NMB Loggerhead nest # 20

A beautiful, endangered Loggerhead Sea Turtle crawl has been found by the NMB STP Volunteers this morning.

The crawl is looked at to see what and where this sea turtle may have nested. the incoming crawl along with the outgoing crawl will be looked at.

unfortunately, some of the crawl used to help determine the starting point is erased by human footprints, as it appears someone could have been near her while nesting.  please keep in mind that Sea Turtles are endangered, they are federally protected.  The NMB STP Volunteers wait patiently while the egg chamber is located.
 

The egg chamber is found, as this is a very busy beach, with many lights, this nest will be relocated to a safer part of the beach.  There were 73 eggs in this nest.  As the season goes on, we are seeing egg clutches with a smaller number of eggs.  Sea Turtles will lay up to 6 times sometimes more during a season. Toward the later part of the nesting season, they will typically lay smaller amounts of eggs.  

One egg will be used for the important research. This will be shared in a national data base and used to answer many of the unknowns of the Endangered Sea Turtles.  Some data such as where the Nesting mother nested, how often she may have nested, how many years in-between nesting.  The studies have identified mothers, daughters, siblings just to name a few.

The eggs are protected with a cage, poles and rope and a sign indicating that this is a protected endangered Sea Turtle nest.

Great job to all the NMB, Briarcliffe and No Mans land STP Volunteers out walking this morning and every morning so the endangered Sea Turtle nest can be protected.  All making the difference in the survival of the endangered Sea Turtle species.

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 and Strandings.

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

NMB STP HOTLINE

843-213-9074

ANY TIME DAY OR NIGHT