- Year End Summary – 2017
- 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%
- 17 Relocated – 29.3%
- 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
- 109 Crawls
- Last Inventory of the Season, October 5
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
- Wednesday, October 4
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.
- Monday, October 2
- Sunday, September 24
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.
- Saturday, September 23
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.
- Friday, September 22
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.
- Thursday, September 21
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. ??
- Wednesday, September 20
- Tuesday, September 19
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
- Sunday, September 17
Nest #52 had 61 hatchlings emerge last night around 10:30.
- Saturday, September 16
Nest #52 had one more hatchling emerge last night
- Thursday, September 14
Nest 52 had 26 hatchlings emerge yesterday evening and 6 more this morning.
- Wednesday, September 13
Nest 51 had 60 hatchlings emerge.
Inventory resulted in 60 shells and 20 unhatched eggs. - Tuesday, September 12
- Saturday, September 10
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.
- Friday, September 9
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.
- Thursday, September 8
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 - Tuesday, September 5
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 - Monday, September 4
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 unhatchedInventory 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 - Sunday, September 3
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 - Saturday, September 2
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 – - Friday, September 1
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
- Thursday, August 31
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 - Wednesday, August 30
- Tuesday, August 29
Nothing to report this morning….which is a good thing today.
Inventory schedule:
Nest #41 – Wednesday @ 6:30
Nest #42 – Wednesday @ 7:00 - Monday, August 28
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 @ - Sunday, August 27
Crab hole at nest #42
Inventory schedule:
Nest #39 – Sunday @ 6:30 - Saturday, August 26
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 - Friday, August 25
Morning findings
Nothing to reportEvening 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 hatchlingInventory schedule:
Nest #35 – Friday @ 7:00
Nest #36 – Friday @ 6:00
Nest #39 – Sunday @ - Thursday, August 24
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 reportEvening events
Inventory results for nest #38: 114 shells, 4 unhatched, 2 pipped and 7 live hatchlingsInventory schedule:
Nest #40 – Thursday @ 7:00
Nest #35 – Friday @ 7:00
Nest #36 – Friday @ 6:00 - Wednesday, August 23
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 - Tuesday, August 21
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 spacerInventory schedule:
Nest #37 – Tuesday @ 6:00
Nest #38 – Wednesday @ 7:00
Nest #40 – Thursday @ 7:00 - Monday, August 21
- Sunday, August 20
Morning patrol:
Nest #31 had one more hatchling emerge.
Nest #38 has a creviceEvening 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 - Saturday, August 19
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 hatchlingsInventory results for nest #30: 99 shells and 4 unhatched
Inventory schedule:
Nest #32 – Saturday @7:00
Nest #34 – Monday @ 6:30
Nest #31 – Monday
- Thursday, August 17
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 hatchlingsInventory schedule:
Nest #30: Friday @ 7:00 - Wednesday, August 16
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 unhatchedInventory 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 - Tuesday, August 15
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 - Monday, August 14
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
- Sunday, August 13
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
- Saturday, August 12
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.
- Friday, August 11
Nothing new. We probably won’t have any more nests at this point.
Nest #26 had 1 hatchling emerge.
- Thursday, August 10
Nothing new
Nothing happeningNest 21 inventory: 83 shell, 15 unhatched, 1 dead hatchling and a pod of dolphins swimming by
- Wednesday, August 9
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 - Monday, August 7
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 liveInventory schedule:
Nest #17 – Monday @ 7:00
Nest #18 – Monday
Nest #19 – Monday @ 7:00
Nest #21 – Wednesday - Sunday, August 6
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 liveInventory schedule:
Nest #20 – Sunday @ 6:00
Nest #15- Sunday @ 6:30
Nest #16 – Sunday @ 6:30
Nest #18 – Monday
Nest #19 – Monday - Saturday, August 5
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 - Friday, August 4
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) - Thursday, August 3
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 - Wednesday, August 2
- Tuesday, August 1
- Nest #57, Monday July 31
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.
- Sunday, July 30
- Saturday, July 29
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
- Nest #56, Friday July 28
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.
- Thursday, July 27
- Wednesday, July 26
- Tuesday, July 25
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
- Nests #54 & 55, Monday July 24
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.
- Sunday, July 23
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, Saturday July 22
- Friday, July 21
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, Thursday July 20
- Wednesday, July 19
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.
- Tuesday, July 18
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.
- Monday, July 17
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.
- Sunday, July 16
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, Saturday July 15
- Friday, July 14
No activity on the beach this morning, but nest #3 did have a little crack and indentation yesterday evening.
- Nest #49, Thursday July 13
- Nest #48, Wednesday July 12
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, Tuesday July 11
- Nest #46, Monday July 10
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, Sunday July 9
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 - Nests #43 & 44, Friday July 7
- Nest #42, Thursday June 6
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.
- Wednesday, July 5
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, Monday July 3
Nest #41 is located at the lighthouse steps and had a 38” crawl.
- Sunday, July 2
- Nest #40, Saturday July 1
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.
- Nests #38 & 39, Friday June 30
- Thursday, June 29
- Nests #36 & 37, Wednesday June 28
- Nests #34 & 35, Monday June 26
- Nests #32 & 33, Friday June 23
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, Thursday June 22
Nest #31 is located east of the lighthouse and had a 32” crawl.
- Wednesday, June 21
- Nests #28-30, Monday June 19
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.
- Nests #26 & 27, Sunday June 18
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, Saturday June 17
- Nest #24, Friday June 16
- Nests #21-23, Thursday June 15
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.
- Wednesday June 14
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, Tuesday June 13
- Nests #18 & 19, Sunday June 11
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.
- Nests #16 & 17, Saturday June 10
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.
- Thursday June 8
- Nests #13, 14, & 15 June 6
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).
- Nests #11 & 12 Monday June 5
- Nest #10 – Sunday, June 4
- Nests #8 & 9 Friday June 02
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 – Wednesday, May 31
- Sunday May 29
- Nests #5 & 6 – Saturday May 27
- Nest #4 – Friday May 26
- Thursday May 25
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. - Nest #3 – Monday, May 22
- Nest #2 – Friday, May 19
- Friday May 12th
- Nest #1 – Wednesday, May 10th
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.
- New Season Starting Soon
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!
- 2016 Summary
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
- 17 Relocated – 28.8%
- 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
- 137 Crawls