It was an extremely busy week with 16 new nests. We are definitely on pace to have our best year ever.
6/3
Nest 28 was found by Zone 2 walkers Veronica L’Allier and Bob Mason in front of the Beach Club Villas. Bill Greubel responded and found the 94 eggs which were moved about 15 feet back.
6/4
We have nests 29 & 30! One more and we’ll equal last year.
Just past dawn this morning Walkers Ruby Jenkins, Lori Porwoll, Pam Salvestrini, Francie Segal and Mary Van Duesen reported a crawl about 50 yards north of the 1st dog sign. Judy Morr and Jim Lawrence responded and found nest 29. The nest, with 122 eggs, was relocated about 20 yards north to higher ground.
Bill and Linda Nelson, Tory Kindley found a crawl at Boardwalk 3 and discovered 106 eggs among the trees and an ant hill for nest 30. 4 eggs were lost in the extraction from a significant ant infestation and the other 102 were moved about 40 yards south to give them an ant free start.
6/5
Nests 31 and 32 were found this morning along with 9 false crawls. We have now officially passed last year’s total.
Walkers Paula Baram and Brad Masteller reported a crawl near Boardwalk 6. Terry Fansler, Sandy MacCoss, & Jane Magioncalda responded and Jane found the eggs on her first probe!! Nest 31 was left in situ. Paula and Brad also reported 4 more crawls, all between the Pelican’s Nest and the houses under construction. Bill and Linda Nelson, Terry Fansler and Judy Morr investigated the crawls. Bill and Linda Nelson found nest 32 and, with the help of Paula and Brad, put the nest protection over the eggs. The nest was found about 220 yards north of Boardwalk 7. It was left in situ. The others were all false crawls.
Walkers sent a picture of footprints going into the bird sanctuary; which were smaller than loggerhead tracks. Terry Fansler, Sandy MacCoss and Jane Magioncalda examined and decided the tracks were made by an alligator. No wonder the birds were upset!
6/6
Walkers Mike & Callie Boccaccio, Chris Czander, Terry Fansler & Anna Wechter reported a crawl in front of the second house past the club. Bill & Eileen Middleton responded and found nest 33. It was left in situ. It was noted that since Callie joined the group as a Junior Patrol member, they have found a nest every time! Thanks Callie.
6/7
It was a crazy morning on the beach. We had 5 nests and 3 false crawls.
Nancy Shenton, Jackie Brooks and Judy Morr started at 6am and were rewarded with a crawl at the first house under construction past the club. Judy probed and found Nest 34. It was left in situ.
Walkers Jane Magioncada and Laura and Jim Logan called to report 3 crawls. Bill Greubel responded. Jane Magioncada found Nest 35, 50 yards north of Boardwalk 3. Not having had enough fun for the day, Bill Greubel went back to yesterday’s false crawl near Boardwalk 4. He probed one area then went to directly in front of the False Crawl peg and found Nest 36! The crawl 300 yards south of Boardwalk 2 became Nest 38.
Anne Snelgrove, Melanie Jerome and Liz Haggerty called with a crawl 100 yards from the point. Judy Morr probed and found nest 37. In her second year of walking, Liz finally had her first nest.
6/8
A nice morning on the beach, with 3 reported crawls and Nests 39, 40 and 41 found.
As Bill and Pat Greubel and Alexa Kinne finished walking, they found a crawl just south of Boardwalk 1. Bill probed and found nest 39. It was left in situ; however, the ghost crabs had already found the eggs and 4 were predated. The nest was shallow and Bill built up a small dune over the area to protect the remaining eggs. He felt this was a young turtle as her tracks were narrower than most.
Amanda and Josh Shilko called in 2 crawls, one 150 yards south of the Camp St. Christopher flag and one about 150 yards north of the point. Sandy MacCoss Jane Magioncalda & Terry Fansler responded and found Nest 40. 113 eggs were relocated to a designated relocation area in front of the old Danger sign. The other crawl had apparently occurred on Friday, the crawl and body pit were partially obliterated by rain. They probed and found nest 41. 104 eggs were relocated just behind the body pit above the high tide line.
6/9
Jane Magioncalda, Joe Ficarra, Laura & Jim Logan, Amanda & Josh Shilko found a crawl about 100 yards north of Boardwalk 1. Bill and Eileen Middleton investigated and found Nest 42. They moved 120 eggs to a safer area just behind the original nest to protect it from high tides.
As Rachel Carter and Lisa Hand found a crawl just north of Boardwalk 6. Sandy MacCoss probed and found the eggs. The nest is in a high and dry area and, with the help of Jane Magioncalda and Joe Ficarra, Nest 43 was covered and marked.
-Submitted by Gary Fansler