2017 Turtle Season

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!

• 109 Crawls
  • 58 Nest
  • 51 False Crawls

• Nests
  • 17 Relocated – 29.3%
    • 8 nests relocated above tide
    • 9 nests from east end
  • 41 In Situ – 70.7%

• Relocated Nests
  • 1963 eggs
  • 1445 hatchlings
  • 73.6% hatch rate

• In Situ Nests
  • 4477 eggs
  • 3900 hatchlings
  • 85.2% hatch rate

• 6540 egg shells counted
  • 113 average eggs per nest
  • Ranged 51-144 eggs

• 1190 unhatched or pipped eggs
• 5015 emerged hatchlings – 75.2% emergence success
• Overall 81% hatch success

• Incubation Days
  • Average 55.9 days
  • Range 51-67 days

• Average crawl width 36.5

• Volunteers
  • 80 Volunteers on our list
  • Volunteers reporting time and travel
    • 4100 Hours reported
    • 21,078 Miles driven

Nest #58 was inventoried tonight resulting in 49 shells, 63 unhatched, 1 pipped and 2 live hatchlings. The unhatched eggs were very brown again and looked hairy. Maybe it was the wet weather we had. At any rate, we did the best we could.

Sunday is our end of season gathering. Please bring your spouse, significant other or your best friend if you want. It’s not the biggest place in the world but it’s always been big enough for us.

Food is whatever you want to bring. I was thinking finger food/pickups. We will have desserts and drinks. It’s always nice to socialize one more time before we go our separate ways for the winter.

Thank you again for a great year.

Gary and Susan

Nest #58 has hatched and it looked like a good number of hatchlings.

Nest #57 was inventoried this morning. This nest started with 51 eggs but was invaded by crabs the first few days and were certain that eggs were taken out by them. Inventory results: 13 shells, 35 unhatched and 2 live hatchlings. Only 48 eggs left in the nest and most of the unhatched were brown and looked like roots were growing out of them.

Nest #57 this morning. We watched one get in the water but looks like several tracks.

Nest #55 inventory results: 109 shells, 1 unhatched and 1 pipped.

We have nests #57 & #58 still incubating but don’t expect anything for several more days.

We have called to have the ATV picked up. Thanks again to Duke Energy for providing our transportation for the season. We will be checking the 2 remaining nests on foot.

We did get DNA this week for nests up to #47. I will try to have information about those results at our end of season party. Yes, we are planning to have a gathering in a couple of weeks. More to come.

I will probably only send emails on the days there’s something to report.

Nest #55 inventory Saturday @5:00

Nest #53 inventory results: 47 hatched, 71 unhatched and 1 live hatchling.

We went on a stranded call late yesterday evening in Southport. It was absolutely the biggest loggerhead I’ve ever seen. Injuries indicated probably a boat strike and we are hoping this mornings high tide is really high.

Nest #55 inventory Saturday @5:00

Nest #53 inventory Friday @ 7:00

Nest #54 inventory results: 104 shells, 4 pipped ad 8 live hatchlings.

Please get your time sheets in whenever your team finishes its last nest.

Nest #55 hatched around 11:00 last night. Not sure how many but lots of tracks. Inventory Saturday @5:00

Nest #53 had more hatchlings during the night. Inventory Friday

Nest #54 inventory tonight @ 6:00.

Nest #57 had a crab hole and a small dead fish. ??

Nest #53 had 32 turtles emerge around 10:30 last night and then more during the night.

Nest #54 had one more hatchling.

Nest #54 had 95 hatchlings yesterday around 6:00.

Nest #52 inventory results were 94 shells, 17 unhatched and 2 live hatchlings.

4 nest remaining

Nest #52 had 61 hatchlings emerge last night around 10:30.

Nest #52 had one more hatchling emerge last night

Nest 52 had 26 hatchlings emerge yesterday evening and 6 more this morning.

Nest 51 had 60 hatchlings emerge.
Inventory resulted in 60 shells and 20 unhatched eggs.

The nests all got really wet but not all were overwashed. Nest #53 had a big crab hole. I think we should just put the green back out and wait for them to dry out. These are pictures of all the nests this morning.

Nest #52

Nest #51

Nest #54

Nest #53

Nest #57

Nest #58

Nest #55

Nest #50 had a hatchlings caught in roots. After investigating we realized that they were stuck. Once the roots were removed 77 hatchlings were eager to race to the ocean. Inventory resulted in 78 shells, 1 dead and 13 unhatched.

The tide was inches from nests #53 and #54. It is suppose to be about the same height for both highs for the next few days. The wind will be a factor too. Let’s keep our fingers crossed.

No nest news today.

The tide came really high last night and close to nest #54. We are fortunate that we only have 8 nests left and they are all pretty high in the dunes.

Nest #50 has a slight indentation.

Inventory results:
Nest #47: 107 shells, 2 unhatched and 2 pipped
Nest #48: 117 shells, 7 unhatched, 1 pipped and 1 live hatchling
Nest #49: 103 shells, 25 unhatched, 3 pipped and 21 live

Can you believe that we only have 8 nests left! The last 4 nests have hatched on the 52nd or 53rd day; 2 relocated and 2 insitu.

Morning findings:
Nest #49 had one more hatchling emerge.

Evening events:
Inventory results:
Nest #45: 80 shells and 14 unhatched
Nest #46: 62 shells, 74 unhatched, and 2 pipped. The unhatched eggs were very dark and looked like they were hairy…probably fungus.

Inventory schedule:
Nest #47 – Tuesday @ 6:00
Nest #48 – Wednesday @ 7:00
Nest #49 – Wednesday @ 6:30

Hope you have a good and safe labor day.

Morning findings:
Nest #49 hatched during the night. One dead hatchling in the runway but looked like the others made it to the water.

Since the turtles seem to be racing to get into the water lately someone left them a nice track. 😉

Evening events:
Nest #4 hatched last night. Boil started at 9:08 and finished at 9:48 with 110 hatchlings safely in the water. Special helpers Clara and Grady built the sand runway up for the team. Grady was particularly impressed, said it was “adorable.”

Inventory results from last night
Nest #43: 116 shells, 9 unhatched, 2 pipped, 2 dead and 1 live hatchling
Nest #44: 103 shells and 2 unhatched

Inventory schedule:
Nest #45 – Monday @ 7:00
Nest #46 – Monday @ 7:00
Nest #47 – Tuesday @ 6:00
Nest #48 – Wednesday @ 7:00
Nest #49 – Wednesday @ 6:30

Morning findings:
Looked like #46 and #44 had at least one more hatchling come out.

Evening events:
Nest #46 had hatched during the rain yesterday morning.
Nest #47 boiled around 9:45. Beatrice and her husband counted 112 but said they were really fast.

Inventory schedule:
Nest #43 – Sunday @ 6:00
Nest #44 – Sunday @ 6:30
Nest #45 – Monday @ 7:00
Nest #46 – Monday @ 7:00
Nest #47 – Tuesday

We did not ride morning patrol today.

Nest #45 hatched around 8:00 yesterday at 54 days. 80 hatchlings in the water in 10 minutes. Those of you that have nests up to #50, please check on them and put your green out as far as the tide will allow.

Inventory schedule:
Nest #43 – Sunday @ 6:00
Nest #44 – Sunday @ 6:30
Nest #45 – Monday @ 7:00
Nest #46 –

Can you believe its September already! Please turn in August time sheets to your team leaders.

2 hatchlings emerged from nest #44 around 7:15 but nothing else before the lightning.

Nest #43 boiled around 9:30 with 100 hatchlings making it into the water.

Nest #46 had at least one hatchling emerge during the night

Nests 43, 44 & 46 were all showing signs of movement last night but nothing yet.

Inventory results:
Nest #41: 95 shells, 3 unhatched and 1 live
Nest #42: 116 shells and 6 unhatched

Nest #42 had one more turtle emerge.

Inventory schedule:
Nest #41 – Wednesday @ 6:30
Nest #42 – Wednesday @ 7:00

Nothing to report this morning….which is a good thing today.

Inventory schedule:
Nest #41 – Wednesday @ 6:30
Nest #42 – Wednesday @ 7:00

Nest #41 hatched around 9:45 but took until 10:30 to get them all in the water. The light house was just more than they could resist.
Nest #42 hatched during the night.
Nest #50 has an indentation.

Inventory results for nest #39: 130 shells and 3 unhatched

Inventory schedule:
Nest #41 – Wednesday @
Nest #42 – Wednesday @

Crab hole at nest #42

Inventory schedule:
Nest #39 – Sunday @ 6:30

Morning findings
Visitors on the beach said they saw one hatchling in #39 runway Thursday night/Friday morning and 4 or 5 hatchlings outside the runway. There is a nesting site close to nest #39 but with the rain covering the tracks there’s no way to tell if they came around the green or somewhere else.

Evening events

Inventory results:
• Nest #35: 92 shells and 1 unhatched
• Nest #36: 70 shells; 69 unhatched and 1 dead hatchling

Inventory schedule:
Nest #39 – Sunday @ 6:30

Morning findings
Nothing to report

Evening events
We had a call a little after 11:00 that nest #39 was boiling.
Inventory results for nest #40: 106 shells, 3 unhatched, 1 pipped and 1 live hatchling

Inventory schedule:
Nest #35 – Friday @ 7:00
Nest #36 – Friday @ 6:00
Nest #39 – Sunday @

Mystery about nest #36 solved. I got an email last night. A family that has been visiting our beach for decades and were actually taught the art of turtle watching by Milt and Jane Reece were the ones who saw #36 boil around 12:30 a.m. The number of hatchlings they counted was 65 and underlined the number. It is a really heartwarming story in that they’ve been coming for years, generations. Grandpa had to stay home because he is very ill, actually in hospice care. Mom and Dad flew down for just one night. Alison, her siblings, their children and her parents went to the beach to turtle watch and were lucky enough to see nest #36 boil. So thank you descendants of Bob Schmit for standing watch and making sure our hatchlings made it to the water. Precious family memories.

Morning findings
Nothing to report

Evening events
Inventory results for nest #38: 114 shells, 4 unhatched, 2 pipped and 7 live hatchlings

Inventory schedule:
Nest #40 – Thursday @ 7:00
Nest #35 – Friday @ 7:00
Nest #36 – Friday @ 6:00

Morning findings
Nest #42 has a small crack on day 48.

Evening events
Inventory results for nest #37: 109 shells, 1 unhatched and 1 dead hatchling
Nest #35 hatched last night with 92 hatchlings. They started surfacing around 8 and finished at 9:30. 10-15 were disoriented because of all the lights at the villas.
Nest #36 had 81 or maybe 18 hatchlings emerge.

Inventory schedule:
Nest #37 – Tuesday @ 6:00
Nest #38 – Wednesday @ 6:00
Nest #40 – Thursday @ 7:00
Nest #35 – Friday @ 7:00
Nest #36 – Friday

Morning:
1 more hatchling from nest #38 this morning. A visitor had run away a ghost crab and watched the hatchling to the water. He was amazed by how fast something so small could travel.

A child’s bear harness was left by nest #31 inventory. It will be at nest #41 this evening.

Evening:
Gary and I went to green nest #40 last evening, the 51st day. There were a dozen or so hatchling tracks from the nest and a big hole. I checked the top and there were more waiting. We put the green out and at 8:45 78 more hatchlings made their way to the ocean. Shame on us for waiting a day because it was more convenient. The sunset was beautiful last night.

Inventory results
Nest #34 – 105 shells, 10 unhatched
Nest #31 – 58 shells, 1 pipped, 19 unhatched and 1 spacer

Inventory schedule:
Nest #37 – Tuesday @ 6:00
Nest #38 – Wednesday @ 7:00
Nest #40 – Thursday @ 7:00

Nest #38 hatched last night about 11:15 with 101 hatchlings. They had a really long walk but a really good group to cheer them on.

Inventory schedule:
Nest #34 – Monday @ 6:30
Nest #31 – Monday @ 7:00
Nest #37 – Tuesday @ 6:00
Nest #38 – Wednesday @ 7:00

Morning patrol:
Nest #31 had one more hatchling emerge.
Nest #38 has a crevice

Evening events:
Nest #38 had a crevice all day
Nest #37 hatched with 110 hatchlings around 8:30.

Inventory results for nest #32: 84 shells, 49 unhatched, 1 pipped and 1 live

Inventory schedule:
Nest #34 – Monday @ 6:30
Nest #31 – Monday @ 7:00
Nest #37 – Tuesday @ 6:00

Morning patrol:
Nest #34 had one more hatchling and #38 has a crack.

Evening events:
Nest #34 hatched around 8:00 with 102 hatchlings making it to the water in about 10-15 minutes. 53 days
Nest #32 had 1 more hatchling emerge around 8:30.
Nest #31 hatched with 57 hatchlings

Inventory results for nest #30: 99 shells and 4 unhatched

Inventory schedule:
Nest #32 – Saturday @7:00
Nest #34 – Monday @ 6:30
Nest #31 – Monday

Morning patrol:
Nest #30 had a crab hole and a dead hatchling.
Nest #32 had a crab hole.
Someone has dug a trench in front of nest #42. It was reported to the town so hopefully they will assist it getting it filled in after they bury the shark left on the beach.
Green has been delivered up to nest #43.

Last evening events:
Nest #32 had a 6-7” crevice late last night and 1 hatchling fascinated beach visitors as it marched to the water.

Inventory results:
Nest #26 – 6 shells and 94 unhatched
Nest #27 – 142 shells and 2 unhatched
Nest #28 – 105 shells and 2 live hatchlings (100%)
Nest #33 – 100 shells, 5 unhatched, 3 pipped and 2 live hatchlings

Inventory schedule:
Nest #30: Friday @ 7:00

Last evening events:

• Nest #30 boiled early enough for all to see 86 hatchlings going straight to the water and one confused little guy who eventually made it.
• Nest #28 had 1 more hatchling emerge

Inventory results:
Nest #22 – 58 shells, 80 unhatched, 4 dead and 1 live hatchling. The unhatched eggs were pinkish.
Nest #23 – 93 shells and 1 unhatched
Nest #25 – 86 shells, 35 unhatched, 1 pipped and 2 dead
Nest #29 – 112 shells, 2 unhatched

Inventory schedule:
Nest #26: Wednesday @ 7:00
Nest #27: Wednesday @ 6:30
Nest #28: Wednesday after #33
Nest #30: Friday @ 7:00
Nest #33: Wednesday @ 7:00

Nest #24 inventory results: 118 shells, 10 unhatched, 2 pipped and 1 dead hatchling.
Nest # 26 had 1 hatchling emerge around 10:00. It took it a2.5 hrs to get out and it was disoriented.

Morning findings:
Nest #33 had 1 dead hatchling/crab victim.
Nest #25 had a big crab hole and 1 hatchling.

Inventory schedule:
Nest #22: Tuesday @ 7:00
Nest #23: Tuesday @ 6:00
Nest #25: Tuesday @ 7:00
Nest #26: Wednesday unless there’s a boil
Nest #27: Wednesday @ 6:30
Nest #28: Wednesday after #33
Nest #29: Tuesday @ 6:30
Nest #33: Wednesday @ 7:00

Nest #33 hatched around 10:00 last night with 86 hatchlings. Only about 8 had directional issues.

Nests #27 and #28 hatched during the night

Inventory schedule:

• Nest #22: Tuesday @ 7:00
• Nest #23: Tuesday @ 6:00
• Nest #24: Monday @ 6:30
• Nest #25: Tuesday @ 7:30
• Nest #26: Wednesday unless there’s a boil
• Nest #27: Wednesday @ 6:30
• Nest #28: Wednesday after #33
• Nest #29: Wednesday unless there’s a boil
• Nest #33: Wednesday @ 7:00

Morning report:

• More turtles out of nest #25 because tracks were over the number in the sand.
• Crab hole in nest #23 but not sure about more turtles.
• Nest #26 had one hatchling track all the way to the ocean.

Last night activity:

• Nest #22 had 55 hatchlings around 9:00 all knowing exactly which direction to go.
• Nest #23 hatched around 8:40 with 93 fast, healthy hatchlings marching into the ocean in 20 minutes
• Nest #25 had 76 hatchlings helped to the water by the team and visitors before 10:00

Inventory schedule:

• Nest #22: Tuesday
• Nest #23: Tuesday @ 6:00
• Nest #24: Monday @ 6:30
• Nest #25: Tuesday
• Nest #26: Wednesday unless there’s a boil
• Nest #29: Wednesday unless there’s a boil

Nest #24 hatched about 10:30 with 115 hatchlings going straight to the water. Inventory will be Monday @ 6:30. We left this nest on the point because it was in a nice safe place but inventory attendance will be limited.

It looks like nest #29 may have hatched.

Nothing new. We probably won’t have any more nests at this point.

Nest #26 had 1 hatchling emerge.

Nothing new
Nothing happening

Nest 21 inventory: 83 shell, 15 unhatched, 1 dead hatchling and a pod of dolphins swimming by

Nothing new.

Monday’s Inventory results:
Nest #17: 131 shells, 12 unhatched and 2 dead
Nest #18: 78 shells, 20 unhatched
Nest #19: 110 shells, 11 unhatched.

Nest #19 was a real challenge to inventory. It was in the dune at a clump of grass. The team saw the hatchlings emerge Friday evening and dug where they emerged from, but the eggs weren’t there. Apparently they had traveled through the roots to get out. We were all just about to give up when finally the nest was located.

Inventory Schedule:
Nest #21: today

No new nests.

Nest #21 hatched during the night. Runway pictured.

Nest #2 was excavated this morning. 109 unhatched eggs (pictures attached and yes they look pink). Broke some eggs from top, bottom and middle and found that some appeared to have started developing in that the yolks were thicker but some were very watery. The 2 days of over wash were at days 5 and 6. The nest was a deep nest and the sand was moist.

Well at nest #16 inventory it was confirmed that nest #17 hatched Friday night. Someone at the inventory saw the last few get in the water. Nest #17 will be inventoried tonight.

Inventory results:
Nest #15 – 113 shells, 3 unhatched and 1 live
Nest #16 – 115 shells, 9 unhatched
Nest #20 – 105 shells, 8 unhatched, 3 pipped, 2 dead and 16 live

Inventory schedule:
Nest #17 – Monday @ 7:00
Nest #18 – Monday
Nest #19 – Monday @ 7:00
Nest #21 – Wednesday

No new nests.

Nest #20 had 2 hatchlings in the runway this morning, one in a crab hole and one stuck in a footprint but both made it to the water.

Inventory results:
Nest #8 – 97 shells, 3 unhatched and 1 pipped
Nest #11 – 113 shells, 8 unhatched and 1 live

Inventory schedule:
Nest #20 – Sunday @ 6:00
Nest #15- Sunday @ 6:30
Nest #16 – Sunday @ 6:30
Nest #18 – Monday
Nest #19 – Monday

No new nests.

Nest #19 hatched around 7:00 with 105 turtles speeding to the water. Lucky Team 5.

Nest #8 had 1 hatchling in the track.

Nest #17 looks like it hatched but tracks were not visible because of rain.

Nests #11, 15, 18 and 20 looked like they could have had more hatchlings out but no tracks.

Inventory results from nest #13: 130 shell, 6 unhatched

Inventory schedule:
Nest #8 – Saturday
Nest #11 – Saturday @ 7:00
Nest #20 – Sunday @ 6:00
Nest #15 – Sunday
Nest #16 – Sunday @ 6:30
Nest #18 – Monday
Nest #19 – Monday

New nest #58 this morning is located near the 300 walkway.

Nest #15 had 112 hatchlings make a speedy trek to the water at 11:07 last night. They were all in the water by 11:23, with only 3 getting a little turned around . Reported by Regan Garden, visitor.

Nest #16 had 113 hatchlings last night with team and adoptees all watching the “mile long” walk to the water.

Nest #20 had a boil around 10:00 with 57 hatchlings and a group assisting the team

Nest #19 had 1 hatchling emerge this morning.

Nest #21 has an indent.

Nest #24 was overwashed.

Stranding reported. Dead turtle on the beach this morning.

Inventory results from nest #10: 92 shell, 11 unhatched

Inventory schedule:
Nest #13 – tonight @ 7:00
Nest #8 – Saturday
Nest #11 – Saturday @ 7:00
Nest #20 – Saturday
Nest #15 – Sunday
Nest #16 – Sunday @ 6:30
Nest #19 – Tuesday (unless there’s a boil)

No new nests, but it was a busy night for hatchlings.

Nest #8 had 96 hatchlings emerge around 10:40 last night. Only 2 or 3 were disoriented. YAY!

Nest #11 hatched. Lots of tracks in the runway.

Nest #13 had a boil.

Nest #20 at only 50 days had several tracks and 3 hatchlings in the runway this morning.

Maybe we should step up greening to 50 days, especially if it is a relocated nest.

Inventory schedule:
Nest #10 – tonight at 6:30
Nest #13 –
Nest #8 – Saturday
Nest #11 – Saturday
Nest #20 -Saturday

No new nests.

One hatchling emerged from nest #13. First emergence today.

Nest #20 has a hole. Green is waiting.

Inventory results:
. nest #12: 82 shells, 35 unhatched, 3 pipped, 1 dead and 29 live hatchlings
. nest #14: 102 shells, 6 unhatched, 4 pipped, 2 dead and 11 live hatchlings

No new nest.

Nest #10 hatched last night.
Nest #12 had 48 hatchlings emerge.
Morning patrol watched as 5 hatchlings emerged from nest #14.

Inventories at nests #12 & #14 tonight.

Nest #57 today and a false crawl. Both were at the east point. Both were 36″ crawls. 51 eggs were relocated to west of the lifeguard stand. An odd looking spacer egg was used for the DNA egg.

Nest #14 had 69 hatchlings emerge at 9:05 last night.

Nests #12 and #14 both had more tracks this morning.

Inventory results for nest #9: 106 shells, 5 unhatched, 1 pipped and 1 live hatchling

Inventory results for nest #56: 129 shells and 6 unhatched. It was no wonder we didn’t find the eggs the first time and we nearly didn’t find them this time because they were so deep, probably 30 inches down.

Nest #7 inventory tonight, #12 & #14 tomorrow night.

No new nests.

Inventory results from nest #4: 22 unhatched eggs and 54 shells. 0 hatchlings

1 hatchling emerged from nest #12 about 8:30. We are calling it first emergence.

Nests #9 and #12 each had a few hatchling tracks.

Inventory #9 at 6:30, Nest #56 at 7:00

Nothing new.

Nest #7 appears to have hatched but tracks were not visible due to rain.

Nest #4 and #12 still have depressions.

Another hatchling from nest #9 was found this morning at the villas. They reported that it was strong and swam away. Bless them.

Inventory #4 tonight at 7:00, #9 Sunday at 6:30, #56 (NS) Sunday at 7:00

Well yesterday was certainly a day for the record books. The NS, nesting site near nest #1 and #54 hatched yesterday around 10:00 a.m. some folks on the beach saw them and helped them to the water and let us know they counted 40-50 hatchlings. Team JaLu put green around it yesterday evening and one more hatchling emerged. We will inventory Sunday night. Then about 10:30 last night we got a call from Caswell Beach Police that hatchlings were everywhere at the villas. It was a horrific sight. Nest #9 hatched. Not knowing what really happened but a couple of fisherman felt them on their feet, realized what it was and called the family. People were everywhere on the beach with their flashlights. Hatchlings were everywhere. Several were found under the walkway, there were tracks going in all directions on the beach. We got everyone to turn lights off and calm down. Then again this morning folks were finding them in their yards, one even made it to the fire department.

So, NS becomes nest #56 and inventory will be Sunday night @ 7:00

Nest #4 had more tracks. Inventory Saturday @ 7:00

Nest #14, morning patrol rescued one hatchling in the green from a crab. The hole looks as if it may have had more activity but no tracks. We are calling it first emergence and still sitting. Inventory to be determined.

Nest #9, inventory Sunday.

The tide isn’t as high now so we need to extend the green closer to the tide line. We will be taking more out this evening in the ATV.

No new nests.

Tourists sent an email to the team watching nest #4 saying that they counted 24 hatchlings emerging around 11:41 last night. A hole and a few tracks in the runway this morning.

Nest #14 has a hole.

No new nests.

Nests #4 & #14 both have signs of activity.

Nest #6 inventory results: 106 shells, 4 pipped, 7 unhatched and 16 live

No new nest today.

Nest #6 had a crab peeking out of a hole and a hatchling which is never a good combination. We chased the crab off and watched the hatchling swim away. I had a message on Facebook from Sunday night that I did not see until later in the day yesterday, but a family watched 10 hatchlings emerge from nest #6 Sunday night just after 9. They watched them all make it to the ocean even though the last one, which they named Dylan, took the scenic route but still made it. They were so excited and I’m glad they were there.

Inventory tonight at 7:00.

I’m sending a picture of nest #14.

Nothing notable at #2, #4 and the rest.

Inventory results from nest #5: 89 shells, 29 unhatched eggs and 3 live hatchlings

2 new nests and 2 false crawls. False crawls were both 34″ and east of Joe O’Brien walkway.

Nest #54 is just west of 629 walkway and had a 36″ crawl. It is really close to the same place as #1. Wouldn’t it be something if that were the same turtle.

Nest #55 is in front of the villas and had a 35″ crawl.

Nests #30, #28 & #45 had been over-washed and/or were covered in sea foam.

Nest #5 had 3 large crab holes and 1 dead hatchling. It will be inventoried tonight at 7:00.

Nest #3 inventory results: 71 shells, 35 live hatchlings, 49 unhatched eggs and 5 pipped dead.

Team 4 hasn’t seen any hatchling movement at nest #2 but they did see a mama turtle going back out to the ocean. One of the false crawls for sure and probably both.

No new nests today.

There was a false crawl at the 300 walkway. She had a 35″ crawl and went way up in the dune.

Nest #5 had one little hatchling emerge yesterday evening with all the support team 5 could give it. Then the rest in the picture came out during the night.

Nest #6 had one hatchling emerge about 9:45, then 15 minutes later the other 76 followed. A few visitors from Alabama assisted members of team 1 with extending the green, counting and clean up. A great experience for all.

Nest #5 had a hole and a few more tracks.

Nest # 12 has a dimple and we will deliver green later today.

The inventory for nest #3 is tonight at 7:00. Last inventory we had lots of cars parked along the road, some ours and some not. The police have a warning on their sign going onto Caswell Beach Road. It is a bit of a walk from the parking lot. Carpool from the parking lot if you can’t walk. If you park on the road, have your parking pass or expect a ticket.

Nest #53 is located west of Tom Hess and had a 38″ crawl. We had the nicest cheering section today. They don’t have many turtle nest in Ohio.

Nest #5 had 43 hatchlings emerge before dark then more tracks in the runway this morning.

Green was delivered to nest #7 this morning.

No new nests today.

Nest #3 had 34 very disoriented hatchlings emerge last night. Inventory will be Sunday @ 7:00.

Nest #5 had a bit of a depression yesterday evening.

Nest #52 had a 31″ crawl and safely located her nest just east of the lifeguard stand.

No new nest this morning but it was a beautiful morning. A great day to have more hatchlings (come on nest 2 and 3).

Nest 50 had a big crab hole for the second time this week. Nest 5 is showing a little depression.

Inventory at nest 1 last night was pleasantly surprising. We could only account for 30 hatchlings having emerged but we 101 shells, 10 unhatched, 5 live hatchlings and 1 dead. There was a big crowd but everyone was great. Thank you first years for coming out with us and hanging through the marathon. It’s going to be a great turtle season.

Nest #51 is located between walkway 300 and the lighthouse and her crawl was 33”.

No new hatchling activity but nest #1 inventory tonight at 7:00. Please park in the public parking lot. We will inventory in rain but not lightning.

Green is ready at nest #5 & #6.

No new nests this morning.

Nest 1 had 3 more hatchlings last night. One at a time, I might add.

Green was delivered to nests 4 and 5 this morning.

No new nests today.

The storm ran us off the beach last night. The lightening was just too much. We waited in the car for a little while and ran back for a look.

Gary watched as 1 hatchling made it to the water. This morning you can see (if you look closely) that there are more tracks. So after all this waiting, they did it without us. Inventory Tuesday at 7:00.

Nest #50 today. We relocated 96 eggs from the east end to east of the 200 walkway. Her crawl was 39″.

Nest #1 has a crevice this morning. That is a crevice identified by Susan, not Gary. (For those who have been with us the past couple of nights).

No activity on the beach this morning, but nest #3 did have a little crack and indentation yesterday evening.

Nest #49 was relocated from the east point to west of the lifeguard stand. She had a 32″ crawl and we relocated 131 eggs. One egg had a “string” attached…it was a first for us so we sent it off to the DNA lab.

Still nothing at #1, 64 days now. Green was delivered to Nest #3.

2 false crawls east of the public parking area, 39 and 40 inches. Some folks saw her come in, make it all the way to the dune and go back out. The spot just wasn’t the right one I guess. Please if you see a turtle on the beach please watch from a distance without lights. Disturbing a nesting turtle can cause her to abort laying eggs and cause her physical harm.

Nest #48 is located west of Bob Spake and had a 37″ crawl.

Nest #1 is at 63 days and we are diligently waiting. Some of the first years are hanging tight with us and we appreciate it.

Nest #47 is located just east of Norton St and had a 35″ crawl.

Nothing to report from nest #1.

Nest #46- 138 eggs were moved a bit further away from the water. It is east of 601 walkway and her crawl was 42″.

Green was dropped off at nest #2.

Today is day 61 for Nest #1 so it’s definitely closer than it’s ever been. With the rain and storms today, safety first always. We will check it periodically and let you know if there’s any change.

Nest #45 and 2 false crawls. 45 is west of the lighthouse and had a 39″
crawl. The false crawls were 39″ west of 400 walkway and 32″ at the east
end tower

2 more nests today

#43 was relocated from the bank near the point to west of the lifeguard stand. 38″ crawl and 127 eggs were relocated.

#44 is at the 300 walkway and had a 38″ crawl

Nest #42 today is located west of the 300 walkway and had a strange 29+/- crawl.

A false crawl near 200 walkway.

We will be sitting at nest#1 tonight at 7:30.

2 false crawls and a beautiful sunrise – 35″ west of the light house, 38″ public parking lot, yellow in the eastern sky.

Today is the 56th day for nest #1. Gary and I will start sitting tonight around 7:30 and would like for all of the new folks to join us. Please park in the public parking lot and walk east. I know it is a bit of a walk but it is a busy week at the beach and the rental houses are full.

Nest #41 is located at the lighthouse steps and had a 38” crawl.

Another one of those strange false crawls today, 38″ west of the lighthouse. Nest #32 & #38 had crab holes.

Can you believe its July already!

Nest #40 is located east of the 200 walkway/west of the Baptist steps and had a 41” crawl.

2 false crawls – 39” east of the lifeguard stand and 35” near Tom Hess walkway.

Green was delivered to Nest #1 this morning. The plan is to put the green out at 6:30 this evening. For the newbies, it only takes about 15 minutes to accomplish the task. Our standard is to put the green out on the 52nd day and to start sitting the nest on the 56th day. We encourage any and all first years to come join us to put the green on nest #1, BUT IN CASE OF RAIN…we will try again tomorrow. We feel safe in waiting a day because the nest was laid in cooler temperatures and will probably take a little longer to incubate. Nest #1 is located east of the public parking but is a little walk.

2 more nests, 1 false crawl and a really cute frog

Nest #38, 37″ crawl, relocated 120 eggs from the east point to west of the lifeguard stand.
Nest #39, 41″ crawl, east of the public parking.
False crawl, 37″, east of the public parking.

3 false crawls this morning. 31″, 32″ and 39″. One of the crawls is going to be marked as a nesting site. She went by the cabana, dug around, went up the dune and spun around, then back across where she possibly nested. Anyway, it’s 20 ft from yesterdays nest #36 so it will be easy to monitor.

2 more nests today!

Nest #36 is between public parking and 601 walkway with a 42″ crawl. She decided to co-locate with Nest #23.

Nest#37 is west of Tom Hess and the crawl was 34″

2 new nests and a first.

Nest #34 is located east of the light and had a 39″ crawl.

Nest #35 is located middle of the villas. Her 37″ crawl went right through
Nest #8 and she laid her nest right beside #8. Wonder if it’s the same
turtle?

2 more nests today.

The real nest #32 had a 35 inch crawl. She laid 134 eggs on top of the escarpment and it looked for the world like she fell off coming down. We chose to relocate because it was so close to the edge.

Nest #33, 37” crawl, was laid in a footpath just west of the lighthouse so we relocated 109 eggs.

Nest #31 is located east of the lighthouse and had a 32” crawl.

One 36″ false crawl near the golf course this morning.

A ribbon, maybe a reminder to us all to appreciate life.

3 nests today.

• Nest #28, 34” crawl just west of the lighthouse.
• Nest #29, 44” crawl east of 601 walkway
• Nest #30, 34” crawl east of the golf course steps.

We got soaked and had to hunt, I mean hunt for the eggs today. Wanda got to see the turtle nesting at the golf course steps so there was no doubt that it was a nest. I finally had to call her to ask her if she was SURE she saw what she thought she saw. Of course she came out and eventually did find the eggs but ….good grief turtles.

Look for pictures on facebook. See you at the meeting tonight.

What a whirlwind day!  2 Nests and 3 false crawls, 1 stranded turtle to Karen Beasley Sea Turtle Hospital

False crawls were 36″ @ the east end point, 33″ @ the east end just west of the point and a really odd 23″ @ the golf course steps.

Nest #26, 34″ crawl, in front of Ocean Greens.  We moved 101 eggs above the high tide.

Nest #27, 35″ crawl, dug a hole then crawled up toward the dune dug another hole to lay the eggs.

About 10:00, Sarah called with a stranded turtle.  A fisherman spotted her and realized she was in distress.  He tried to scoop her up but she swam off but was only gone for a minute.  He was able to scoop her up and met us at the boat ramp.  We were able to get her to the hospital quickly and they started to work on her right away.  She has an apparent boat strike and had it for some time as she was really weak and covered in barnacles and stuff.  She’s in good hands and time will tell.

Nest #25 laid at the Baptists.  33″ crawl.  122 eggs relocated to west of Baptists steps.

One 35″ false crawl almost at the Point.

3 false crawls and Nest #24 were all at the east end. We measured the crawls to be 33,34 and 38 inches but very well could have all been the same turtle. The tracks kept going along the escarpment until she found a good safe place.

Yesterday’s false crawl between the Baptist lifeguard stand and the 100 walkway is actually Nest #21.  She went up into the dune and when she was covering the nest, she was throwing sand uphill.  So the mound was not actually covering the nest at all.

Today we had 2 nests and 5 false crawls.

Nest #22 is east of the 300 walkway and had a 40” crawl.

Nest #23 is east of the public parking lot and had a 34” crawl.

False crawls were: 34” near 601 walkway, 27” east of public parking, 40” west of public parking, 31” in front of Ocean Greens, 29” middle of villas.

I put a video of Reece’s release on our Facebook page.  It was a pretty awesome experience.  She looked sooooo much bigger  and her skin was so pink and healthy.  Our 1 in a 1000 that got to swim away again because we took time.

2 false crawls this morning.  29″ by the baptist life guard stand and a 40″ west of 629 walkway.

Reece is going to be released today at 3:30.  It was posted on their
Facebook page yesterday and had hundreds of shares so get there early if you want to see.

Nest 20!

40″ crawl located west of walkway 601. We relocated 116 eggs to above the high tide line.

Nest #18 and #19 today.

Nest #18 is west of the 400 walkway. She had a 36″ crawl.

Nest #19 is east of the golf course steps and had a 33″ crawl. Danny and
Joy were the lucky ones who got to see her nesting. With the full moon it
was easy to see her prepare the nest. She had barnacles on her and
floundered in the sand to get back out. She went down the beach a bit
instead of going straight back into the water.

Friday news first. One false crawl near 435 CBR with a 36” crawl.

Saturday news. We had 3 false crawl and 2 nests. False crawls were at the east end and west of the public parking area. Crawls were 30”, 34” and 37”.

Nest 16 was relocated from the east end to east of the Baptist walkover. We moved 124 eggs and mom had a 39” crawl.

Nest 17 was east of the Baptist walkover and had a 31” crawl.

4 false crawls on this rainy morning. There will be a video on the Facebook page for you to see. It was pretty amazing to see them because they were all together. Morning patrol is of the opinion that it was probably 2 turtles each making 2 attempts.

WOOHOO!!! 3 nests and 2 false crawls today.

• Nest #13 is west of the baptist steps and had a 40″ crawl.
• Nest #14 is west of 629 walkway, relocated 112 eggs, 36″ crawl.
• Nest #15 is west of 629 walkway and had a 33″ crawl.

False crawls were west of the lighthouse (33″ crawl) and west of 601 walkway (36″ crawl).

Two new nests today!  Both are west of Bob Spake.  Nest #11 had a 43 inch crawl and was safely located.  Nest #12, 122 eggs were relocated above the high tide line.

Nest #10 is nicely situated east of the 600 walkway.  She had a 32″ crawl.  A false crawl, 32″, was just east of the golf course walkway.
Which one is which?

 

We thought we had 1 false crawl and 1 nest this morning. Turns out we had 2 nests. Both had 34 inch crawls and both in front of the villas. Nest #8 and nest #9 are in the books!

They reported seeing a turtle crawling back into the water and I’m sharing the picture they sent me. You gotta love a sense of humor at 0600.

Nest #7 today!  Her 38″ crawl was oh so close to a tent located on the east
end near the Baptist walkover.

No turtle activity this morning but a beautiful start to the day.

 

 

It’s a 2fer day!!!

Nest #5 had a 33″ crawl and we relocated 118 eggs from the east end to east
of walkway 100.

Nest #6 had a 36″ crawl and 117 eggs were moved from across the dune just
west of the 300 walkway.

 

 

Nest #4 today. She had a 33 inch crawl and the nest is located just east of the 200 walkway.

Nest #2 was over washed.

The sand looked like the desert this morning, smooth from all the rain and wind.

Don’t know if you been on the beach the last couple of days but the tides have been really high. Nest #2 overwashed yesterday and today. We had 3 false crawls this morning but no nest. All were 36” crawls. Two were between Bob Spake and Tom Hess walkways, the third was near the 629 walkway.  Here is a picture of one of the false crawls from this morning.

 

1 nest and 1 false crawl

Nest #3 is located east of 601. 126 eggs were relocated behind the tide line. It had a 40” crawl.

The 42” false crawl was west of 629 and looked so much like a nesting site that we are going to mark it as a Nesting Site and monitor the location.

WOOHOO!! Nest #2! 39 inch crawl just east of Joe O’Brian walkway.

A false crawl this morning. She traveled a long way and it looked like we just missed her going into the water.
Maybe tomorrow.

 

Look what we have!  Nest number one is located just west of the 600 walkway.

She had a 35 inch crawl and located her nest in a perfectly safe place.  Welcome to 2017 Caswell Turtle Season.

One other note interest … we were interviewed by Spectrum News yesterday.  It can be viewed on their website.

The 2017 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.

Hopefully 2017 will continue the trend of increasing number of nests as experienced in the previous 2 years!

Recap of 2016 Season

• 137 Crawls
  • 59 Nests
  • 78 False Crawls
• Nests
  • 17 Relocated – 28.8%
    • 2 nests relocated from Southport (#2 & #50)
    • 8 nests from east end
  • 42 In Situ
• Relocated Nests
  • 1831 eggs
  • 997 hatchlings
  • Nests 48, 49, & 50 were all relocated – 267 eggs lost from Hermine
• 6413 egg shells counted
• 1463 unhatched or pipped
• 4458 emerged hatchlings – 69.5% emergence success
• Overall 74.4% hatch success
• 108.7 average eggs per nest
  • Range 61-177 eggs
  • 118 eggs was our most recurring number of eggs
• Incubation Days
  • Average 52.3 Days
  • Range 44-65 Days
• 35.7 Average crawl width
• Volunteers
  • 69 Volunteers on our list
  • 61 Volunteers reporting time & travel
    • 4,040 Hours reported
    • 20,437 Miles driven