People, bikes, LSVs, music, fireworks and a parade enlivened our tiny island but the momma turtles didn’t seem to mind. Even though we had many Loggerhead Turtles on our beach attempting to lay nests this past week, most have been false crawls resulting in only 3 more nests in July. One of the false crawls this week was left by a turtle, affectionately known as Pegleg the Pirate, that we have been seeing for a few years. She has a very distinctive crawl pattern as she is missing a flipper.
We now have 26 nests on Seabrook Island and the momma turtles appear to still be going strong. This week, the first 7 nests will be past the minimum 50-day incubation period so we should be seeing hatchlings very soon. Nest 2 had a small depression near the center. Hopefully hatchlings are moving around in there and hundreds of intrepid young turtles will make their way to the ocean soon. An inventory will be conducted 3 days after they hatch, or as we call it boil, and 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.
On Wednesday, July 2 walkers Molly Korski, Kerry McPartland and Lesley and Tony Gore found Nest 24 north of the vehicle entrance at Boardwalk 1. Due to the low-lying position of the original nest, it was necessary to relocate 118 eggs above the high tide line.
We were graced with Yankee Doodle Nest 25 to celebrate Independence Day. Walkers Marnie Ellis, J-Anna Smith, and Kim Warchol found a promising crawl space, way out on Captain Sam’s Spit near the dolphin box. Normally the turtle patrol members that work tirelessly behind the scenes receive little to no mention but since the fabulously decorated Turtle Truck was currently playing in the street in the parade, Turtle patrol specialists Lesley and Tony Gore, Wendy Holschuh and Kerry McPartland lugged the necessary screens, buckets, posts and other equipment all the way out to the spit, then relocated 118 eggs from Nest 25 to higher ground. Special thanks to all involved for literally going the extra mile for this one.
The turtle patrol was a big hit in the parade, and we have many people to thank. A lot of hard work and also some shenanigans go into putting vehicles in the Island Parade. Decorating was accomplished by Elaine Morris, who also graciously provided her driveway and refreshments again this year, Becky Holditch, Louise Bavier, Lucy Hoover and grandkids, Gus and Addy, along with, Annie and Will Snelgrove and their grandkids, Silas and Raelyn. Annie and Will also undecorated the truck (which is not as much fun as decorating) and returned it to the Gores for restocking. Lesley and Tony Gore restocked the truck in addition to the “old school” Nest 25 relocation. Lori Porwoll stores the decorations during the year, and this year also did a wonderful job as she reprised her role as “The Turtle”. The Turtle’s attendants were Annie, Silas, Raelyn, Becky, Louise, Lucy, Gus, and Addy. Judy Morr added her festively decorated LSV to the fun along with Nancy Shenton, Joleen Ardaiolo with her daughter, Shannon, and grandson, Skyler. Everyone had a great time and we all loved the public’s joy in seeing the turtle truck in the parade.
Nest 26 was found by Lesley and Tony Gore on North Beach on July 5, which was left in situ. It has been a very productive week for the Gores!
We do greatly appreciate the efforts of the vast majority of residents and visitors because so many of you leave only footprints and take only memories. Walkers did report finding more trash than usual as well as the remnants of a destroyed tent. The tent was reported to beach patrol. Holes, large and small, present a danger to turtles and people so please, please, please fill in your holes when you are leaving the beach. There was an extremely large hole that was in the dunes near Boardwalk 3 that the Beach Patrol was not able to see from the truck so it was quickly filled in by Annie and Will Snelgrove. Will seemed to enjoy doing that a great deal. A Volkswagen Bug could have been lost in there. While we appreciate the industry and effort it must have taken to dig the hole in the first place, filling it in would have been even more appreciated. The small holes can, surprisingly, present an even bigger hazard to young hatchlings and humans. We call these small holes ankle biters.
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)