NMB SEA TURTLE NEST # 19

Its early sunrise this Sunday morning, the NMB STP  are all out walking different parts of the beach looking for a possible Sea Turtle Crawl or body pit (nest). Arlene is just starting her segment of the beach, when she finds a beautiful Crawl, following the crawl she finds a different looking crawl and body pit, but a body pit for sure.  Soon more NMB STP Volunteers have arrived to help.

THE LONG INCOMING CRAWL LEADING UP TO THE BODY PIT

                                             

THE BODY PIT (NEST) AND OUTGOING CRAWL AS SHE NEST AND RETURNS TO THE OPEN SEAS.

                                           

IF YOU LOOK CLOSLEY, YOU CAN SEE WHERE THIS MOTHER HAD CRAWLED, MADE A COMPLETE CIRCLE BEFORE RETURNING A LITTLE FURTHER, CLOSER TO THE DUNES TO LAY HER NEST. 

AS THE VISUAL SIGNS OF THE CRAWL IS VERY IMPORTANT TO DETERMINEWHERE THE NEST MAY BE.  PROBING IS DONE AND CHUCK QUICKLY FINDS THE EGG CAVITY

CHUCK HAS VERY CAREFULLY DUG DOWN TO THE EGG CHAMBER AND YES EGGS ARE FOUND.

BECAUSE THIS NEST IS IN A VERY HIGH TRAFFIC AREA, WITH MANY BRIGHT LIGHTS, THIS NEST IS RELOCATED TO A SAFER PART OF THE BEACH.

107 EGGS, 1 USED FOR DNA STUDDIES

SALLY AND CHUCK ARE PUTTING UP THE CAGE THAT WILL HELP PROTECT THIS NEST FROM ANYTHING SHARING THE BEACHES WITH US.

PROTECTED NMB NEST # 19 

OK, SO THE MORNING DOES NOT END THERE, WHILE THE NMB STP VOLUNTEERS ARE ALL GETTING READY TO LEAVE, LINDA HAS FOUND A POND TURTLE ON THE BEACH THAT IS NEED OF HELP. NOT A SEA TURTLE, BEACH AND OCEAN ARE NOT A GOOD PLACE FOR AQUATIC OR POND TURLES. 

 THIS POND TURTLE WILL NOT SURVIVE ON THE BEACH, CHUCK IS RELOCATING HIM TO A NEARBY POND. 

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, eggs and stranded Sea Turtles.

If you see a nesting Sea Turtle, Hatchling or stranded Sea Turtle in NMB or Briarcliffe please call 

The NMB STP Hotline

843-213-9074

Any time Day or night