We have four new nests this week bringing our total to 30 for the season.
July 2, 2023 – Nest 27
Walkers had to contend with a high tide and onshore winds today but Rachel and Neva Carter with Valerie and Mark Doane found Nest 27. The 106 eggs were relocated to higher location North of Boardwalk 3.
July 3, 2023
The tides were high and there isn’t much to report but a few chairs were found above the wrack line and subsequently reported to beach patrol. Fortunately very little other debris was found. Looks like our merry band of Seabrookers, guests and visitors are being caring stewards of our beaches and wildlife. Interestingly, two pelican eggs were found on the beach by Camp Saint Christopher.
July 4, 2023
Happy Fourth of July. Apparently, turtles are not fans of fireworks as there were no new nests left overnight. The good news is the tide last night did not get near the bird nesting area and the Oyster Catcher pair, U5 and mate, are still sitting on their nest.
Special thanks to Judy Morr for entering her LSV in the parade and additional thanks to Lori Porwoll, Marnie Ellis, Vivien Joklik and Donna Mrozek and her granddaughter Kate for helping to decorate Jane Magioncalda’s LSV for the parade. Hope you all enjoy these pictures of the action. Please see the group photo showing from the left – Donna Mrozek, her granddaughter, Kate, Jane Magioncalda, Judy Morr, Carol Heilman, her granddaughter, Lana, Nancy Shenton and Lori Porwoll, reprising her role as “The Turtle”. Thanks to everyone who helped decorate and ride in the parade and those of you along the route who cheered us on!
July 5, 2023
Today’s Post and Courier had the disheartening headline “Dirtiest Day on the Beach” but here on Seabrook Island we are happy to report the amount of trash and beach equipment left was relatively minimal. It was not a “Dirty Day” here so give yourselves a pat on the back! The SITP does so much more than check on Sea Turtle activity. We are also involved in education and daily trash removal from the beach. Yes, SBI is crowded this week, but we all appreciate your efforts to protect our beaches and natural resources. Thank you so much to all the Seabrookers and visitors who help keep our beaches beautiful.
July 6, 2023 – Nests 28 and 29
Storms seemed to encourage the turtles to come up on the beach as we have nests 28 and 29. Both nests were found north of Boardwalk 3 by Pixie Hider, Charlie Faught, Paula Baram (not pictured), Debbie Vaughan, Joanne Galivan and Heather Fife. One hundred six eggs from Nest 28 were relocated about 100 yards north of Boardwalk 3 and 112 eggs from Nest 29 to a spot 20 yards north of Boardwalk 3.
July 7, 2023
It was a very quiet, breezy morning on the beach with very little trash. While there were no new turtle nests, we did spot one of the Oyster Catchers, U5 or his mate, happily sitting on their egg. We hope this beleaguered couple has continued success this time.
July 8, 2023 – Nest 30
Walkers, Nancy Chomel, Vivien Joklik and Elaine Morris found a predated new nest near Boardwalk 3. Sadly, 99 broken eggs were strewn about the area by a coyote. This is the first time in many years that we’ve seen coyote predation on Seabrook Island. Hopefully this won’t be an ongoing issue. The remaining 25 viable eggs, creating Nest 30, were relocated just south of Boardwalk 3.|
In other sad news, a deceased Kemp’s Ridley Sea Turtle was found floating in the surf between Boardwalks 6 and 7. DNR certified stranding responder, Mike Vinson, took the required DNR information and determined the turtle was the victim of a boat strike. If you find a dead, sick, or injured sea turtle, please call SCDNR’s 24-hour hotline at (800)922-5431.
On a happier note, I would like to again thank all of Seabrook Island’s residents, visitors and guests for their stalwart preservation and care of the island’s natural resources and wildlife. Even during this crowded holiday week, there was a great level of willingness and effort to help preserve the beauty of our little island and very little inconsiderate behavior.
For more information about turtles, go to siturtlepatrol.com
-Submitted by Anne Snelgrove, Seabrook Island Turtle Patrol