This week, Caswell Beach Turlte Watch had its first sea turtle nest hatch since Cyclone #8 in the wee hours of Monday morning (sometime after 2:00 am). The hatchling tracks on Nest #60 were very encouraging! (This nest had NOT been overwashed during any of the summer storms.) No other hatchlings emerged in the following 72 hours required to wait for inventory. The CBTW team inventoried last night with some sweet beach visitors present. Unfortunately, the news was not great. The heavy rains from the storm must have inundated the nest at a critical time of emergence. Most of the eggs had developed embryos, but many were not able to hatch. While this makes us sad, we are grateful that 37 hatchlings emerged!
Debby, Ernesto, and Cyclone #8 definitely left their mark on the nests on Caswell Beach, but the damage could have been much worse! We have 5 nests left of our beach, so we will be keeping a close watch during the upcoming effects of Hurricane Helene. Please contact the Caswell Beach Turtle Watch Hotline at 910-368-6323 if you notice any turtle or nest activity so we have a chance to save any remaining turtles that may hatch.
Full results from all inventories can be seen here.
**This conservation work for protected sea turtles on Caswell Beach is authorized by the NC Wildlife Resources Commission (ES Permit 24ST03).
Want to help? Please consider donating to our efforts to protect sea turtles at Caswell Beach Turtle Watch Donations.
Please be advised that all Caswell Beach Volunteers carry and wear a NCWRC permit badge. Official volunteers also have Caswell Beach Parking Permits to display at all times when they park to perform sea turtle duties. Don’t hesitate to ask to see a badge if you are uncertain who you are speaking with!
