We are seeing a decline in new nests but the earlier nests are really starting to hatch, or boil as we say. If you are curious why we call it a boil, just watch this video of an unusual daytime boil from July of last year. Three days after a nest boils, we will conduct an inventory to determine how effective our efforts are in protecting the Sea Turtles. These inventories are wonderful opportunities to learn more about these “ancient mariners” and maybe even see a hatchling or two. Please check out Tidelines for dates and times.
Sunday, 14 July, was a hot, muggy, buggy morning with activity from Wile E. Coyote, with tracks over nest 11, false crawls north of Boardwalk 7 and north of Boardwalk 3. The momma at Boardwalk 7 really put in the effort as she crawled up to the rocks, bounced around, hit some more rocks and left without any sign of a body pit or digging. There was a good-sized depression in Nest 2. Hatchling tracks were found in the vicinity of Nest 46 that started and ended in the middle of nowhere, and more tracks from Nest 6 and quite a few near Nest 3.
On Monday, 15 July, walkers Kim Neath, Julie Minch (not pictured) and Melissa Andrews found a crawl waaaay out on North Beach which became Nest 55. We believe this was one of the younger turtles nesting on our beach due to the smaller crawl and a small clutch of only 63 eggs. This nest was moved to a safer location away from the high tide line.
We didn’t see evidence on Tuesday, 16 July of any visiting turtles overnight but Nest 11 on zone 4 continues to show a promising indentation. Nests 3 and 9 near Boardwalk 3 had one hatchling track each.
No new nests were discovered on Wednesday, July 17 but Nests 12 and 14 by Camp Saint Christopher had depressions and it appears we had some scouts leaving Nest 14. Nest 9 near Boardwalk 3 had at least 2 more hatchlings leave the nest. Later in the day, team members Amy and Jeff Caporossi were walking by the dog sign near Boardwalk 9 and helped a hatchling into the water. No sign of hatchlings or nearby nests so we are assuming this little fellow had been swept over from Botany while following the morning sun.
The hatchlings are on the move! We were able to see some baby tracks Thursday morning, July 18 from a few nests but there are no new nests to report. There were about 20 tracks from Nest 10, 2 tracks from Nest 9, and about 15 from Nest 11. The winds we’ve experienced the last week or so have made it difficult and sometimes impossible to see hatchling tracks or large depressions in many of the nests.
Friday, July 19, didn’t bring any new nests but we are starting to get many reports of hatchling tracks. The beach in front of Camp Saint Christopher was busy with 3 nests showing signs of hatchling movement and Nest 14 had a great big classic boil, all going in the right direction.
Some hatchling tracks were also seen coming out of Nests 11 and 12.
Saturday, July 20, was surprising with four crawls between Boardwalk 2 and Boardwalk 5. Unfortunately, no eggs were found but we remain hopeful the ladies will be back next week. The good news for Saturday was Nest 15 boiled and Nest 11 had a few more adventurous hatchlings heading out.
Thanks to everyone for your support and interest. Please feel free to approach the walkers in their brightly colored shirts. We are happy to answer any of your questions. Looking forward to seeing all of you at the many inventories we will be having.
-Submitted by Anne Snelgrove for Seabrook Island Turtle Patrol
(Image credit: Seabrook Island Turtle Patrol)