This has been a week of unusually high tides, peculiar weather and meandering crawls. None of these challenges deterred the intrepid Seabrook Island Turtle Patrol and the week ended with eight new nests and a total of 37 nests for the season.
One momma turtle left a lovely Father’s Day present on Sunday, June 16. Walkers Jennifer and Reagan Passatino, David Williams and Debbie Daskaloff discovered a meandering crawl on North Beach. This turtle abandoned the first hole she dug above the wrack and then continued on to lay Nest 30. A safer location was found for 62 eggs. The walkers were unable to stay so there is no picture of this band of happy Turtle Patrollers.
The only turtle related activity on Monday, June 17, was an old nest in the area in front of Camp Saint Christopher from a prior year that had been predated. Due to high tides, the morning walkers were unable to make it all the way to the point. The area was completely checked out later in the day when another crawl was found all the way at the end of Camp Saint Christopher near the cross. This was determined to be a false crawl but still worth the effort to make a second trip.
The turtles were busy and the sun rose on Seabrook Island Tuesday, June 18, to reveal Nests 31 and 32 as well as two false crawls. Linda and Bill Nelson, Tory Kindley and Patt Tamasy found Nest 31 near Boardwalk 3 which has been a very popular location this year. 111 eggs were moved to a safer location closer to Boardwalk 4. Meanwhile, on North Beach, Lynda Zegers, Lori Porwoll, Pam Salvestrini, Ruby Jenkins and Mary Van Deusen found nest 32. This turtle hid her eggs well and it took about an hour to locate the actual nest. 132 eggs were relocated to a higher location. Due to the time needed to locate the nest, the walkers were unable to stay for their picture.
Wednesday, June 19, was windy and the tide was very high, but our sharp-eyed walkers found seven separate crawls. Most exciting of all, the North Beach walkers, Lynda Zegers and Nancy Kupersmith actually saw the turtle while she was laying Nest 33 and were able to get video of the event. Since the nest was precariously close to the high tide line and in the middle of the beach area, 74 eggs were relocated to higher ground.
Judy Morr, Kathy Thompson, (pictured below) along with Anne Snelgrove and Lisa McDonald (not pictured) located a crawl among the myrtle roots between Boardwalks 2 and 3. Nest 34 was found after an extensive search and 127 eggs were relocated to a safer location south of Boardwalk 3. The walkers in front of Camp Saint Christopher were only able to reach the trees before the tide stopped them but the area was surveyed later in the day.
The loggerhead turtles celebrated the Summer Solstice Thursday, June 20, with Nest 35 found by Marnie Ellis, Pixie Hider and Joanne Galivan near the very popular Boardwalk 3. The relocation of 119 eggs to higher ground was necessary. Due to the continuing morning high tides, walkers could not get beyond the boneyard at Camp Saint Christopher so the remainder of the walk was completed after the tide receded. This is the time of year that we often find unusual items on our patrol. Thursday yielded a window shutter, a dead possum, a bathing suit top and a lethargic duck which was near the water’s edge but couldn’t be reached.
Sandy MacCoss, Lori Chait, David Williams and Kim Hanson were the lucky ones on Friday, June 21, when they found two crawls near boardwalk 4, one of which became Nest 36. 125 eggs were relocated to a spot about 60 yards north of Boardwalk 4. Our walkers were unable to stay for a picture.
Most of the time the mommas come in as far as they reasonably can, make their turn back toward the ocean, lay their eggs, cover them up and leave but on Saturday, June 22, the Loggerhead Turtles didn’t read the instruction manual. Lesley and Tony Gore found a wandering crawl, estimated to be about 450 yards long, on North Beach between the two bird sanctuaries.
This turtle succeeded in leaving her eggs in a high and dry location but unfortunately a coyote got there before our walkers. Only 16 viable eggs of nest 37 remained at the bottom of the nest and they were relocated on North Beach away from the predated nest. The remaining 68 eggs were buried at the original location. Further down the beach, near Boardwalk 3, walkers found two crawls, one of which left six long-time Seabrook Island Turtle Patrollers scratching their heads! This momma came in at Boardwalk 3, crawled straight up the face of the dune, knocking down the stakes and ribbons that were cordoning off the other nests, meandering along the ridge before sliding back down, throwing sand and finally heading back out to sea. The area was cautiously and thoroughly searched for eggs but none were found. Care needed to be taken navigating the area at the top of the dunes as it is extremely fragile. The other crawl was a simple in-and-out.
It has come to our attention that even the United States Postal Service is doing their part to help the Sea Turtles and other endangered animals. They have come out with a series of wildlife conservation themed stamps. The photographs on the beautiful “Protect Sea Turtles” stamps showcase six unique Sea Turtle species. The price of a First-Class Mail Forever stamp is expected to increase by a nickel to 73 cents on July 14, 2024, from the 68 cents so get them at the current price while you still can!
-Submitted by Anne Snelgrove for Seabrook Island Turtle Patrol