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