednesdays from July 6, 2011 through August 10, 2011, and is underwritten by Kellogg’s Supply and The Cottage Shop.
Although this event is free, tickets will be required for entry as the event is fully underwritten and seating in the amphitheater is limited. All attendees (of any age) must possess a ticket to gain entry to the performance.
Tickets will be available beginning the Monday the week of the show at Kellogg’s Supply/The Cottage Shop, 1201 Duck Road (directly across from the Town Park). There is a six ticket maximum for this event. Tickets will NOT be available at the Town Office or at the Town Park.
Please remember, that ticket holders will be granted entrance to the amphitheater first; and then non-ticket holders will be granted entrance, if space allows, on a first-come, first serve basis. Non-ticket holders are NOT guaranteed entry to this event so please take the time and visit Kellogg’s Supply/The Cottage Shop to pick up your tickets early in the week of the show that you want to attend as these tickets are in high demand.
CHILDREN’S STORY TIME – THURSDAY MORNINGS
Bring the children for story time sponsored by Duck’s two book stores: Duck’s Cottage and Island Book Store. Story time will be held in the Duck Amphitheater at 10:00 a.m. on Thursdays beginning July 7, 2011 and continuing through Thursday, August 11, 2011. Story time is geared to children between the ages of 3 and 7.
5TH ANNUAL DUCK JAZZ FESTIVAL
The Fifth Annual Duck Jazz Festival will be held on Sunday, October 9, 2011 beginning at 11:00 a.m. on the Duck Town Green. Artists for the 2011 show will be announced soon. Plan to join us for this popular event! For more information, please visit duckjazz.com.
All of the events, except for the parade, will take place at the Duck Town Park, 1200 Duck Road, Duck, North Carolina. Please remember to bring a blanket or lawn chair for events being held on the Town Green. Beach umbrellas or tents are NOT permitted within the Town Park. All events will be held outside. In the case of inclement weather or site or performer unavailability, an activity may be cancelled or rescheduled.
For the most up-to-date schedule, please visit townofduck.com, call the Town’s Events hotline at (252) 255-1286, become a fan of the “Town of Duck” on Facebook, or follow us on Twitter at “DuckPR.” Updates, changes, and cancellations will be posted on the Town’s website and at the park.
The Virginia Pilot recently ran a very insightful article about the potential problems facing final approval for the proposed mid-Currituck Bridge.
The debates surrounding the bridge have echoed for years, and earlier this year it seemed a final conclusion in favor of the bridge was coming to a close. The proposed bridge would begin near Aydlett, about 25 miles south of the Virginia-North Carolina line, and stretch across the Sound to Corolla. It is believed that the bridge would cut travel time for visitors headed to northern Outer Banks.
At this point, the closest access to the Outer Banks is the Wright Memorial Bridge, about 20 miles south of Aydlett. As a result, travelers headed to the northern end of the Outer Banks are forced to head 20 miles south to Kitty Hawk, and spin around onto Rt. 12 to head north another 10 – 20 miles to reach Duck and Corolla. Clearly not ideal. The convoluted route has long been a source of safety concerns. A new bridge is expected to reduce evacuation times, boost tourism on both sides of the sound and curb pollution from idling vehicles.
However, there are concerns. Environmental, zoning, construction, etc. But the debates on these issue have already been voiced and heard, and the major project still seemed poised for approval.
Not so fast.
The scope of the US political spectrum shifted a bit with the recent elections in November, and the Republican lawmakers who clawed their way back into the NC General Assembly last month are looking for much needed budget cuts. Seems the mid-Currituck Bridge could be on the chopping block.
The state lawmakers need to close a projected $3 – 4 billion (yes, with a B!) deficit, and the bridge offers a pretty significant savings. The current plans for the bridge call for initial funding at $15 million per year, but that figure has the potential to rise to $28 million per year in 2013…and continue for 40 years.
Seems like the debate is far from over but conclusions could be reached in the near future.
), and we’ll start with an overview of the town of Duck.
