Inventory on protected Loggerhead Sea Turtle Nest #4

 This protected endangered Loggerhead Sea Turtle nest started after a call coming into the hotline, about a nesting Sea Turtle. The endangered Sea Turtle was protected by NMB STP Volunteers so she could nest without any harassment, lights and nested in the quiet and darkness of the night. In the morning NMB STP Volunteers are there to relocate this nest as it had many lights from the Highrise's behind it.  This nest incubated for 54 days.

The NMB STP Volunteers are here to help; they will also talk with fellow volunteers and many beachgoers to share their knowledge and passion.  For many beachgoers this will be their first inventory: the information on how everyone can help in the future of the endangered Sea Turtle Species. One never knows how this interaction just might spark the interest in future conservationist.

Behind the scenes there are the dedicated volunteers taking down the poles, ropes and cage that they had in place to protect this nest while in the delicate incubation period.

A recap of how this nest was found, how many days it incubated, along with the number of eggs in this nest are shared with all that have come.  An explanation that this is a protected endangered Sea Turtle Loggerhead nest, special guidelines, training and permits are required to work with the nest.  It has been 3 full days as required to give any hatchlings that may have not made it out of the nest a chance to make it out on their own.  After 3 full days the nest will be inventoried, the stats will be documented in a national data base to help in the conservation continue to help save the endangered Sea Turtle species. 

The weather has been raining on and off, but the rain stopped for a brief relief just to give us enough time to do the inventory.  The rain did pick back up at the end of the inventory though.

What a surprise for all that have come to this inventory, 16 live baby Hatchlings were found in the nest during inventory.  These Hatchlings were unable to make it out of the nest.  They will be brought around so everyone can see at a safe distance and quiet environment.  They will be released on the beach to start their long journey in life.

The baby Hatchlings have made their way to the deep blue, all making their first crawl and then making their first swim.  All eager as they went into the water coming up to take a breath before diving a little deeper to make it past the waves.

Now for the inventory results

84.4% Hatch success rate

126 eggs in this nest, 125 relocated in this nest

           103 hatched eggshells

15 whole eggs 

                                                                       7 pipped eggs (Hatchling died before completely emerging0

                                         16 live Hatchlings (released on the beach)

All Sea Turtles are endangered; they are federally and state protected.  Special guideline's, 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