Seabrook Island Turtle Patrol had a terrific week with 6 new nests, some unusual animal tracks and very helpful and interested visitors.
Mother’s Day May 12:
In a fitting tribute to Mother’s Day, Nest # 2 was found by Jane Magioncalda, Joe Ficarra, Karen Sewell and Jen Gibson. The team relocated 116 eggs to a safer spot 100 yards north of Boardwalk 6. Elsewhere on the beach, a false crawl was also seen but only an uncovered empty hole was found.
Monday, May 13:
Even though we had no sea turtle activity on a glorious Monday morning, a dog walker near Camp Saint Christopher reported seeing a small turtle going into the ocean. The tracks were determined to probably belong to a Diamondback Terrapin.
Tuesday, May 14:
Nest #3 was found by Linda and Bill Nelson, Tory Kindley and Patt Tamasy near Boardwalk 3. A location on higher ground, 45 yards north of Boardwalk 3, is the new home for 129 eggs. Another false crawl with an empty hole was found near Camp Saint Christopher. Perhaps it is the same Momma turtle trying to get some practice digging holes. This is shaping up to be a promising year. Last year on May 14 we had our first nest on Seabrook Island. This year we have 3 nests by 14 May and our first nest was found on May 10. Excellent showing Loggerhead Turtles! Keep up the good work.
Wednesday, May 15
An obviously false crawl found between Boardwalks 4 and 5 was the only notable activity on a lovely Wednesday morning. I suppose even the Momma Loggerheads need a relaxing day, too.
Thursday, May 16
After a laid-back day on Wednesday, the turtles showed up in force today. Nests 4 and 5 were found! Nest 4 was found on near the kayak shed at Camp Saint Christopher by Lucy Hoover, Amy Kashmer and Carol Heilman. Only Amy could stay for the picture. There are active coyote and racoon populations in this area and unfortunately the nest was partially predated and 76 of the eggs were lost to coyotes during the night before our intrepid turtle patrol walkers arrived. Fortunately, 65 viable eggs were relocated by Lesley and Tony Gore about 100 yards north of the shed. The original location of the nest has been marked with a peg and a flag so we can determine if additional predation occurs.
Nest 5 was found by two of Seabrook Isands most dedicated walkers, Marnie Ellis and Charlie Faught, about 50 yards south of Boardwalk 3. This clever Loggerhead Momma laid her nest high in the dunes and was left in-situ.
Another sort of turtle crawl was also found to the side of Boardwalk 3. This feisty little mud turtle had decided to take a stroll out of the salt marsh to take a look around. The little fellow was found by off-duty turtle patroller, Anne Snelgrove and her husband, Will, and dog, Nillie, (aka Willie Nillie) just before going on the beach and finding the real excitement of Nest 5!
An obvious false crawl was found nearby going into the rocks. Mike Vincent, turtle patroller extraordinaire, showed up to help out with Nest 5 before it was even called in because he was on his way to examine the false crawl. Can’t beat that for fast service.
Friday, May 17
Nest 6 was found by walkers Lori Chait, Brandy Embrey and Sandy MacCoss about 200 yards south of Boardwalk 2. A higher and safer location was found for the 143 eggs on North Beach.
Walkers Jen Gibson and Annie Snelgrove found the coyotes returned to the scene of the crime near the kayak shed at Camp Saint Christopher. Fortunately, the furry fiends only disturbed the original eggs that they had already devoured and left the viable Nest 5 undisturbed. Oddly, they seem to have absconded with the flag that marked the area.
Saturday, May 18
After a good deal of drama, Nest 7 with 107 eggs was found. Walkers Marnie Ellis and J-Anna Smith encountered what appeared to be another newly predated nest near Camp Saint Christopher. Coyote tracks were everywhere but no eggs were seen. Probers Sandy MacCoss and Lucy Hoover responded and, after a very determined effort, decided it must be a false crawl. Just as they were leaving, Sandy saw one more spot to try and Lucy, finding her first nest as prober, located the undisturbed, and exceptionally deep nest # 7. The eggs were relocated to a more hospitable location near the big cross.
Near Boardwalk 1, Seabrook Island Turtle patrollers found two smoldering beach fires in the dunes as well as a very large hole. The fires were reported and the hole was filled in. Please remember to get a permit before having a fire on the beach and make sure it is fully extinguished prior to leaving. Holes should also be filled in as they can present a hazard to turtles, humans and other creatures.
-Submitted by Annie Snelgrove, Seabrook island Turtle Patrol
(Image credit: Seabrook Island Turtle Patrol)