Bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) are the most common marine mammal in the coastal and
estuarine waters near Cape Lookout and Beaufort, NC. and the subject of our long term Photo-ID project. Your contributions help us maintain this study. Thank You!
Loggerhead Turtles (Caretta caretta) are the most common nesting sea turtle in the Cape Lookout National Seashore. Loggerheads are known to mate in Cape Lookout Bight. There are 4 common species of sea turtles in North Carolina coastal waters, Loggerhead, Caretta caretta; Leatherback, Dermochelys coriacea; Green, Chelonia mydas; and Kemps, Lepidochelys kempii.
The beaches and dunes of the Cape Lookout National Seashore are the nesting areas for several species of birds, including Black Skimmers, Least Terns, Common Terns, American Oystercatchers, and Piping Plovers. Other birds, such as, Willets, Sanderlings, and Ruddy Turnstones are regularly seen feeding in the surf. The Cape is also a stop-over point for migrating birds.
The Cape Lookout Studies Program, CLSP, promotes environmental education,
research, conservation, and an appreciation of maritime natural history on
the coastal waters and islands near Beaufort, NC. The program utilizes
the former US Coast Guard Station on South Core
Banks, a barrier island within the Cape Lookout National Seashore southeast
of Beaufort. From the watchtower atop the station, the view of the Cape
Lookout Lighthouse, Lookout Shoals, Shackleford Banks, Core Banks, and the
Atlantic Ocean is breathtaking.
;)
;)
;)
;)
;)
 in the foreground. In the background is the Cape Lookout lighthouse with the Atlantic Ocean on the right, Lookout Bight and Core Sound on the left. Photo by Keith Rittmaster, February 6, 2001.');)
