By the time you read this report, it will be July and some of our early nests will be approaching the approximate two-month incubation time for Loggerhead Turtles. In the next few days, we are hoping to find out about hundreds of tiny but determined hatchlings making their way to the ocean. Inventories will be conducted three days after they hatch, or boil as we call it. We will count how many eggs hatched and report our findings to the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR). These inventories are also an opportunity to see the turtle patrol in action, learn more about these amazing creatures and possibly see a few stragglers head off for their new adventure.
It has been a time of feast or famine for the turtle patrol walkers. Nests 19 through 23 were found during the two weeks covered by this report but all five nests were found on only 3 days. The rest of the time we had to console ourselves with walking on the beach, beautiful sunrises and rainbows, curious dolphins, happy beach dogs and friendly beach goers.
If you are in town on July 4, come on out to cheer your friendly neighborhood Turtle Patrol in the big parade! We should have the turtle truck and an LSV decorated to the nines! With the Independence Day festivities right around the corner and the introduction of many vacationers, we would like to thank everyone for their help in keeping the beaches clean, filling in holes, knocking down sand castles and making sure outside lights are off so they do not confuse the hatchlings. On Sunday, June 29 a veritable treasure trove of oddities was found by the Seabrook Island Turtle Patrol. In addition to the usual trash, they found a peach basket, a yeti mug and a long-handled metal fishing net.
After a long wait since Nest 18, two new nests were found on June 22. Ellen Smith, Rachel Carter, with Valerie and Mark Doane found Nest 19 just north of the bridal path entrance. Since the nest was found below the high tide line, 106 eggs were moved further back. Additional ribbons were added because the relocated nest is so close to the horse trail and, of course, to make the area more festive. Wendy Holschuh and Deb Whitfield found Nest 20 nearly 100 yards north of Boardwalk 6. This nest was also below the high tide line so 98 eggs were relocated further back. They also found a second crawl where the mama went under the stairs belonging to a house near the club before she turned around without incident but also without leaving a nest.
The big news on Monday, June 23 was a stranded mama turtle in a tidal pool on North Beach. The SCDNR requested that we monitor her condition and keep the public away until she managed to free herself. They indicated that in the past a turtle was stranded in a tidal pool for two days. We had many enthusiastic Turtle Patrol volunteers ready to keep an eye on her as long as necessary but fortunately, our turtle was able to return to the sea after only a few hours.
On Wednesday, June 25, Nests 21 and 22 were found. Judy Morr, Kim Sparks and Judy Kuhnlein found Nest 21 north of Boardwalk 3 that was able to be left in-situ. Marnie Ellis, Karen Reavis and Milum Livesay were able to find Nest 22 just a few feet above the high tide line. The team relocated 93 eggs to a safer place in the edge of the dunes above the high tide line.
On Thursday, June 26 no less than four crawls were found but unfortunately no nests were located. Green pegs were left at two of these locations to mark them as we are hoping eggs were laid but we were just unable to find them.
The evening of Thursday, June 26 around 10:00 pm the Turtle Patrol received a text from beach goers indicating there was a large turtle on the beach. Because those good Samaritans carefully kept lights off and let her proceed unobstructed, on Friday, June 27 walkers Brandy Embrey, Kim Hanson, David Williams, Lori Chait and Betty Connell found Nest 23 midway between Boardwalks 4 and 5. Relocation of 121 eggs above the high tide line was determined to be necessary. In other news, rainbows were seen by all the walkers and Melanie Jerome, even managed to have one spring forth from her hand.
The crew walking the beach in front of Camp Saint Christopher on Thursday, June 19, found an injured baby pelican on the beach. Birds of prey said they would accept it if the bird was transported to them. Special thanks to walker Amy Kashmer for taking the young bird all the way to Awendaw for treatment. If you haven’t heard of the Birds of Prey facility before, you can find out more by checking out their website by clicking here. It is an impressive facility with incredible and caring people.
In the continuing saga of Rose, the injured juvenile Green Sea Turtle that was found cold stunned and washed ashore on Seabrook Island, slow but steady recovery is being made at the SC Sea Turtle Care Center. If you are in the neighborhood, please stop in at the aquarium and send them our greetings.
Submitted by Anne Snelgrove for Seabrook Island Turtle Patrol
(Image Credit: Seabrook Island Turtle Patrol)