Fripp Island Turtle Fripp Island Turtle

Turtle Nest Protection Program

25 Nests in 2010 
"Click" here for details & pictures 

Welcome to the Fripp Island Loggerhead Patrol Web Site.
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The purpose of our web site is to enlighten the reader about the sea turtles that frequent Fripp Islands beaches and about the Loggerhead Patrol whose task it is to monitor sea turtle nests and hatchlings.
Read about  Dr. Archie Carr.
"The man who saved sea turtles". and
Watch Excerpts From The 1988 Video of  "Ancient Nomads", a tribute to Dr. Archie Carr

Just before dusk on June 16, 2008, the Amerson family had the rare opportunity to witness this nesting loggerhead at the north end of Fripp Island. Waiting for her to finish digging before approaching they watched as she dropped 113 eggs. Our thanks to Michael for the great video. Michael is the Father of the lovely country singer Jessica Amerson

View the pictures from
July 11,2003 when an 
Injured Loggerhead
was rescued
  Rehabilitated and Released
 on November 7,2003

 and of a Pilot Whale that washed ashore in 2003.
 

Photo by Gary Braatz taken at sunset as turtle returned to the sea after nesting on July 1,2008. She wore two flipper tags, RRJ766 & RRJ769 Each spring the Loggerhead Turtle comes in from the sea to dig her nest in the soft sands on Fripp Island.

After reaching maturity at more than 25 years of age female sea turtles return to the beach to nest while male turtles remain offshore.

 
Check out our Nest Statistics and Pictures from
  2008       2009
  2006       2007
  2004       2005
        2002       2003      
  2000       2001
 and slide shows from
2008       2009
2006       2007
2004       2005
 2002       2003
     2000       2001     
2009 Turtle Patrol Our volunteers can be seen patrolling the beach each morning from mid May through August. We are dedicated to the preservation of these amazing creatures. Look for us wearing blue Fripp Island Loggerhead Patrol T-shirts and be sure to say hello.
Hatchling disorientation due to artificial lighting account for almost all of our on beach hatchling losses.
Hatchling disorientation can be minimized by adherence to the
   Beaufort County Lighting Ordinance and installing Turtle Friendly Lighting 
  		Two Headed loggerhead turtle hatchling. We experience occasional hatchling anomalies. This one came from our first nest in 2005 and although it certainly has a split personality it seemed otherwise strong and healthy. It was last seen swimming out to sea but indecisive as to the proper direction to take.

View our
 Hatchling Video Clip
 and see
  Leatherback Tracks 
 from Hunting Island or a
Leatherback Hatchling
from Folly Beach.

Follow this link to see how
Nest Temperatures
are affected by rainfall.

Ghost Crab predation
   of turtle hatchlings is one of our major concerns.
 Follow this link to see how to construct a
Fripp Island Ghost Crab Trap

Other Turtle Links
How You Can Help
 		 Words of Wisdom Our Mission 
Statement
Tide Chart for
 Fripp Inlet 		 Marine Conditions
at the FRP2 Buoy		 Interactive Weather Map Turtle Project
Sponsors
Click here for Fripp Island weather forecast from Wunderground
Weather Forecast
for Fripp Island

Please take a moment to send a note to our program coordinator, Janie Lackman
with your comments and questions or just to say Hello.

This Web Site is Created & Maintained by Anthony Natoli & Natweb Design
and Provided to us at no charge by  Internet Services of The Low Country

Comments and suggestions are always welcome.

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