NMB protected endangered Loggerhead Sea Turtle nest #15

 Wow the wind can do so much to the crawl and body pit of the endangered Sea Turtle.  As Volunteers of the NMB STP they are very aware that with the wind and rain, sometimes tracks can be very faint to almost nonexistent. But the NMB STP are on the lookout for all of this. 

The track coming up from the ocean in the wet part of the sand stand out, still very clear to see and recognize.  Ther are some very excited NMB STP Volunteers this morning as they know how much their participation in finding crawls and nest will have on the future of the endangered sea turtle species.  All making the difference to help save the endangered Sea Turtle species.

All are excited to have found this crawl this morning.

Many beachgoers are in the right place at the right time.  The NMB STP Volunteers are in their element; they are always so excited to share their knowledge and passion on what we are doing and why.  They will learn this is done only by permits, with special training and guidelines.  Many will go home with a new appreciation on how we can all help the endangered sea turtle species. One never knows what impact this may have on some, to make this their future endeavors of helping in the conservation efforts.

As you can see in this picture, how the wind has blown much of the body pit.  We were thankful the person who saw this Sea Turtle while nesting and called this in. They do have experience with Sea Turtles and kept their distance and did not interfere. 

Probing is done and eggs were quickly found.  This is a very busy and unprotected part of the beach.  To give this nest the best chance of survival, these eggs will be relocated according to the endangered species guidelines and permit.

89 eggs were found in this egg chamber, a small nest.  There were also a few eggs that had a Calcium tail attached to the egg.  Both of these could indicate it is towards the end of her nesting season.  But we will only know this once the DNA results come back.

Once the eggs are carefully relocated to a safer part of the beach, a cage and poles will be put up around this new egg chamber to protect the eggs during their incubation. Signs indicating this is a protected endangered Sea Turtle nest will be added to this nest also.  

One egg will be used for DNA studies; the outer shell will carry just the DNA of this particular mother at this point. 

The information gathered from this egg will be shared in a national database to help with many of the unknowns of the elusive sea turtle species.  Just some of the information from the eggshell will let us know how often she is nesting, where she has nested, also how many how many years in between she may have nested just to name a few.

Great job to All of the NMB STP Volunteers who are out walking every day and everyone helping to make sure this nest is protected.  They are all making the difference in helping to save the future of the endangered sea turtle species.

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 the NMB or Briarcliffe areas please call

NMB STP HOTLINE

843-213-9074

ANYTIME DAY OR NIGHT

 NORTH MYRTLE BEACH SEA TURTLE TALKS

THIS IS A FREE PRESENTATION AT THE NMB HISTORICAL MEUSEUM ON WEDNESDAYS FROM 2-3 given by the NMB STP outreach program.

THIS IS FOR ALL AGES YOUNG AND OLD. COME AND LEARN ABOUTH THE ENDANGERED SEA TURTLE SPECIES NESTING RIGHT HERE IN THE CAROLINAS.

A nice way to spend the afternoon, all are welcome!!!

NMB STP ENDANGERED LOGGERHEAD NEST #14

What a beautiful morning, upon finding this beautiful crawl leading up to the perfect body pit (nest). A delight for these NMB STP Volunteers, but their work is not done yet, they will keep on walking to make sure no other nest are to be found on the rest of their segment. You never know if one or more nests will be found on a particular day.  They have completed their segment and return to this body pit to help to protect this endangered Sea Turtle Nest. Soon more NMB STP Volunteers eagerly have come to help. All knowing the importance of protecting the endangered Sea Turtle species.

This beautiful crawl and body pit will be examined to determine the best possible place to start looking for the eggs so they can be protected.  This will be done by a permitted, trained Volunteer according to guidelines for the endangered Sea Turtle Nest. As you can see in the background the many bright lights would bring the hatchlings towards the bright lights.  To give these baby hatchlings the best and safest chance they will be relocated to a safer part of the beach.

Many Volunteers will talk about the elusive endangered Sea Turtle Species.  They will talk about what is being done and the importance of protecting them to help in the survival of the future of the Sea Turtle species. This nest had 96 eggs with 1 used for DNA research, 95 eggs safely relocated.

Great job to all of the NMB STP Volunteers out walking today and every day, and all that are out helping to protect the endangered Sea Turtle Nest.   They are all making the difference to help save the species.

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

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

NMB STP HOTLINE

843-213-9074

ANYTIME DAY OR NIGHT

NMB protected endangered Sea Turtle Nest #13

 One of the beautiful sunrise mornings the NMB STP Volunteers are out walking their segments. What a beautiful crawl with a possible nest.  There were just a few signs this may be a nest, but not the typical easy to see signs.  It may be a challenge to find these eggs if they are here.  But the NMB STP Permitted Volunteer is well versed and trained to locate the eggs.

Probing is done and eggs were found within a few minutes!  While this nest looks like it's in the ideal place to leave In-situ (where it was laid), it will have to be relocated.  This nest is close to the Dunes, but the bright lights would disorient the baby Hatchlings once they emerge, drawing them away from the ocean and to the danger of going the wrong way.

Because this nest will be relocated the NMB STP Volunteers will count the eggs.

103 eggs were found in this egg chamber, 1egg will be used for DNA studies, 102 eggs are relocated.

 An egg chamber will be made to replicate the original nest.  The same depth with it wider at the bottom to resemble an inverted Light bulb will be dug to transfer these precious endangered Loggerhead Sea Turtle eggs.  Many NMB STP Volunteers have come to help.  Many beachgoers that have come to see what we are doing. They greeted with excited NMB STP Volunteers that are eagerly sharing much information about the Endangered Sea Turtle Species.

A cage is put up around the new egg chamber, poles and signs indicating this is a protected Endangered Sea Turtle Nest

Great job to all of the NMB STP Volunteers out walking today and everyday looking for the elusive endangered Sea Turtle Crawls and Nest and all the have come to help.  They are all making the difference in helping to save the endangered Sea Turtle Species.

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

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

NMB STP HOTLINE

843-213-9074

ANY TIME DAY OR NIGHT

NMB protected endangered loggerhead Sea Turtle Nest # 12

A beautiful crawl (tracks) coming and going. This is hard work for her as she is dragging her heavy body up onto the sand using just her flippers. She will then need dig the preciouses egg chamber, with just her two back flippers. She will typically dig down 18-24 inches deep, sometimes deeper depending on the species. Then it's time for her to lay her eggs, burry them back up and then throw sand with her flippers to disguise her nest.  After all of this she then will drag her heavy body back into the Ocean. Exhausting work for her and she may repeat this for a typical 2-6 times during the year she nest.  She will not eat during this time, so if you see a Sea Turtle trying to nest, please stay back, no light and certainly to not hinder or touch her. She is out of her environment and gets scared and stressed very easily, using up her precious's energy needed to nest.

 Well, this endangered Loggerhead Sea Turtle mother did her job very well.  Once the endangered Sea Turtle lays her eggs, she will do her best to disguise the egg chamber. A long body with a couple of places they could possibly be.  While probing is done to locate the egg chamber, the NMB STP Volunteers are in their happy place, they get to talk to many beachgoers who are very curious.  Many will go home with a new appreciation of the endangered Sea Turtle conservation efforts to save the Endangered Sea Turtle species.

They eggs are carefully relocated into a new egg chamber made to replicate the original nest according to SCDNR guidelines by trained NMB STP Volunteers and permits. Since this nest is relocated, we take that opportunity to count the eggs. 

There were 119 eggs in this nest. One is used for DNA studies so 118 relocated. 

Once relocated, a cage, poles with rope is put around the nest. A sign indicating this is a protected endangered Sea Turtle Nest. 

We have Corrina's Grandchildren that will help put up a flag and patriotic on the poles. 

Great job to all of the NMBSTP Volunteers, all making the difference in helping to save the future of the endangered Sea Turtle species.

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 immediately

NMB STP HOTLINE

843-213-9074

ANYTIME DAY OR NIGHT