Inventory on protected Loggerhead Sea Turtle nest 19

 This Nest was called in during the late evening hours about a Sea Turtle on the beach trying to nest.  NMB STP Volunteers soon arrived. The NMB STP kept all quiet, no lights until she nested and went back into the Ocean.  This nest was relocated to a safer part of the beach with no lights from the high-rises and less traffic.  This nest incubated for 55 days.

Before the inventory is started, many bystanders have come to see what is happening.  The dedicated NMB STP are eagerly letting everyone know what is going on.  They share their passion and knowledge with fellow Volunteers and all that have come to see the inventory.

  The anticipation is high as the Volunteers are anxious to how their hard work all year has helped in the survival of the endangered Sea Turtles.  All are told the history on this nest.  How all Sea Turtles are federally, and state protected, with Permits and special training. What is being done to help in the survival of the Sea Turtle Species.

Once the inventory is done all are welcome to look at the egg chamber that the eggs incubated in.  They can also see the eggs that the Sea Turtles hatched out of.

Inventory results

98 % hatch success rate

91 eggs in this nest, one used for DNA testing, 90 relocated

90 relocated eggs

89 eggs hatched

1 whole egg

0 dead hatchlings

0 live hatchlings

All Sea Turtles are endangered, they are federally, and state protected.  Special guidelines, training and permits are required to work with Nesting Sea Turtles, Nest Hatchlings and stranded Sea Turtles.

If you encounter a Sea Turtle, Hatchling or stranded Sea Turtle in the NMB or Briarcliffe areas please call:

NMB STP HOTLINE

843-213-9074

ANY TIME DAY OR NIGHT

Inventory on protected endangered Loggerhead nest # 18

 This nesting Sea Turtle Mother was called in while she was coming onto the beach.  The NMB STP responded, keeping everything quiet and dark with no lights to distract or disorient her. Once she nested and went back into the water the nest was roped off.  The next morning this nest was carefully relocated to safer part of the beach.

Many have come to this inventory. The NMB STP Volunteers are excited to talk with all that have come. They explain how important this work is to help in the survival of the Endangered Sea Turtle Species.  They explain all of this work is done under Strick guidelines, training and Permits.

This nest incubated for 56 days

The information behind this Nest, along with any information that we may know. The Importance of how protecting these nests will help in the survival of the Sea Turtle Species

Anything of interest will be shown to all that have come. A whole unhatched, unviable egg is shown.  It's about the size of a Ping-Pong ball. 

After the inventory is completed, all are welcome to look at the hatched eggs and egg chamber that the eggs incubated in.

The Inventory results of this nest

84 % hatch success rate

107 eggs in this nest, 1 used for DNA studies, 106 eggs relocated

106 eggs in this nest

89 hatched

17 whole undeveloped eggs

    6 of these eggs were piped

no live

no dead hatchlings

All Sea Turtles are endangered, they are federally, and state protected.  Special guidelines, training and permits are required to work with Nesting Sea Turtles, Nest, Hatchlings and stranded Sea Turtles.  

If you encounter a Nesting Sea Turtle, Hatchling or stranded Sea Turtle in NMB or Briarcliffe areas please call

NMB STP HOTLINE

843=213-9074

ANY TIME DAY OR NIGHT

loggerhead Sea Turtle Nest #16

 While we often talk about the commitment and dedication of the NMB, Briarcliffe, and No man's Land STP Patrol, we also are thankful for anyone calling in a sighting. Sometimes just a phone call from the public will make the difference in a nest being found and protected.  Very thankful for the person calling in a nesting Sea Turtle.

On this particular day the tides were high leaving very little beach. What was left of beach that had the crawl was quickly erased by footprints and the high tide.  Fortunately, someone had seen the endangered Sea Turtle nest, not knowing what to do they went to sleep after seeing this.  While out the next day they were telling the story, where other people told them to call the NMB STP Hotline.  

The sun was coming up, getting very hot. When the call came in the NMB STP responded very Quickly.  Sure enough an endangered Sea Turtle had nested on the top of the new dunes. As the dunes are still soft the typical way to find a potential egg chamber cannot be used.  Careful digging would be done, a long process as this nest can be up to two feet sometimes deeper.

This nest being at the top of the dunes will not make it if left in this location.  Careful relocation is done.  And the waiting game to see how this nest will do.

This nest incubated for 54 days.

The information about this incredible nest is given.

Once inventory is done the 1 Hatchling that was not able to make it out of the nest is released on the beach to start its journey as it makes its way from the beach to the Ocean.

The Inventory results

96.6% Hatch success rate

122 eggs were found in this nest. 1 use for DNA research 121 eggs relocated

121 eggs relocated in this nest

117 eggs hatched

4 whole eggs, all died early development

1 live hatchling

0 dead hatchling

All Sea Turtles are endangered, they are federally, and state protected.  Special guidelines, training and permits are required to work with Nesting Sea Turtles, Nest, Hatchlings and stranded Sea Turtles.

If you are in NMB or Briarcliffe areas and encounter a Nesting Sea Turtle, Hatchling or stranded Sea Turtle please call

NMB STP HOTLINE

843-213-9074

ANY TIME DAY OR NIGHT

Inventory on protected Sea Turtle nest #15

 This nest was found with a long crawl that led up to a row of beach chairs blocking its way, which this Mother Sea Turtle had to turn and go another direction to avoid.  Also signs that this Endangered Sea Turtle May have been bothered while laying her nest.   

Please remember all Sea Turtles are endangered and federally and state protected.  Shining lights on, touching, harassing or in any way hindering the Sea Turtles is not only stressful but also illegal.  They are out of their natural environment, easily scared and could result in her not nesting.

All of the endangered loggerhead sea turtle nest are protected and watched every day.  This particular nest was dug into close to the nest.  The tracks show the possibility that a dog may have dug close to this nest.

Eggs incubated for 55 days

Many NMB STP have come to help at this inventory.  They will talk with many curious bystanders and tell them about what is going on and all about the endangered Sea Turtle species.

  When we first arrive to do this inventory, a hermit crab was spotted in the sand.  This is not a beach crab and would not survive on the beach.  Maybee someone not knowing the Hermit Crab would not survive on the beach put him there?  Savannah quickly stepped up to take this Hemet Crab home to care for him there.  What a great home this Hermit Crab has now.  Thank you, Savannah.

One Hatchling was found in this nest that was not able to make it out of the nest on its own.  All are able to look at a safe distance while the inventory is completed.

The Hatchling will be released on the beach to make it to the Ocean on its own. All are kept at a safe distance as the Endangered Loggerhead Sea Turtle makes its way to the Ocean.

The inventory results of this nest

45% hatch rate of relocated eggs

114 eggs in this nest

111 relocated eggs in this nest

52 hatched eggs

59 unhatched or whole eggs

1 live hatchling

0 dead hatchlings

All Sea turtles are endangered, they are federally, and state protected.  Special guidelines, training and permits are required to work with Nesting Sea Turtles, Nest, Hatchlings and stranded Sea Turtles.

If you encounter a Nesting Sea Turtle, Hatchling or stranded Sea Turtle in NMB or Briarcliffe areas please call

NMB STP HOTLINE

843-213-9074

ANY TIME DAY OR NIGHT

Inventory on protected Loggerhead nest #14

 This nest was called in during the evening hours, the Sea Turtle Patrol Volunteers soon arrived.  Once they arrived all is kept quiet, no lights no one is close to her.  She is able to finish nesting and returned to the Ocean.

Many have come to the inventory on this nest.  The NMB STP love meeting all who may have been walking the beach and have come to see what is going on.  The NMB STP Volunteers shine as they love sharing their knowledge and passion about the endangered Sea Turtle Species.

A brief recap about this nest and what we are doing is explained to all.

NMB STP Volunteers are anxiously waiting to see what the results may be to this protected endangered Loggerhead Sea Turtle nest. They all know the hard work of protecting these nests will have on the fure survival of the Sea Turtle Species.

All are able to see what the Endangered Sea Turtle egg looks like, as there were a couple of eggs that did not develop.

.

All are welcome to see the eggs that have hatched the hole these eggs incubated in.

This nest incubated for 55 days

93.5% hatch success rate of relocated eggs

125 eggs laid, 1 used for DNA Research. 124 eggs incubated in this nest

124 eggs relocated

116 hatched eggs

8 whole eggs, all died early development

0 live hatchlings

0dead hatchlings

All Sea Turtles are endangered, they are federally, and state protected.  Special training, guidelines and permits are required to work with Nesting Sea Turtles, Nest, Hatchlings or stranded Sea Turtles.

If you are in NMB or Briarcliffe areas and encounter a Sea Turtle, Hatchling or stranded Sea Turtle please call

NMB STP HOTLINE

843-213-9074

ANYTIME DAY OR NIGHT

Inventory results of protected endangered loggerhead #13

This nest was called into the hotline around 2Am. as the Sea Turtle was heading back to the water, the Patrol members walking this segment were alerted to a possible nest. This nest was found in the middle of a busy beach with many lights, so this nest was relocated and protected with a cage.

A pretty good size nest with 137 eggs, 1 used for DNA Research, so 136 eggs relocated.

A nice turnout of NMB STP Volunteers and public that are here for the inventory.  Many have questions for the NMB STP Volunteers.  A brief recap of this nest and what we are doing is given before the start of inventory.  This nest incubated for 57 days

 Anything of interest is shared with all that have come. 

All are welcome to see the hole the eggs incubated in.  they can also look at the hatched eggs and any that are unhatched.

One Hatchling is released on the beach.  A line is formed so the Hatchling goes from the beach to the Ocean on its own.

The Volunteers of all ages are amazed as they see the Hatchlings Enter the Ocean.  Hoping this is one of the Hatchlings that may return to the beaches of SC if it makes it to adulthood. 

95% Hatch success rate

The great inventory results of nest # 13

137 eggs in this nest, 1 used for DNA research, 136 egg relocated.

136 eggs relocated

129 eggs hatched

7 whole eggs

  1 of these eggs were pipped

0 live hatchlings

0 dead hatchlings

 All Sea Turtles are endangered, they are federally, and state protected.  Special training, guidelines and permits are required to work with Nesting Sea Turtles, Hatchlings and stranded Sea Turtles.

If you encounter a Nesting Sea, Hatchling or stranded Sea Turtle in NMB or Briarcliffe areas please call

NB STP HOTLINE

843-213-9074

ANYTIME DAY OR NIGHT

Inventory on protected endangered Loggerhead nest #12

 This nest was found on a very windy day.  The body pit and signs were quickly being erased by the wind.  Thankfully NMB STP Volunteers who found this crawl and body pit had taken great pictures.  With the signs very faded, the pictures taken by these Volunteers were used to help locate where the eggs were.   

The fox had had interest in this nest a few days before emergence and tried to dig into the nest.  A screen was put over this nest to help protect it against anything sharing the beaches with us.  Because of this an additional cage was put over the screen to help protect this nest.  All is good the fox was never able to reach the eggs or hatchlings.

While this was at the time of tropical storm Debbie, the nest emerged just in time to be able to inventory this nest as the protection would have to be taken off that morning because of threat of the cages being washed into the Ocean.

A great outcome of this nest.

91 eggs in this nest, 1 used for DNA studdies. 90 relocated

97.8 hatch success rate of relocated nest

90 relocated eggs

1 whole egg unhatched egg