The weather is heating up and so is the turtle activity. As summer approaches, we are finding the beaches are becoming more populated. We hope everyone has a great time on the beach but please leave it as beautiful as you found it. Please remind your family, friends and guests to stay off the dunes, fill in holes, knock down sand castles and remove all personal property from the beach when they leave for the day. The turtles thank you.
Nest 14 – May 27
Braving wind, rain and a very high tide, walkers Sandy MacCoss, Jacquie and Patrick Weyers and Jane Magioncalda found a crawl just north of Boardwalk 3. The 160 eggs of the very large Nest 14 were relocated to a sanctuary above the high tide line in the dunes. One of the eggs was a strange looking double yolk egg. These types of eggs are not unheard of but they certainly are unusual, especially when they are deformed like this one.
Nest 15 and 16 – May 29
Getting up before sunrise may not seem like fun to most people but it certainly has its rewards. Seabrook Island Turtle Patrol Walkers, Regan, Jennifer and Stuart Passantino found nest 15 about 150 yards north of Boardwalk 1. The large nest, with 151 eggs, was relocated to higher ground about 50 yards closer to Boardwalk 1. Walkers Ellen and Peter Smith discovered a crawl on the beach in front of the cross at Camp Saint Christopher. Nest 16 was left in-situ as the turtle momma found a good spot without the assistance of SITP. As some of you may know, the television show, Outer Banks, had been filming near there on Friday night under the watchful eye of some of the Seabrook Island Turtle Patrol members. The cast and crew were incredibly cooperative and supportive and extremely considerate of the turtles.
Nest 17 – May 30
This Memorial Day we were honored with numerous grandchildren joining in the fun. Nest 17 was found between Boardwalks 2 and 3 by walkers Mike Vinson, Catherine Scully, Bonnie Bohme, Rob Jerome and Gary Holtz along with Mike’s granddaughter, Kate and her friend, Chloe as well as Jennifer Gibson’s granddaughter, Maggie. 119 eggs were moved further back on the dunes.
Nest 18 – May 31
The end of May last year we had 14 nests so this year is looking very promising. Lynda Zegers, Lori Porwoll, Ruby Jenkins and Mary Van Deusen were the happy walkers that found Nest 18 in the bird nesting area on North Beach. Working in conjunction with the Seabrook Island Birders we were permitted to enter the area. The nest, with 101 eggs, was moved to a more suitable and safe location about 50 yards closer to Boardwalk 1.
Nests 19 and 20 – June 1
Walkers Lesley and Tony Gore and Susan and Bill Miller found nests 19 and 20. Nest 19 was found near the point at the Camp Saint Christopher end of the beach. The nest had 120 eggs that were relocated to higher ground in front of the large cross at the Camp. Nest 20 was found in the Camp Saint Christopher area with the downed trees, known as “the boneyard”. Sadly, it had been discovered by raccoons before the walkers found it. No viable eggs were found.
Nests 21 and 22 – June 2
Nest 22 was found by walkers Lucy and Ray Hoover, Carole Heilman and Amy Kashmer at the Camp Saint Christopher end of the island. Unfortunately, this nest had also been discovered by raccoons before the Turtle Patrol. The entire nest was lost to predation. Heather Fife, Charlie Faught, Joanne Gallivan, Paula Baram and Pixie Hider with guests Regina and Billy Cariello found Nest 21. The momma turtle led them on a merry chase as she had come in 100 yards north of Boardwalk 6, created a body pit, walked along the bottom of the dune, climbed the dune and slid back down before heading back to the ocean. The nest was left in-situ.
-Submitted by Anne Snelgrove for SITP
(Image credit: Seabrook Island Turtle Patrol)