Inventory of protected endangered Loggerhead Sea Turtle Nest #3

 This is how this endangered Sea Turtle nest started.  The dedicated NMB STP have located this nest, they have put a cage, poles and rope around it to help protect it. They have spent all summer protecting and checking this nest to make sure nothing happens to it.  This nest was in a great location so was left In Situ (left natural, left where it was laid) The egg count will be a surprise until the inventory is completed.  This nest incubated for 57 days.

This In-Situ Nest had accumulated a great deal of sand inside of the cage area. The sand will have to be taken down to the original depth to be able to get the cage off and to the level of the nest. Only around the outside of the cage will be dug out with a shovel. Then carefully layer by layer the sand will be hand dug in case any baby Hatchlings are digging their way to the top. An of course moral support is always needed.

As the nest is taken down, this cage, poles, rope and signs will be put away and stored until the next season.  Flags will be put around to give direction for all that come, mainly protecting the fragile Dune system.

Many NMB STP Volunteers have come to help; they will talk with and share their knowledge and passion about the endangered Sea Turtle Species with fellow volunteers and any beachgoers who have come.

We are ready to start the inventory, many anxious NMB STP Volunteers and beachgoers are excited to see what the results are.  A recap of the history of this nest will be given before the inventory is conducted.

Now for the result about this nest is given. All of the hatchlings have made it out on their own.  All will be welcome to look at the hatched eggshells and the whole unviable eggs.

And now the moment we have all been waiting for, the results of this nest #3.

95 % Hatch success rate

   160 eggs in this nest

 152 Hatched shells

1 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, Hatchlings and stranded Sea Turtles.

If you encounter a Nesting Sea Turtleford Hatchling in the NMB or Briarcliffe areas, please call immediately.

NMB STP HOTLINE

843-213-9074

Inventory results of protected endangered Loggerhead Sea Turtle Nest # 2

 This is the beginning of the long process of protecting to the major emergence and then the inventory.  Every day the dedicated NMB STP Volunteers are checking this nest to make sure nothing happens to it. 

A great number of NMB STP Volunteers and bystanders are here to see the inventory of Nest #2(nest 1 and 2 two were done on the same night)

More Hatchlings are discovered in this nest that were not able to make it out on their own. Everyone will be able to look at a safe distance. they will also be able to look at an unviable egg.

The hatched eggshells and the whole unviable eggs are counted, this will be entered in a national database to help in the conservation efforts to help save the future of the Sea Turtle Species.

There were 8 live Hatchlings in this nest, they are released on the Beach so they can take their first crawls and then their first swim into the Ocean to start their journey of life.

And now the results of nest #2 incubating for56 days

There were 151 eggs in this nest, 150 relocated

97.3 % Hatch success rate

146 hatched eggshells

               3 whole eggs and 1 pipped eggs

5 deceased hatchlings

8 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, 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

The results are in for the endangered Loggerhead Sea Turtle nest #1

This is how this protected endangered Loggerhead Sea Turtle nest began!!!

The Hotline was notified about a Sea Turtle on the Beach. The NMB STP Volunteers were there Shortley to protect and make sure no one will bother her.  She spent a long time in the darkness of the evening, no one approaching her or bothering her.  All Sea Turtles are endangered; they are federally and state protected.

Once she nested, the body pit was roped off to protect the nest.  Early in the morning the NMB STP Volunteers were there to safely relocate and protect this nest.

Every day the dedicated NMB STP Volunteers are checking this nest to make sure everything is ok while the precious eggs are incubating. 

This nest incubated for 61 days when the major emergence occurred. (this is when the majority of the hatchlings made it out of the nest, making their way to the ocean).

 This will be a long journey for those little Hatchlings. They estimate that the Baby Hatchlings will swim nonstop to the gulf stream, to reach the Sargassum bed of seaweed.    Here they will spend the beginning of their juvenile years on this floating bed of seaweed.

Now for the day the hard work of all of the NMB STP Volunteers are waiting for, the results of this protected nest #1

It has been 3 full days after the emergence, (these three days will give and hatchlings time to get out on their own and protocol.

Because all Sea Turtles are endangered, special guidelines, training and permits are required to do this. The results will be entered in a national database to help in the future conservation efforts to help save the Sea Turtle Species

 Many excited and anxious NMB STP Volunteers and Beachgoers have come to see the inventory.

There are 8 Live hatchlings in this nest.  They will be carefully brought around for all to be able to see, also everyone will get to look at one of the unviable eggs.

The hatched egg along with some of the eggs that did not make it, this is a natural occurrence in the nest. The results will be shared in a national data base to help in the future conservation efforts to help save the endangered Sea Turtle species.

A nice and respectful group of beachgoers and NMB STP Volunteers are able to watch the first crawl of the Endangered Sea Turtle Hatchlings as they enter the Ocean to begin their Journey.

Now is the time we have all been waiting for: 

The inventory results

This nest had 133 eggs,132 eggs relocated

91% Hatch success rate;

120 hatched Shells

              12 whole or enveloped egg

                                 8 live hatchlings released on the beach

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