2019 Turtle Season

  • CBTW’s 2023 Green Turtle Nest

    We at Caswell Beach Turtle Watch were very excited earlier this season when we suspected one of our new nests (#66) was a Green Turtle nest (see July 11 post).

    Our suspicions were correct! We were so excited to see the very first hatchling so that we could confirm the status of this nest!  It was a beautiful hatchling!!  Green Turtles have a very distinct markings. The turtles trickled out over a couple of days.  Then the King Tides arrived and the storm was approaching.  We were given permission by NCWRC to emergency excavate emerged nests early (we need this approval for any variance to their standard regulations), so we did so at almost dark on Monday night before the storm hit. 

    We were sad to find that not all of the hatchlings made it out of this special nest due to the heat.  Here is the story of our Green Turtle nest!

  • Year End Summary – 2019

    Crawls
    o 105 Nest
    o 78 False Crawls
    Nests
    o 44 Relocated nests– 41.9% (NC 22.4%)
     27 nests relocated from east end
     17 nests relocated above tide line
    o 8 Wild nests
    o 53 In Situ nests
    o 3 nesting sites
     (1 probable green turtle)
    o Averaged 113 eggs per nest, ranged 54-185
    Nests loss
    o August king tides
     #24 – 41 dead hatchlings
     #25 – 25 dead hatchlings
     #37 – all unhatched eggs
    o September king tides & Dorian
     #84 and #86 each had a few hatchlings emerge
     #89, #92-#97

    11,977 Eggs +(#94 lost, 3 unlocated wild nests)(NC 227,016)
    o Relocated nest
     5340 eggs
     3979 hatchlings
     74.5% hatch rate
    o In Situ nests
     6637 eggs
     5573 hatchlings
     83.9% hatch rate
    o 9552 Hatched eggs
    o 8392 Emerged hatchlings – 70% emergence success (NC 54.4%)
    Overall 78.6% hatch success (NC 66.2%)
    Incubation Days
    o Average 52.8 days
    o Range 46-67 days
    Crawls
    o Average crawl width 35.6
    o Ranged 26-44 inches
    Volunteers
     91 Volunteers on our list
     Volunteers reporting time and travel
     5176 Hours reported
     25,927 Miles driven

  • Winding Down The Season

    Rather than a new topic each day, here are the happenings combined into this one “Winding Down” topic.

    Sunday, September 8 – Nothing to report

    Monday, September 9 – Nothing to report

    Tuesday, September 10 – Nothing to report

    Wednesday, September 11 – No activity on Caswell Beach, but OKI had 2 hatchlings emerge yesterday from a nest that was lightly overwashed.

    Thursday, September 12 – Nothing to report

    Friday, September 13 – We are checking everyday but still nothing.  The ATV has been turned in so we are on foot now. We have set a date for our end of year celebration for October 3rd, 5-7 p.m.

    Saturday, September 14 – Nothing to report

    Saturday, September 21 – Still nothing from our nest but Ocean Isle posted on Facebook that one of their nests that was under water during the king tides and Dorian hatched with 72% hatching. There is still hope.  We are counting days and will not do any excavations until at least 70 days. 

    Tuesday, September 24 – Today is day 70 for nest 89 and was inventoried this morning.

    • There were 92 shells, 1 pipped, 4 unhatched and 66 dead hatchlings.  Apparently some hatchlings emerged between the king tides and Dorian.
    • Oak Island did have a boil with 58 hatchlings emerging yesterday.  It was a nest that was covered with water from the king tides.  You just never know.
    • We still have 5 nests.

    Saturday, September 28 – Inventory results from nests excavated at 70 days:

    • Nest 92: 114 unhatched eggs and 8 shells.  The unhatched eggs felt like they had hatchlings so we open one to see if it was still alive.  It was not but was probably 4-5 weeks developed.  The empty shells looked like hatched eggs
    • Nest 93: 50 unhatched eggs, 1 pipped and 69 shells.  There was a mass of dead hatchlings but too decomposed to attempt counting.  There were a few dead hatchlings in the sidewalls that were on there way to emerging.  No way to know if any made it out.

    Sunday, September 29 – Nest 95 inventory results: 121 unhatched eggs.  We opened an egg to check progress and embryos were about 5-6 weeks.

    Don’t know if you’ve been to the beach lately but there’s piles of grass straw with trash all in it so be careful if you walk in it.  There’s wood of all sorts on the beach.  There was a beach sign from the Bahamas amongst some of the debris so no doubt where that one came from.  Anyway, if you come for a walk please bring a bag or 2 to pick up some of the little stuff.  Caswell Beach is considering hiring someone with equipment to clean up too.  We may want to do an organized walk later.

    Tuesday, October 1

    • Nest 96 inventory results:  119 unhatched eggs.  There were a bunch of unfertilized (pink squished) eggs and then a good number that had embryos that were distinguishable but not very far along.
    • Nest 97 had fox, coyote or other canine dig into it during the night and then before I got out there the tide had covered it, washed away the green and left a pool of water.  We went ahead and excavated 111 unhatched eggs and have no way of knowing if the animal took any.  The embryos were young.
    • That was the last nest….all the adversities all in the same day.  It was a great year in spite!
    • Thank you again for a wonderful season.
  • Saturday, September 7

    Nothing happening out there yet.  We will continue morning patrol for the next week or so, probably on foot. 

    We are trying to plan a gathering for end of season. Gary wants a cookout…you know him and his hotdogs!  LOL!  Probably end of September, first of October. 

    I didn’t realize until today that I had not reported the 2 nests that did hatch during the storm were 85 & 90. Lan was keeping check on 85 and sent pictures of when it cracked Wednesday morning. We went by to check on it and you could see hatchlings sleeping so we planned to go back just before high tide. The tide came in quick so Lan called to report water in the runway. When we got back the hole was back and they were moving. We made them an exit ramp and off they were. We had to take them across the tide pool and the waves were so rough but at least they were off. Inventory results: 107 shells, 4 unhatched and 9 live hatchlings still in the nest. Nest 91 decided to have a few emerge Thursday. Inventory: 81 shells, 19 unhatched and 6 pipped. 

  • Friday, September 6

    I hope that everyone is okay.  It feels like we, as an island in the path of a major hurricane, faired really well.  Doesn’t look like much structural damage just limbs.

    Morning Patrol:

    • We have lost a couple of nests.
    • Nest 94 is gone, washed away.  There was a couple of eggs and the cage in the dunes.
    • Nest 97 had standing water during the king tides and was overwashed during the storm. 
    • The green nesting site was filled in with sand and water.

    Remaining possible nests:

    • Nest 89 is possible but not probable.  It has an extra 5-6 inches of sand.
    • Nest 96 is possible and because of stage of incubation, more hope than 89.
    • Nests 95, 93 and 92 all look like they were overwashed but not terribly.  We did put a couple of rolls of green at each of these.  Please put the green out and check periodically but I wouldn’t be concerned about sitting.
    • We could have more hatchlings….it’s possible.  Regardless, we have had a very successful season already having released more than twice as many hatchlings as we would in any year.
  • Wednesday, September 4

    Morning all.  Hope you are all secure.  We have removed all of the green and tools from the beach and will probably make one last sweep later today.

    Nest 82 and 90 hatched and were inventoried.   82 had 104 eggs, 7 unhatched and 1 live hatchling.  90 had 115 shells, 11 unhatched, 2 pipped and 58 live hatchlings.

    It’s hard to believe we are nearing the end of the season.  Only 9 nests left out of 105.  We’ve released 9195 hatchlings to the sea already.  We can be proud of our successes!

    Stay safe and we will check back after the storm.

  • Monday, September 2
    • Nest 79 was dug into by a fox again.  It dug at the sides and was able to dig into the top through the cage.  It may be coincidental but we got a phone call that there were hatchlings in the street near the pier.  We put 3 more in the water.
    • Yesterday, collected a dead hatchling from the street near Ocean Greens.  Hatchling tracks behind nest 84 and 94.  It will be recorded as wildnest 105 and sent for DNA sampling.
    • Nests 94 and 97 have been seriously overwashed.
    • Nests 89 and 96 just lightly overwashed.

    Inventories:

    • Nest 79: 107 shells, 14 unhatched, 1 pipped live, 1 pipped dead, 1 dead and 3 live hatchlings
    • Nest 81.  It had 38 hatchlings emerge during the high tide Saturday night.  The team kept the green secure and the water away for the night.  With higher impending tides, the nest was excavated Sunday morning early.  Inventory results: 57 shells, 43 unhatched and 8 live hatchlings.  This nest was invaded by a fox on 7/26 and 11 shells were recovered and 1 damaged egg was removed from the nest and buried with the shells. The hatchling from that damaged egg emerged last Thursday, made its way to the water and had us all puzzled as to where the tracks came from but finally finding the spot and finding the shells jogged all the memories.  Who would ever have thought that scratched open shell would have produced a hatchling.  Maybe it was the Harry Potter hatchling!
    • Nest 84:  132 shells, 126 dead hatchlings, 10 unhatched and 2 pipped.  It’s good to hope that the 6 made it out before the tide overwashed.  Too bad we didn’t see them emerging but the waves were raging.
    • Nest 87: 81 shells, 25 unhatched, 1 pipped and 69 live hatchlings that were tangled in roots
    • Nest 88: 107 shells, 8 unhatched and 7 live hatchlings

    Please give your August time sheets to your team leader.  NCWRC collects the paper copies so if you choose to email the .pdf, I will print them again.

    I hope that you are all preparing for the storm.  We are taking everything off the beach as we can.  There are several tools that we picked up along the way and you can go by town hall and retrieve them from the ATV.

    All shirts have been taken to Caswell Beach Town Hall and can be purchased there.   $15 for short sleeve and $20 for long sleeve

  • Sunday, September, 1

    It’s hard to describe how high the tide came up.  We have excavated every nest that had had any emergence.  We have removed green from the nests that water was running through.  We have moved some green back to the dune.  Please use caution if and when you go out to sit.  There really was no where to walk this during this mornings high tide.

    Nest 86 had one hatchling around 3:00 yesterday afternoon and then another 60 or so just before dark.

    I believe nest 84 hatched after the water receded last night.  There were lots of tracks in the dune behind the nest.

    Inventory results:

    • Nest 63 – 90 shells, 20 unhatched, 6 pipped (2 live and 4 dead), 3 dead hatchlings and 2 live hatchlings
    • Nest 76 – 111 shells, 7 unhatched, 7 dead and 6 live
    • Nest 77 – 103 shells, 9 unhatched
    • Nest 78 – 105 shells, 26 unhatched and 11 live
    • Nest 80 – 91 shells, 17 unhatched and 83 live hatchlings
    • Nest 83 – 88 shells, 14 unhatched and 5 live
    • Nest 86 – 104 shells, 18 unhatched and 35 dead hatchlings
  • Saturday, August 31

    Morning patrol:  

    • Nests with hatchlings: 63(1or2), 76(3-4), 78(couple), 83(1)
    • Nest with crabs: 81, 77, 88

    Last night:  

    • Nest 71 inventory – 114 shells, 13 unhatched, 3 pipped, 2 dead and 1 live hatchling
  • Friday, August 30

    Morning patrol:  

    • Fox prints all around nests 63 and 79, tried to dig in again at 63.
    • Hatchling tracks in 81, 76, and 63
    • Crabs in 79, 81, 84, 78 and 88
    • Nest 78 hatched during the night with lots of tracks

    Last night:  

    • Nest 72 – 107 shell, 11 unhatched and 1 live hatchling
    • Nest 73 – 44 shells, 87 unhatched, 1 pipped and 3 live
    • Nest 74 – 88 shells, 41 unhatched
  • Thursday, August 29

    Morning patrol:  

    • The tides are coming in.  Nests 84 and 94 are in danger of overwash.  Nesting site 2 was overwashed last night
    • Nests 71, 72, 74, 76 and  77 had more hatchlings during the night

    Last night:  

    • Nest 63 had an indent @7:45, boiled @8:33 with 79 hatchlings.  Team on the way home at 8:45.  Now that’s how you do it.
    • Nest 76 hatched.  3 around 7:30, 38 more @11:25 and a bunch more during the night
    • Nest 77 boiled about 10:00 with 110 hatchlings, at least half were seriously disoriented
  • Wednesday, August 28

    Morning patrol:  

    • Nest 71 boiled overnight
    • Nests 73 & 74 both had more hatchling tracks and crab holes.
    • Nest 74 had 1 dead hatchling (crab)
    • Nest 88 had small crab hole

    Last night: 

    Inventories:

    • Nest 69 – 100 shells, 4 unhatched
  • Tuesday, August 27

    Morning patrol:  

    • Fox dug into nest 97- 2 shells on top
    • Nest 74 hatched with lots of tracks
    • Nest 73 lots of tracks in the runway

    Last night: 

    • The bugs were vicious!  Please don’t stay out there when it’s like that.  Just secure your nests and let them do it.

    Inventories:

    • Nest 66 – 113 shells, 8 unhatched eggs and 1 pipped
    • Nest 75 – 99 shells, 15 unhatched eggs and 5 live hatchlings
  • Monday, August 26

    Morning patrol:  

    • Fox invasion at nest 81.  11 shells on the beach plus 1 broken egg still in the nest.
    • Nest 75 had a few hatchling tracks
    • Nest 73 had a small crab hole

    Last night: 

    Inventories:

    • Nest 37 – 50 unhatched eggs and 13 spacer eggs still in the nest.  43 shells were counted the day the fox invaded.
    • Nest 47 – 34 unhatched eggs and 13 shells.  6 shells were counted on the beach on 7/28 (fox)
    • Nest 67 – 130 shells, 7 unhatched, 1 pipped and 5 live hatchlings
  • Sunday, August 25

    Morning patrol:  

    • Nest 69 had more hatchlings during the night and 1 crab victim on top.
    • Nest 72 hatched during the night  but hard to tell how many
    • Nest 74 had a crab hole

    Last night: 

    • Nest 69 boiled with 98 around 9:30.
    • Nest 73 had 19 very disoriented hatchlings around 8:45

    Inventories:

    • Nest 99 – 43 shells.  20 shells and 3 broken eggs were counted the day the fox invaded.
  • Saturday, August 24

    Morning patrol:  

    • Nest 72 had a little crevice and a couple of crab legs.  I’m just telling what we saw.
    • Nest 63- fox tried to dig in again but deterred by the wire
    • Nest 75 had a few more hatchlings emerge during the night
    • Last night: 
    • Nest 66 hatched with 102 around 11:30.
    • Nest 75 hatched around 9:30 with 86 hatchlings

    Inventories:

    • Nest 59 – 92 shells, 16 unhatched and 1 pipped
    • Nest 60 – 102 shells, 24 unhatched, 2 pipped, 4 dead and 4 live
    • Nest 62 – 123 shells, 3 unhatched, 2 dead hatchlings and 13 live hatchlings
    • Nest 64 – 101 shells, 18 unhatched and 1 live hatchling
    • Nest 65 – 90 shells, 2 pipped, 2 dead hatchlings and 18 live hatchlings
    • Nest 68 – 118 shells, 5 unhatched and 3 live hatchlings
    • Nest 70 – 112 shells, 4 unhatched, 5 pipped and 12 live hatchlings
  • Friday, August 23

    Morning patrol:  

    • Nest  47 hatched during the night.  Hatchling and crab tracks and 1 dead hatchling in the runway
    • Nest 62 had more hatchling and crab tracks
    • Nest 65 had lots of hatchling tracks
    • Nests 70 had more hatchlings during the night
    • Crab tracks abound in nests 59, 60, 66, 71, 72, 99

    Last night: 

    • Nest 67 hatched around 9:30 with 117 hatchlings
  • Thursday, August 22

    Morning patrol:  

    • Nest  99 hatched during the night with lots of tracks
    • Nest 62 had more hatchlings emerge during the night with 1 dead in the runway
    • Nest 65 had a big crabhole and 1 hatchling track
    • Nest 60 had more hatchlings emerge and 1 dead in the runway
    • Nests 64 and 70 have crab holes

    Last night: 

    • Nest 68 had one turtle come out at 8:46
    • Nest 60 had 2 hatchlings around 9:00
    • Nest 62 had one more hatchling around 8:00
    • Nest 65 had 3 hatchlings during the evening
  • Wednesday, August 21

    7 boils in the last 12 hours!  Over 400 hatchlings were counted between 8:30 and midnight!  GO TEAM!!

    Morning patrol:  

    • Nest 59 hatched sometime during the night with lots of tracks
    • Nest 62 hatch early morning with the last one in the runway.  All straight to the water.
    • Nest 60 had a crab hole and 1 more hatchling track
    • Nest 64 had a few more over night and 2 this morning
    • Nest 65 had a couple of hatchlings at the nest this morning
    • Nest 70 had a crab hole and a few more tracks

    Last night: 

    • Nest 70 had 96 hatchlings starting about 8:30. 
    • Nest 68 had 101 hatchlings straight to the water around 11:50 
    • Nest 60 had 81 hatchlings around midnight
    • Nest 64 had a slow boil with 84 hatchlings by 10-ish and then another 4 after 11:00  
    • Nest 65 had 40 more hatchlings emerge around 8:30

    Inventories:

    • Nest 58 – 110 shells, 5 unhatched, 8 pipped and 19 live hatchlings some of which were pretty stuck in hard wet sand
  • Tuesday, August 20

    Morning patrol:  

    • Nest 58 had a few more hatchling tracks and 1 dead hatchling

    Last night: 

    • Nest 58 had 2 hatchlings emerge
    • Nest 65 had 1 hatchling finally appear about midnight

    Inventories:

    • Nest 46 – 104 shell, 4 unhatched, 2 pipped and 3 live hatchlings (this nest lost 16 eggs to a fox on 8/4)
    • Nest 57- 84 shells, 53 unhatched and 14 live hatchlings (this is the nest we moved when it was almost 2 weeks old)
    • Nest 45 and 58 hatched during the heavy rains on Friday/Saturday.  Since crabs started the excavation last evening by bringing shells to the surface of nest 45, we decided to go ahead and complete the inventory. 
    • Nest 45 – 93 shells, 5 unhatched and 2 dead hatchlings (probably crab victims)
  • Monday, August 19

    Morning patrol:  

    • Nest 46 had 1 more hatchling emerge
    • Crab holes in 65, 45 and 57

    Last night: 

    Inventories:

    • Nest 54 –  54 shell, 1 unhatched and 1 pipped
    • Nest 61- 102 shells, 11 unhatched and 11 live
  • Sunday, August 18

    MAN!!! Can you believe all the rain.  If you get a chance to check your nests while its dry today, the wind has blown hard too. 

    Morning patrol:  

    2 dead hatchlings in the sand, closest nest is 67

    Inventory Nest 51 – 19 shells, 116 unhatched and 4 live hatchlings

  • Saturday, August 17

    Morning patrol:  

    • Nest 46 hatched during the night 
    • Nest 57 hatched and 1 dead hatchling (crab victim) still in the runway

    Last night: 

    Inventories:

    • Nest 52 – 104 shells, 12 unhatched, 3 dead and 1 live hatchlings
    • Nest 56 – 121 shells, 2 unhatched, 7 pipped and 9 live hatchlings
  • Friday, August 16

    Morning patrol:  It has rained so hard it’s hard to tell if anything has hatched but nest 46 had a big indent, nests 52 & 54 had big crab holes

    Last night:

    • Nest 54 hatched a little after 10
    • Nest 51 had 2 hatchlings at 9:00

    Inventories:

    Nest 50 – 103 shells, 11 unhatched and 5 live hatchlings

  • Thursday, August 15

    Morning patrol:

    • Nest 62 crab hole and egg shell on top
    • Nest 61 crab hole, 1 hatchling track
    • 54 crab hole
    • 45 crab hole
    • 56 crab hole, 1 dead hatchling
    • 52 crab hole

    Last night:

    • Nest 51 had 9 hatchlings emerge

    Inventories:

    • Nest 48 – 131 shells, 19 unhatched and 4 live
    • Nest 49 –  88 shells, 47 unhatched, 1 dead and 3 live hatchlings
    • Nest 53 – 114 shells, 14 unhatched and 4 live hatchlings
  • Wednesday, August 14

    Morning patrol:

    It was raining and has rained enough to cover any evidence of tracks.  Nest 63 and 61 both had crevices that were big enough to indicate hatched but it was just too hard to tell.   Green is at every nest up to 61 plus 63.  We will take it to 62 after an inventory tonight.

    Last night:

    • Nest 52 had 72 hatchlings making it to the water around 10:00
    • Nest 56 hatched around 11:30 with 65 hatchlings

    Inventory:

    None last night

  • Tuesday, August 13

    Morning patrol:

    • Nest 51 had 1 hatchling track all the way to the sea.  We will call it first emergence.
    • Nest 50 hatched with lots of hatchlings emerging during the night. 1 dead hatchling nearby.
    • Nest 49 had lots of tracks.

    Last night:

    • Nest 53 had 12 more hatchlings around 11:00 last night

    Inventory:

    • Nest 42 – 115 shells, 6 unhatched, 1 pipped and 6 live hatchlings
    • Nest 43 – 85 shells, 4 unhatched, 2 dead and 2 live hatchlings
    • Nest 44 – 84 shells, 29 unhatched, 19 pipped and 13 live hatchlings
    • Nest 55 – 86 shells, 6 unhatched, 25 pipped, 7 dead and 55 live hatchlings
    • Nest 104 – 93 shells, 2 unhatched and 1 dead hatchling
  • Monday, August 12

    Morning patrol:

    • Nest 48 hatched during the night with lots of tracks
    • Nest 49 had a couple of tracks- 1st emergence
    • Nest with hatchling tracks- 43(few), 55(1), 49(few) 

    Last night:

    • Nest 53 boiled around 9:00 with 100 +/- hatchlings

    Inventory:

    • Nest 18 – 59 shells, 4 unhatched and 11 spacer eggs
    • Nest 32 –  104 shells, 2 unhatched, 3 pipped and 1 live hatchling
    • Nest 34 – 126 shells, 6 unhatched and 1 dead hatchling
    • Nest 41 – 110 shells, 5 unhatched, 2 pipped and 1 live hatchling
  • Sunday, August 11

    Morning patrol:

    • Nests 44 had a dead hatchling, 55 had 2 turtle tracks, 42 had 1 dead hatchling, 2 tracks to the water and “9” written in runway, 41 had a big crab hole and an eggshell on top
    • Crab holes – 79, 43, 51, 32, 42, 41

    Last night:

    • Nest 55 had a dead hatchling by the nest
    • Nest 104! Wildnest.  Jamie saw tracks converging so we dug and came across hatchlings so we left it for inventory on Tuesday.

    Inventory:

    • Nest 30 – 115 shells and 7 unhatched
    • Nest 35 – 106 shells, 13 unhatched and 2 pipped
    • Nest 38 – 111 shells and 9 unhatched
    • Nest 40 – 110 shells, 4 unhatched, 6 pipped, 4 dead and 7 live
    • Nest 103 wildnest located and inventoried- 136 shells, 1 unhatched and 1 live hatching 
  • Saturday, August 10

    Morning patrol:

    • Nests 43 and 55 hatched during the night
    • Nests had more hatchlings: 18 (1), 44 (lots), 55 (2 live in the runway and 2 already watched by visitors), 40 (few + 1 dead) 
    • Crab holes – 41, 48 and 68

    Last night:

    • Nest 32 had 2 more hatchlings emerge
    • Nest 42 boiled around 10:45 with 69 hatchlings
    • Nest 44 had a slow boil with 41 hatchlings eventually making it to the water

    Inventory:

    • Nest 29 – 147 shells and 20 unhatched (Big Nest 167 eggs)
    • Nest 36 – 112 shells, 5 unhatched, 3 pipped and 2 live
    • Nest 39 – 100 shells, 4 unhatched and 7 live
  • Friday, August 9

    Did y’all hear the Hallelujah Chorus a little after 10 last night?  Nest 18 finally hatched at 66 days.  Team 2 has been sitting at nest 18 for 2 WHOLE WEEKS and finally….

    Morning patrol:

    • Nests had more hatchlings: 41 (several), 39 (several), 42 (1), 40 (several), 35 (some), 34 (1), 
    • Crab holes – 73, 74, 32, 55

    Last night:

    • Nest 41 boiled @9:15 with 87 hatchlings 
    • Nest 34 boiled at 9:45 with 116 hatchlings
    • Nest 18 boiled @10:15-ish with 57 hatchling
    • Nest 32 caved in at 11, boiled at 12:40 with 95 hatchlings
    • Nest 42 had 1 hatchling at 11:30

    Inventory nest 27 – 107 shells, 6 unhatched, 1 dead and 1 live hatchling

  • Thursday, August 8

    WHEW!  Turtles are popping up all over!

    Crabs at nests 40 and 34

    More hatchling tracks at 36 (1), 30 (several), 35 (1), 39 (1), 38 (more)

    Wild nest #101 located at 601 walkway. 

    We have had hatchling tracks all over the area so I went out this morning to attempt locating.  When I found nest 101, the dig in stirred the hatchlings and we had a boil.  There were so many that we put down green and built a runway.  Best count was more than 70 emerged.  With all the prior tracks and this number, we decided to excavate.  119 shells, 8 unhatched, 9 pipped and 15 more live ones in the nest.  With that many still in the nest, there must be another wild nest in the area.  There are just too many tracks.

    Last night:

    • Nest 40 boiled around 8:00 with 59 turtles and some really excited visitors
    • Nest 30 boiled at 10:00 with 102 hatchlings
    • Nest 35 boiled @ 11:57 with 101 hatchlings
    • Nest 38 had 1 more hatchling
    • Inventory nest 26 – 121 shells, 6 unhatched and 2 live hatchlings
  • Wednesday, August 7

    Morning patrol had lots of news this morning:

    • The most exciting was that nest 38 boiled just as they pulled up.  65 hatchlings made it to the water. 
    • Nest 27 had a lot more hatchlings
    • Nest 29 boiled during the night and they were everywhere but visitors on the beach corralled them to the water.
    • Nest 36 hatched during the night.
    • Nest 39 more hatchling tracks
    • Nest 38 boiled this morning.
    • Nest 40 had 2 hatchling tracks outside the green
    • Nest 44 has a crevice
    • Nest 18 and 46 had crab holes

    Not sure what’s up with nest 18 (65 days) but Team 2 gets the “Most Dedicated” award.  It could still happen.  Unlike nest 18, nests are starting to hatch at 50 and 51 days, especially the relocated nests.  We probably need to move our green day back to 48 days.  Again, if you need help just let us know.  The tide has receded so be sure you get as close to the high tide line as is comfortable.

    Last night:

    • Nest 39 boiled around 11 with 65 turtles
    • Inventory nest 31 – 130 shells, 6 unhatched, 1 pipped, 1 dead and 10 live hatchlings
    • Inventory nest 33 –  96 shells, 10 unhatched, 20 pipped, 3 dead and 20 live hatchlings
  • Tuesday, August 6

    Morning Patrol:

    • No new nest or crawls
    • Crabs in 26, 27, 39, 40, 46
    • Nest 27 had 2 dead hatchling crab victims and a track in the runway.  We are calling it hatched.

    Last night:

    Inventory nest 100 – 138 shells, 3 unhatched and 2 dead

  • Monday, August 5

    Morning Patrol:

    • Nest 81 – fox dug in but just barely 
    • Nest 46 – crab hole
    • More hatchlings in 33 and 100
    • Nest 91 overwashed
    • Nest 26 had a dead hatchling in the runway this morning.  Looked like crab bite. 

    Last night:

    • Nest 26 caved in at 9:45 and boiled at 10:35 with 109 hatchlings
    • Nest 33 had 55 emerge at 9:10, then 1 more at 11ish.
    • Inventory nest 22- 87 shells, 9 unhatched, 2 pipped and 1 dead hatchling
  • Sunday, August 4

    No new nest, no new crawls.  We have 100 nests and 75 are still incubating.  I’m exhausted and I’m not even out there every night.  Hang in there and let us know when you need a break.

    Nest 31 hatched last night at 51 days so now we’ve had 2 @51 days, 2@52 days and emergence @48 days.  Be sure to put green out at least by day 50.  I believe green has been delivered up to nest 44.  If you need more, let me know.  In case of emergency, look at the nests near you.

    Nests overwashed: 22, 50, 84, 94, 62, 91 and 71

    Water in the runway at 27 and 29

    Nest 69 was wet

    Nest 46 lost 15 more eggs to fox.  51 was dug slightly.  They will be covered today.

    Nest 31 had 1 more hatchling this morning.

    Nest 100 had 2/3 more emerge during the night.

    Last night inventory:

    Nest 21- 77 shells and 8 unhatched

    Nest 28 – 109 shells, 9 unhatched, 1 pipped and 2 live hatchlings

  • Saturday, August 3

    Morning patrol:

    A fox dug into nests 46 and 51.  It didn’t get to the eggs on 46 but big crab track on the side.  51 had 2 eggshells on the surface.

    Overwash at nests 37, 50, and 91

    Hatchling tracks in 33 (1 or 2), 28 (couple of tracks)

    Nest 31 had a crevice

    Last night:

    Volunteers watching a hatchling making its way at nest 33 had a huge surprise.  Nest #100 was boiling between nests 33 and 60.  Yes, another wild nest that produced 118 very misoriented hatchlings.  They were determined to go backwards and west.  Thank you Jamie, Wanda and a very helpful visitor for being there.

    Inventory nest 15: 83 shells, 5 unhatched, 2 dead and 1 live

    Inventory nest 17: 130 shells, 5 unhatched, 3 pipped and 2 live

  • Friday, August 2

    The tide will still be high the next couple of days but I think we are past the worst as long as the wind cooperates.  Thank you for looking after our nests and each other.

    Morning Patrol:

    Nest #22 hatched and 3 hatchlings were still in the runway this morning

    Nest #33 had 1 hatchling emerge

    Nests #28 had more hatchlings

    Nests 21, 39, 65 and 69 had crab tracks

    Nesting site 2 flooded, NS 2 is fine

    Last night:

    Nest 37 was under water again but the others did okay thanks to volunteers and our volunteer families that helped us keep the water away.

    Nest 22 had 2 teenagers that were determined to keep the water away and a couple of the volunteers from team 9 took care of nest 59.

    Inventories:

    Nest #23- 109 shells, 13 unhatched 4 pipped and 17 live hatchling

  • Thursday, August 1

    Morning Patrol:

    Foxes discovered nest #99 today.  Shells were strewn on the beach; we believe there were about 20 shells.  3 eggs that were in the nest were spilt with embryo still inside but plenty of white unaffected eggs still in the nest.  We marked it as nest 99 and covered it with the wire cover.  It is located between Sellers and Mercer just west of #47.

    Fox tracks around 47, 85 and 18 but just tracks.

    Nest #37 was underwater for the second night. 

    Nest #59 got a slight overwash.

    Nests 51 and 73 had crab holes.

    Nest #21 had lots of hatchling tracks.

    Nest #17 and #28 each had a few more hatchling btracks

    Last night:

    Teams 7 and 10 made gallant efforts to keep the water off their nests but you cannot stop the ocean…no matter how hard you try.

    Because of the water coming over nests #24 which had already hatched team #10 tried to excavate and released 4 hatchlings. It was inventoried this morning with 115 shells, 10 unhatched, 3 pipped and 41 dead hatchlings.

    Nest #25 was at 53 days and by NCWRC direction we dug as best we could to see if hatchlings had started emergence.  35 live hatchlings were allowed to wake up on the beach and make their way into the water.  It was inventoried this morning with 62 shells, 49 unhatched and 25 dead hatchlings.

    Nest #28 hatched around 9:42, more a little later totaling 88.  More tracks in the runway this morning. 

    Tonight will be the highest tide yet. Nests 22, 99, 50, 84, 94 and 62 are all in danger of being overwashed. Let us know what you see.

    Inventories:

    Nest #19- 110 shells, 11 unhatched and 1 live hatchling

  • Wednesday, July 31

    Morning Patrol:

    • No new nest, no false crawls
    • Nest #24, 23, 28 and 19 had crab holes

    Last night:

    • Nest #24 had 6 more hatchlings at 9:15
    • Nest #15 hatched around 11:45 with 77 hatchlings (58 days)
    • Nest # 17 boiled @10:40 with 127 hatchlings  (59 days)
    • Nest #37 was underwater during the high tide.
    • Nest #59 was overwashed.
    • Be on the lookout tonight and let us know what you see.  The tides are increasing through tomorrow 

    Inventories:

    • Nest #13- 93 shells, 11 unhatched, 2 pipped, 1 dead and 5 live hatchlings
    • Nest #20- 122 shells, 4 unhatched, 15 pipped, 4 dead and 34 live hatchlings
  • Tuesday, June 30

    Morning Patrol:

    • No new nest, no false crawls and no fox disturbance, tracks but no invasion.
    • Nest #19 had 1 more hatchling
    • Nest #23 hatched with lots of tracks
    • Nest #24 had more hatchlings during the night

    Last night:

    • Nest #24 boiled @9:10 with 51 hatchlings
    • Nest #33 had a dimple and crack @ only 45 days.  Betty and some visitors helped team 6 gather and put down green 

    Inventories:

    • After speaking with Matthew, we decided it best to go ahead and excavate the 2 nest that had hatchlings before another night.
    • Nest #7- 17 shells, 96 unhatched, 7 live hatchlings
    • Nest #16- 102 shells, 16 unhatched, 6 live hatchlings
  • Monday, July 29

    Morning Patrol:

    • Green delivered to nests 29 and 30.  We had a wild nest in front of the public parking area with lots and lots of hatchling tracks but did not locate the nest.
    • Fox invasion in most nests between Oak Island pier and villas.  Nest 18 had footprints.  Nest 63 and 47 were dug into slightly but didn’t look like disturbance. Nest 37 had 6 egg shells on the surface and nests 7 and 16 had hatchling prints in the green.  1 hatchling almost to the water at nest 16.
    • Tide came into the green at nest 22 but did not reach the nest
    • Nest 19 had lots of tracks
    • Nest 13 had a crab hole
    • Nest 20 had more tracks
    • Nest 23 had a crevice

    Last night:

    • Nest #19 had a hole cave in @ 8:30 and @10:30 116 hatchlings made their way to the sea
    • Inventories:
    • Nest #10- 121 shells, 54 unhatched, 9 barely pipped and 10 live hatchlings
    • Nest #11- 99 shells, 5 unhatched, 6 pipped, 6 live hatchlings and 4 dead
  • Sunday, July 28

    Morning Patrol:

    • Nest #97 is just of Tom Hess. 38” crawl.  124 eggs were moved over the escarpment and closer to the dune.
    • A fox invaded nest #47.  6 eggs were lost
    • 2 hatchlings from nest #20 were watched to the water.
    • #24 had a small indent
    • Green delivered to nest #27

    Last night:

    • Nest #13 boiled @ 10:20 with 82 hatchling
    • Nest #20 boiled @8:25 with 70 hatchings

    Inventory results:

    • Nest #14 -147 shells, 11 unhatched, 7 dead
  • Saturday, July 27

    Morning patrol:

    No new nests or crawls

    Nest 10 and 19 had a couple of hatchlings emerge during the night. 

    Green has been delivered up to nest 26.  Several have crevices or cracks so please check your nests and if you need help just let someone know. We probably need to start greening on day 50 now.

    Last night:

    2 hatchlings emerged from nest #10 about 8:00

    Inventory nest #9: 94 shells, 11 unhatched and 4 live

    Inventory nest #12: 98 shells, 13 unhatched, 8 pipped , 2 dead and 22 live

  • Friday, July 26

    One false crawl this morning. It is highly likely that it was a green turtle.  She dug 2 different body pits with holes but no eggs were found. Looks like she did a lot of work to not lay but it is typical behavior for a green. We marked it as a nesting site. 
    Nest #10 had 1 hatchling track, #12 and #14 had several tracks. nest #20 has an indentation. 

    Inventory results:

    Nest #8:  112 shells, 29 unhatched and 1 live. Team 7 wanted to be sure to thank all the volunteers from the other teams that jumped in to lend a hand. Teamwork!

  • Thursday, July 25

    No new crawls or nests.

    More hatchlings overnight at nests #9, #10, #11 and #14.

    Nest #11 had 1 dead hatchling in the runway and a jogger reported watching 2 more get to the water.

    Green was delivered to nests up to #21

    Last night:

    Nest #14 had a full boil around 10:22 with 97 hatchlings

    Inventory results:

    Nest #5: 145 shells, 4 unhatched, 3 pipped, 5 dead and 1 live

    Nest #6: 82 shells, 10 unhatched

  • Wednesday, July 24

    Nothing new this morning but WOW what a night!

    Last night:

    Nest #9: 75 hatchlings around 10:00, 1 more at 11:58 and several more during the night.  57 days

    Nest #10:  37 hatchlings decided to emerge @7:30, 17 more a few at a time during the evening. More during the night.  55 days

    Nest #11: 34 emerged @ 9:18.  55 days

    Nest #12: 52 @12:02, lots more during the night. 54 days

    Nest #14: hatched during the night with lots of tracks.  3 in the runway this morning- 2 made it to the water, 1 being carried by ghost crab and didn’t survive.  53 days

  • Tuesday, July 23

    No new nest or crawls this morning.

    Last night

    :Nest #8 boiled around 9:30 last night with 94 hatchlings.  A few more tracks in the runway this morning.

  • Monday, July 22

    Nest #96 is west of the lighthouse with 119 eggs moved back away from the tide line.36” crawl

    2 false crawls. 31” crawl and a 36” crawl both near Tom Hess

    Last night activity:
    Nest #5 hatched around 10:45 with 92 hatchlings (60 days)
    Nest #6 boiled around 11:00 with 82 hatchlings (58 days)

    Inventories:
    Nest #2: 79 shells, 29 unhatched, 1 pipped (barely), 7 live hatchlings
    Nest #4: 107 shells, 8 unhatched

  • Sunday, July 21

    Nest 95!  I’m guessing we are going to break 100 but don’t know if we will beat our 108 record. We have (in the past) has nest through July with a few in August. The year that we had 108 nests the last nest was laid on August 21

    Nest 95 was laid under a cedar bush on the east end and 121 eggs were moved near the lifeguard stand. Crawl was 37”

    One false crawl in the 400 block with a 32” crawl

  • Saturday, July 20

    Nothing new this morning. 

     Nest 3 Inventory Results: 92 shells 19 unhatched eggs1 pipped egg with dead hatchling

  • Friday, July 19

    Nest 93 was laid west of the Point and relocated 121 eggs to east of the lifeguard stand.  38″ Crawl.  
    Nest 94 was laid just east of Ocean Greens Lane in a safe location.  31″ Crawl
    There was also a False Crawl west of the 300 Block Access with a 34″ Crawl.
    Nest 2 had more hatchlings come out during the night!
    Nest 4 boiled with 99 hatchlings!

  • Thursday, July 18

    Nest 92 was laid in a safe location at the East Point and left there to incubate.  36″ Crawl
    There was a False Crawl west of 601 walkway.  30” crawl
    No action at any of the nests last night.

  • Wednesday, July 17

     It was a busy night on Caswell Beach!
    Nest #2 had a partial boil of 47 turtles racing to the sea with 98 very respectful observers.
    Nest 3 boiled with 83 hatchings at about 12:40. The hole appeared at 10:45. All the hatchlings went straight to the sea.
    While waiting at Nest #3, Team 1 had the privilege of watching a Mama Turtle lay her eggs in the 400 Block!  WOW!  Visitors got to see a mama laying and a nest boil in the same night!  Can you believe that!
    This morning:Nest #90 was relocated from East of Maritime way.  128 Eggs, 41″ Crawl
    Nest #91 was laid safely West of the 300 Block.  36″ Crawl
    False Crawl East of Maritime Way.  36″ Crawl

  • Tuesday, July 16

    Nest 88 was relocated from West of the Point to East of the Baptist Lifeguard Stand.  115 eggs, 39″ Crawl
    Nest 89 is located near the 400 Block access.  39″ Crawl
    False Crawls were 35″ East of Maritime Way and 35″ East of Lighthouse.
    Nest #1 Inventory:  78 Shells, 26 Unhatched, 7 Live Hatchlings, slow but sure to the water.

  • Monday, July 15

     2 more nests and 1 false crawl. 

    Nest #86 is west of 601, 40” crawl and 122 eggs moved back from the tide line. 

    Nest #87 is east of baptist walkway, 41” crawl and 107 eggs moved from the east point

    False crawl was 35” in the 400 block

  • Sunday, July 14

    Nest #85 is between Sellers and McGlamery and had a 33” crawl. 

    No false crawls, no more hatchlings. 

  • Saturday, July 13

    We had hatchlings!!!!  Nest #1 boiled last night around 9:05-ish.  65 hatchlings made it straight to the water with 300-350 onlookers.  Thanks to all of our volunteers that came out to assist, including a group from Oak Island Sea Turtle Protection.  Inventory will be Monday.

    2 more nests today.

    #83 – 800 block with 38” crawl

    #84 – 102 eggs were relocated from the east escarpment to east of the baptist walkway

  • Friday, July 12
    • Nest #80 is west of the 200 walkway and had a 36” crawl.
    • Nest #81 is in the 800 block. She had a 32″ crawl and we moved 113 eggs back from high tide line.
    • Nest #82 is on the point. Her 35” crawl came in on the river side and exited on the ocean side. It looked like it may have been from yesterday and was in a safe place so remains on the point.


    37″ false crawl near nest 37

    35″ false crawl at public access


    Green was delivered to nests 5, 6 and 7. 
    Nest 1 is closer than its ever been to hatching.

  • Thursday, July 11

    Nothing new today except that Nest #1 was sporting a nice crack and indent last night.

  • Wednesday, July 10

    What a morning for morning patrol. Can you believe they didn’t really get wet…even with 3 nests and 3 false crawls. 

    #77 moved 113 eggs from east end to east of lighthouse -37” crawl

    #78 moved 131 eggs away from tide line west of 429 walkway -37” crawl

    #79 Trott St (east of Lazy Turtle) 38”

    False crawls were 38” near Maritime Way, 38” west of lighthouse and 28” in front of Caswell Dunes

  • Tuesday, July 9

    Ocean Isle Beach has reported hatchlings!

    Nest #76 today.  It’s located near 629 walkway and had a 34” crawl.

    4 false crawls:

    • 40” near 423 walkway
    • 34” near Tom Hess
    • 36” near Joe O’Brien
    • 34” near golf course

    Green was delivered to nests #3 & #4 this morning. Today is the 56th day for nest #1 so we will be sitting starting tonight if the weather cooperates.  Reminder that we do not go on the beach during lightning.  We messed team #1 up yesterday by not delivering green.  I need to recalculate days on our nest assignment sheet as it does not agree with SeaTurtle.org.  I will include green delivery in my daily email.

  • Monday, July 8

    We had a 32” false crawl this morning on the point.

    We relocated Nest #57 this morning.  I sent pictures and texted with Matthew Godfrey yesterday and he agreed that it would be better to relocate than let it roll into the ocean.  This morning, it had been overwashed and was only 2 inches from exposure in the escarpment.  Moving a nest at 10 days incubation is not healthy for the eggs but better than losing them totally.  I counted 137 eggs and sure that 8 of those were unfertilized.  They were moved close to the dune just west of the 200 walkway.

  • Sunday, July 7

    2 more nests and 2 false crawls today, all on the east end.

    #74 has 129 eggs and was moved from the east end to near 200. 34” crawl

    #75 has 114 eggs and was moved away from the tide line -37” crawl

    Oak Island set a new record today, 117!  YAY for them.  I believe the most we’ve had was 108 in 1994 and at the current rate, we could be looking at a record year too.  They are everywhere!

  • Saturday, July 6

    Nest #73 today.  We relocated 132 eggs from the east point to east of the 200 walkway.  Crawl was 39”

    We put green around nest #1 last evening. Today is day 53.

  • Friday, July 5

    Nest 71 with a 37″ crawl east of lighthouse.  She laid right up against a trash bag leaning on a cabana leg.

    Nest 72  with a 40″ crawl west of nest 15.39″ false crawl at range light37″ false crawl near nest 4438″ false crawl near nest 50

  • Thursday, July 4

    3 new nests today

    #68 – relocated 125 eggs from east point to 200 walkway – 33” crawl

    #69 – insitu nest west of the lifeguard stand – 31” crawl

    #70 – relocate 121 eggs back from the tideline west of the lighthouse- 29” crawl

  • Wednesday, July 3

    2 nests and 7 false crawls.  The crawls were a small turtle, 26” -28” and a 32” crawl, all east of the parking lot.  Folks were out cleaning up fireworks residue this morning.
    Nest #66 is west of the 423 walkway and had a 36” crawlNest #67 is west of the public parking area and had a 40” crawl
    Think positive thoughts for our nests during the high tides the next couple of evenings.

  • Tuesday, July 2

    3 false crawls this morning. East of parking lot, east of 629 walkway and in front of last house.  All 34-36” crawls.

  • Monday, July 1

    2 nest and 1 false crawl today.

    Nest #64 was laid in the tide line at the last house on CBR.  We relocated 118 to the dune; 2 were broken in the nest and 36” crawl.

    Nest #65 is located just west of the first house on CBR and had a 33” crawl.

    The false crawl was east of the lifeguard stand and was only 29”

    The tide was high last evening and will increase, being the highest on Wednesday and Thursday.  We were close on some and will most likely have some overwashed this week.  Today’s nest was laid inches from the tide line.

    Nest count around us as of this email:

    • Bald Head -100
    • Caswell Beach -65
    • Oak Island -92
    • Holden Beach -64
    • Entire NC -1237
  • Sunday, June 30

    Nest #62 – In front of Ocean Greens- 36” crawl

    Nest #63 – west of Mercer – 34” crawl

    We marked NS2 on the east point….just couldn’t locate any eggs

    2 False crawls – 32” west of lighthouse and 33” near golf course

  • Saturday, June 29

    2 nests and 4 false crawls

    Nest #60 – east of 629 walkway- 36” crawl

    Nest #61 – near 629 walkway – 38” crawl

    False crawls:

    36” east of Maritime Way

    34” beside Maritime Way

    36” east of lifeguard stand

    33” east of parking lot

  • Friday, June 28

    3 more nests and 4 false crawls

    Nest #57 38″ crawl east of #17

    Nest #58 41″ crawl west of Lighthouse

    Nest #59 32″ crawl next to #35

    36″ False crawl west of #56

    36″ false crawl next to #24

    34″ false crawl east of #18

    36″ false crawl west of #56  She crawled all over the beach and trespassed all over the dunes but couldn’t find the right spot to lay.

  • Thursday, June 27

    Nest #56 and 4 false crawls

    Nest #56 was relocated from the east end to east of the 200 walkway. 30” crawl and 130 eggs

    False crawls were probably the same turtle looking for a good spot.  Crawls 30” – 32” between west of the lighthouse and east of the lifeguard stand

  • Wednesday, June 26

    No new nests but crab holes in 48, 49, 51 and 52

  • Tuesday, June 25

    1 false crawl and 4 MORE NESTS!

    False crawl was 40” and on the east point

    Nest #52 relocated 122 eggs from point to west of the lifeguard stand – 40” crawl

    Nest #53 relocated 124 eggs away from tideline just west of the lighthouse – 37” crawl

    Nest #54 relocated 54 eggs away from tideline near 401 walkway – 33” crawl

    Nest #55 relocated 117 eggs away from tideline east of the public parking area -34” crawl

    1 false crawl and 4 MORE NESTS!

    False crawl was 40” and on the east point

    Nest #52 relocated 122 eggs from point to west of the lifeguard stand – 40” crawl

    Nest #53 relocated 124 eggs away from tideline just west of the lighthouse – 37” crawl

    Nest #54 relocated 54 eggs away from tideline near 401 walkway – 33”

    crawlNest #55 relocated 117 eggs away from tideline east of the public parking area -34” crawl

  • Monday, June 24

    4 more nests today.

    Nest #48 – relocated 150 eggs from east end tower to west of walkway.  41” crawl

    Nest #49 – relocated 135 eggs from east point to west of the walkway. 36” crawl

    Nest #50 – in front of Ocean Greens condos.  32” crawl

    Nest #51 – near Pinehurst Dr.  33” craw

  • Sunday, June 23

    3 more nests this morning!

    Nest #45 is just west of the lighthouse and had a 39” crawl

    Nest #46 is east of the volleyball net & Joe O’Brien with a 40” crawl

    Nest #47 is between Mercer and Sellers and had a 36” crawl

  • Saturday, June 22

    Nest #44 is west of the public parking are.  We moved 132 eggs back away from the tideline and her crawl was 35”

  • Friday, June 21

    3 new nests today!

    #41 was laid near Maritime Way in the escarpment and was relocated to near lifeguard stand.  117 eggs, 31” CRAWL

    #42 is in the 300 block and had a 33” crawl

    #43 is between McGlamery and the villas and had a 36” crawl.

    Morning patrol came upon the turtle from nest #42 while she was on her way back to the water.  She had walked a long way and was resting but eventually swam away.

  • Thursday, June 20

    Nest #40 today is located in the 600 block and is a shallow nest and 30” crawl.

    We had a false crawl in the 600 block too.  31” crawl and she encountered a tent.

    Ghost crabs had an egg from nest #39 on the surface this morning.

  • Wednesday, June 19

    3 false crawls today.  30” and 31” crawls. East end, lighthouse area and just west of the lighthouse. She crawled a long way but just couldn’t find a good spot.

  • Tuesday, June 18

     Oh what a morning!  2 new nests, 1 nesting site and 4 false crawls

    Both nests were relocated from the east point.  #38 has 111 eggs and was placed east of lifeguard stand, 30” crawl.  #39 has 105 eggs, placed west of the lifeguard stand, 35” crawl.

    False crawls were:

    30” not too far from where 38 was laid

    39” in 400 block

    37” in 500 block and bumped into a cabana

    38” East of Joe O’Brian

    NS1 -nesting site had a 38” crawl.  She dug a hole without eggs then kept going into the escarpment in the east end

  • Monday, June 17

    Seriously now!  2 more nests today.

    Nest #36 is east of the public parking with a 33” crawl and #37 is between McGlamery and the Villas with a 31” crawl.

  • Sunday, June 16

    2 more nests today!

    Nest #34 and #35 are both east of the 500 walkway.  #34 had a 41” crawl and #35 was a 35” crawl.

    I took another look at our history.  In the years that we had 60-70 nests, on this day we had 25 or so nests.  10 more nests than our biggest years…wonder what that means. 

  • Saturday, June 15

    Nest #33 had a 35” crawl and 126 eggs were moved back from the tide line near 629 walkway.

    A 33” false crawl in the 500 block

  • Friday, June 14

    Friday there were 2 new nests and 1 false crawl

    Nest #31 had a 35” crawl and is behind nest #17 high in the dune

    Nest #32 had a 36” crawl and is west of the 300 walkway

    The false crawl was east of the 629 walkway

  • Thursday, June 13

    Thursday we had nest #30.  It was a 36” crawl and located in the 500 block.

  • Wednesday, June 12

    Nest #29 today is west of 429 walkway and her crawl was 36”.

  • Tuesday, June 11

    Nest #28 was laid at the tide line on the east point.  We relocated 118 eggs to east of the 100 walkway.  Her crawl was 38”.

    We also had a false crawl between the tower and pier at the baptist assembly.

  • Monday, June 10

    Nothing Sunday but 2 nests and 1 false crawl today.

    Nest #26 is near the 400 walkway and had a 32” crawl.  

    Nest #27 west of 600 walkway with a 34” crawl.  She walked forever on the beach. 

    False crawl was 34” crawl near nest #27.

    The Mewhorter family was on the beach early this morning looking for tracks.  Hannah and Ella have been protecting turtles and adopting nests this week of vacation for years.  They started off filling in holes on the beach Saturday evening when they got here and were so excited to be at the nest when the eggs were located this morning.  Thank you Hannah and Ella.

  • Saturday, June 8

    Three new nests today

    #23 was laid at the point and 126 eggs were moved to east of the Baptist walkover. She had a 35″ crawl.

    # 24  was a 32″ crawl laid across from the big white house high across from the beach.  She crawled in circles before laying then crawled parallel to the water for about 70 feet before going into the ocean.

    #25 was a 36″ crawl across from Caswell Dunes.  She laid her eggs deep

  • Friday, June 7

    2 false crawls and nest #22 today. 

    False crawls were close to 629 walkway and public parking. 

    Nest #22 is east of the golf course and had a 33” crawl. 

    Interesting crawl this morning. Could it be indecision? Or just picking the perfect spot?

  • Thursday, June 6

    3 false crawls this morning, 2 on the point and 1 near the lighthouse. 

    Dutchman was released!  I put some before and after pictures on Facebook. It truly is amazing how different he looks. Did anyone go?  We didn’t get to but I got pictures from the release photos. 

  • Wednesday, June 5

    2 false crawls and 2 nests this morning.

    Nest #20 was laid out on the point and relocated just west of the Baptist walkover.  Crabs had gotten into the nest and broke 3 of the 144 eggs.  Her crawl was 34”.

    Nest #21 is east of the 629 walkway and her crawl was 32”.

    The false crawls were 34” and 27” with one on the point and the other near the golf course.

  • Tuesday, June 4

    Nest #19 had a 35” crawl and is located west of the 600 walkway.

    Just received an email from Karen Beasley Sea Turtle Hospital.  There is going to be a release tomorrow morning.  21 turtles will be released including our very own Dutchman!

  • Monday, June 3

    Nest #18 is just west of McGlamery St.  She had a 37” crawl.

    A false 38” crawl at the east end today.

    Our 185 egg clutch was big but the largest clutch in NC was 206 eggs from a nest laid in 2015 at Cape Hatteras.  Still the largest for us at Caswell Beach.

  • Sunday, June 2

    Nest #17 and a false crawl this morning.

    The false crawl was on the eastern point and nest #17 is located near the 200 walkway and had a 44” crawl.  We’ve had some big ones this year.

    Just so you know, I decided to look at our historical data and this is the most nest we’ve had on this day since we’ve been keeping track (1990).  It could just be an early season but you never know.  When we start sitting, we are going to be busy.

  • Saturday, June 1

    3 more nests today and the turtles really like the 400 block. 

    Nest #14 came in first and put hert nest high on the dune while it was still raining but the rain stopped before she left. 

    Nest #15 followed beside the first tracks but didn’t go up the dune. Put her nest in the tracks of the first turtle and safe enough. 

    Nest #16 is in front of the the villas between the first 2 buildings. 

    All nests are insitu.

  • Friday, May 31

    Two more nests today.

    Nest #12 was laid on the point and relocated 121 eggs to west of the Baptist walkway.38” crawl. Nest #12 is possibly a green. The tracks are different and only time will tell. 

    Nest #13 is at the 100 walkway.  40” crawl, 106 eggs moves above the tide line at the 100 walkway. Morning patrol was lucky enough to get to nest #13 just as the mother turtle was leaving her nest to go back into the ocean.  A visitor had watched her lay the nest.

    A 37” false crawl just east of the lighthouse.

  • Thursday, May 30

    Two nests today.

    Nest #10 was laid on the east point and we relocated 185 eggs to east of the lighthouse.  It had a 43” crawl.  I’ve asked for the recorded largest clutch…this might be it.

    Nest #11 was a 34” crawl east of the 400 walkway.  We moved 114 eggs higher in the dune.

  • Tuesday, May 28

    Nest #9 today was relocated from the east tip to west of the lifeguard stand.  She had a 34” crawl and planted 105 eggs.

  • Sunday, May 26

    Nest number 8 was relocated from the east end escarpment.  34” crawl with 141 placed east of the lifeguard stand.

    We had a false crawl on the eastern tip near the tower.

  • Saturday, May 25

    It was a “twofer” day!

    Nest #6 was relocated from the escarpment on the east point to west of the Baptist walkover. 92 eggs and and 35” crawl

    Nest #7 is between the villas and McGlamery. She had a 38”crawl and the eggs were barely covered.

  • Thursday, May 23

    Nest #5 is located east of the 400 walkway and had a 37” crawl.

    We had a 35” false crawl in the 700 block this morning too.

  • Sunday, May 19

    Nest #4 is east of the 400 walkway. She had a 30” crawl and we relocated 115 eggs to higher ground. Don’t know if you’ve been on the beach this week but the tide has been really high but should have peaked now.

  • Saturday, May 18

    Nest #3 is west of the 400 walkway and a 34” crawl safely placed her eggs in the dune.

  • Friday, May 17

    Nest number 2 today.  31” crawl out on the Baptist cliff side.  We relocated 109 eggs to the Baptist steps.

  • Tuesday, May 14

    We have our first nest!!!

    Nest number one has 104 eggs, located east of the golf course and had a 38” crawl.

  • IT’S HERE

    Morning patrol started today.  Of course there wasn’t anything except a beautiful morning on the beach.  I will not send emails until I have something to send.  In case you didn’t know, South Carolina already has 1 Kemp’s Ridley nest and 2 loggerhead nests so it shouldn’t be long.

  • 2019 Season Beginning Soon

    The 2019 Turtle Season is almost here!  Beginning May 1st, the Turtle Watch Morning Patrol will search Caswell Beach for any tracks left by a mother turtle who might be laying eggs.  If a nest is discovered, it will be marked and assigned a sequential number, starting with 1.

    With the beach re-nourishment project behind us, we look forward to a “normal” turtle season.