The week started slowly with a lazy Sunday on June 9 but it’s been a busy week ever since for the Loggerhead Turtles of Seabrook Island. We now have a total of 29 nests and eight of them were laid this week!
On Monday, June 10, Seabrook Island Turtle Patrol (SITP) walkers Kim Neath, Julie Minch, Julie Clark and Melissa Andrews found a promising crawl just inside the bird nesting area on North Beach. Melissa was able to confirm that the crawl was not close to any bird nests so 107 eggs from Nest 22 were relocated to a place on North Beach away from the birds.
Tuesday, June 11, Linda and Bill Nelson, Patt Tamasy, and Ginger Seabrook quickly spotted a crawl that became Nest 23 near Boardwalk 5. As this location was potentially endangered by high tides, 108 eggs were relocated to a safer area about ten yards behind the original location.
The momma turtles were busy the night before but out of seven crawls found Wednesday, June 12, only one nest was located by walkers Lesley and Tony Gore, near the large cross on the beach by Camp Saint Christopher. 120 eggs were relocated to a spot near the kayak shed at Camp Saint Christopher.
Most of the false crawls were found between Boardwalks 5 and 6. In addition to the usual wildlife swimming in front of the club, a large black trash bag full of recyclables was seen. The intrepid Marnie Ellis was able to pull it out of the surf. Thank you, Marnie for your fearless dedication to duty.
As the sun rose on Seabrook Island beach on Thursday, June 13, Turtle patrollers were greeted by a total of ten crawls which resulted in three new nests! Nest 25 was found by Charlie Faught, Pixie Hider, Joanne Gallivan and Marnie Ellis near Boardwalk 3 and 132 eggs were relocated to a high and dry spot south of Boardwalk 3. Nests 26 and 27 were found by walkers Lucy Hoover, Amy Kashmer and Carole Heilman. Nest 26 was found near the cross at Camp Saint Christopher and was left in-situ. Unfortunately Nest 27, near the danger sign on the Camp Saint Christopher beach, had been partially predated by coyotes. 105 of the eggs were successfully relocated further down the beach to a safer location. The remains of the predated nest will hopefully serve as a decoy to the coyotes and raccoons.
We also have to thank Judy Morr of the Seabrook Island Turtle Patrol and two of the Camp’s naturalists, Tyler Harris and Jared Crain for the successful rescue of a Black Scoter and Birds of Prey picked it up. We’ve since learned that Birds of Prey hopefully will be able to release him soon.
The turtles were busy again and Friday, June 14, and resulted in Nests 28 and 29! Nest 28 was found by Sandy MacCoss, Brandy Embrey, David Williams, Lori Chait and Carmen Hughes north of Boardwalk 3 and 112 eggs were relocated on higher ground. Happy Turtle Patrollers David, Lori and Carmen are pictured with their nest.
Anne and Will Snelgrove, Melanie Jerome, and Jen Gibson found two crawls in the Camp Saint Christopher area. The first was just south of the kayak shed and, after extensive probing, was declared to be false. The second crawl in the middle of the dead trees turned out to be much more productive and Nest 29 was found. 136 eggs were relocated 75 yards south of the kayak shed by Lesley and Tony Gore, Bill Greubel and Mike Vinson.
Saturday, June 15, was another quiet day on the beach but I think the turtles and the patrollers all deserved a day of respite.
I would like to take this opportunity to remind everyone to leave the beach as you found it. Please knock down sand castles, fill in holes and remove all your equipment, coolers, towels shoes, toys and shade when you go home for the day. Personal belongings left on the beach can be a hazard to people and turtles. One of the more unusual items discovered by the Turtle Patrol in the early morning hours this week was an unattended fishing pole in the dunes at boardwalk 9. The line reached all the way across the beach into the water. Items left unattended may be removed by the Beach Patrol.
-Submitted by Anne Snelgrove for Turtle Patrol