Saturday, May 12, from
Karen Natoli
Nest 01 was found by Kim M. between access POA 30 and POA
31. It was well above the high tide line, and was left in situ.
1 egg was taken for research.
Thursday, May 17,
from Nena McSween
Nest 02 was found by Dick McSween located
Just north of POA 26. The nest was left in situ
above the king / spring high tide line.
Team members were Dick and Nena McSween and Tony Natoli.
Sunday, May 20,
from Kim Mathews
Nest 03 was found by Karen N. at POA 20. Laura M. & Kim M. relocated
114 eggs near the original site just in a bit higher on the face of a
small dune. 1 egg was taken for research.
Monday, May 21,
from Travis Stewart
Nest 04 was found by
Travis S. just north of POA 13. One egg taken and
the nest left In Situ by Dick M, Sam T, Kelly T, Travis S.
Tuesday, May 22,
from Miranda Wilkinson
Nest 05 was found by Miranda Wilkinson just south of POA 17 well above high tide line on a nice slope, left in situ, took one egg for research.
Miranda W, Kim S, Sandy W, Karen N.
Thursday, May 24, from Miranda Wilkinson
Nest 06 was found by Miranda Wilkinson
just north of POA 13 nestled in a sand fence. The nest had good slope and was in a good location and was left in situ. One egg was taken for research.
Miranda W, Karen N, Sandy W.
Sunday, May 27, from Kim Mathews
Nest 07 Laura M. and Kim M. found nest 07 just North of POA 25. The nest was in a good location and left in situ with one egg taken for research. Is was truly a joint effort and great team work between us. Plus we had two good luck charms helping us today, Laura’s granddaughters Sophie and Sierra.
Monday, May 28, from Vanessa Penaherrera
Nest 08 was found by Cesar and Vanessa Penaherrera in Zone 2, just south of POA 23. Mama turtle made a textbook crawl, with a classic nesting area. Jessica and group determined that the nest was in the tide wash zone of future high tides, so 110 eggs were moved directly back to the dune revetment area and 2 eggs were taken for DNA. It was the first nest for rookies Vanessa, Cesar, and our intern, Jake! Nice team effort with several sets of curious vacationers in observance of our efforts.
Tuesday, May 29, from Sandy White
Nest 09 was found by Mary G. and Sandy W., just north of
POA 17, just above high tide line, but in low area. 113 eggs were relocated to a seaward side of a dune, just south of
POA 17. Ghost crab had been in nest and cleaned out 11 eggs one of which
was taken for research. Total eggs, 124. Sandy W., Mary G., Kim S., Miranda W.
Wednesday, May 30 from Vanessa Penaherrera
Nest 10 was found near POA 13, well back into the dune area and left in situ. Great team effort by Jane, Debbie, Vanessa and Cesar.
Wednesday, May 30 from Vanessa Penaherrera
Nest 11 was found at the dune line near POA 09
and left in situ. Jane, Debbie, Vanessa and Cesar. Special thanks to Marsha P. for bringing supplies.
Thursday, May 31, from Sandy White
Nest 12 was found by by Sandy W. at POA 10.
The nest was relocated just north of POA 10 . The slope was much better than where the nest was originally laid . 114 eggs relocated of the 119 oviposited.
One egg was taken for research.
Sandy W., Miranda W., Karen N.
Saturday, June 02, from Jessica Miller
Nest 13 was found by Jessica Miller just south of POA 30 and right by Nest 01.
One egg was taken for DNA but the nest was left in situ. This is the Reichles’ first nest. Jessica M., Dave R., & Donna R.
Saturday, June 02, from Karen Natoli
Nest 14 was found just north of POA 01b. Nest was left in situ. 1 egg taken for research. This was Kim S.' 1st nest, congratulations Kim, good job. Karen N., Kim S., Sandy W.
Sunday, June 03, from Kim Mathews
Nest 15 was found at the Beach Club between POA 15 & POA
16 and was left in situ. One egg taken for research. Congratulations to Nancy Wingenbach on her first nest.
Nancy W., Laura M., Kim M. and thanks to Dan M. for bring supplies.
Monday, June 04, from Vanessa Penaherrera
Nest 16 was found just north of POA 19, in flat area of the beach.
Relocated 96 eggs directly back to a seaward side of a dune, One egg taken for DNA sample. Thanks to Linda Freeman for running supplies.
Cesar P, Vanessa P, Jason C.
Friday, June 08, from Kim Mathews
Nest 17 was found North of POA 22. Because it was laid in a flat low laying area and would be in the tide wash zone of future high tides, it was relocated directly behind the original location in a safer spot along the dune line. Our newest intern Chloe G. found her first nest and located the egg chamber. There was a total of
162 eggs. One was taken for research. (maybe a Fripp record ?). Other Friday South team members today: Kim M., special thanks to Laura M. & Pete V. for substituting and for all of their wonderful help.
Friday, June 08, from Kim Mathews
Nest 18 was located South of POA 24. The North team joined us on this one. The nest was left in situ and one egg was taken for research. Thanks to Friday North team members for their help: Katherine S., Bill M., Wendy M. and Paul L.
It took a village but we couldn't have finished or done it without you. Thanks to Dan M. for bringing supplies for both nests.
Monday, June 11, from Vanessa Penaherrera
Nest 19 was found just north of POA 20. The crawl/nest was
in a tight U turn, just a few feet past the high tide line, directly in the tidal wash area of future higher tides. Therefore, the nest was relocated directly back to the nearest facing dune. 118 eggs were relocated and one egg was taken for DNA research. This morning’s team was Jess M., Jake C., Cesar P., Vanessa P., and Brie P. Thanks to Bob S. for bringing
supplies.
Friday, June 15, from Karen Natoli
Nest 20 was located just south of POA 02, in a low lying area, very close to high tide line.119 eggs were relocated directly back to a seaward side of a dune just south of POA 2.
1 egg taken for research. This mama nested early evening last night. Thanks everyone for a great job of educating
the public and engaging everyone, especially the children, just awesome.
Friday, June 15, from Kim Mathews
Nest 21 found north of POA 16, right beside JFV crossover access. There was a crab hole that helped in probing for the eggs by Marsha P. . The nest was laid in a safe location and left in situ. One egg was taken for research. Kim M., and Chloe G. . Dan M. brought us supplies.
Friday, June 15, from Kim Mathews
Nest 22 Mama turtle was spotted heading back into the ocean and nest 22 was found just South of POA 21. Marsha P. found the egg chamber and since the original location was in a flat low laying area and in danger of future high tides wash
overs, the nest was relocated. Chloe G. and Kim M. relocated the nest directly back from the original location along the dune line. A total of 122 eggs were found, one was used for research. Thanks to Dan M. for bring supplies. We also had special helpers from Kentucky with us today Julia P. and Julie K.
Friday June 15, from Katherine Samples
Nest 23 south of POA 01b. There was a crab hole in the nest area which helped Wendy M probe to find the eggs. The nest was not far above the high tide line and would be in danger of further high tides so Wendy M and Katherine S relocated directly back along the dune line. The was a total of 125, with 3 broken down in the nest ( perhaps by the ghost crab) and one of the broken ones was used for research. Congratulations to Wendy M for finding her first nest, with the help of team members Bill M, Paul L and Katherine S. Thank you Dan M for bring us supplies.
Friday June 15, from Katherine Samples
Nest 24 south of POA 01b. This mama must have really wanted to celebrate her nest because her exit back to the water went all over the place
. Paul L had to do quite a bit of probing to locate the eggs. The nest was located just above the high tide
line so Paul L and Bill M relocated the nest directly back from the original location along the dune line. A total of 76 eggs were found and one was broken to use for research. Congratulations to Paul L for finding his first nest. Thank you Dan M for bringing us supplies.
Saturday, June 16, from Jessica Miller
Nest 25 was located by Jessica and left in situ with one egg taken for DNA. This mama turtle began digging three chambers before deciding in front of the Beach Hut would be a good spot. The Beach Hut staff is looking forward to watching for tracks! They will receive a crash course in turtles soon so they can answer guests questions.
Saturday, June 16, from Jessica Miller
Nest 26 was found by Jessica just south of POA 25 and left in situ. Chloe collected her first egg sample and noted how eggy the egg was inside,
haha! Thanks to Donna and Dave for finishing the walk, and to Dave for being our supplies runner. Jessica M., Chloe G., Donna R., and Dave R.
Saturday, June 16, from Karen Natoli
Nest 27 was found today, by Kim S. (all on her own, great job), just north of
POA 02. 150 eggs were relocated directly back to the seaward side of a dune, just north of
POA 02, not too far from the water, but high and dry, 1 egg taken for research. Total eggs 151.
Karen N., Kim S., Travis S.
Saturday, June 16, from Travis Stewart
Nest 28 Travis Stewart found unusual tracks
just north of POA 01B that indicated time spent on the beach with a
shallow body pit close to the high tide line. A ghost crab hole led her
astray in the search for the nest which was eventually located. Once found, 151 eggs were
relocated to the dune line between POA 01 and POA 02. One egg taken for
research. One egg was broken for a total of 153 eggs. Many thanks to our cheerleaders from Tennessee, Steve, Shannon
and Shawnna as well as Kim and Karen.
Sunday, June 17, from Kim Mathews
Nest 29 at POA 31. Laura M. had a good eye and spotted the body pit, there were no visible incoming tracks left and approximately three feet of outgoing tracks could only be seen. The body pit was just behind the wrack line. Kim M. found the eggs on her first probe attempt after digging in a crab hole and not finding them. 81 eggs were relocated to a much safer area above the high tide line and along the dune line just North of
POA 24. There was a total of 82 eggs with one being taken for research.
Thanks to Dan M. for bringing supplies. Laura M., Nancy W., & Kim M.
Happy Father’s Day to all the Dad’s out there.
Tuesday, June 19, from Sandy White
Nest 30 was found on the south end just north of POA 27 by
Miranda W, had a good slope and was left in situ. MW, SW, MG, KS
Thursday, June 21, from Karen Natoli
Nest 31 was located just north of POA 01B in a perfect spot, high and
dry and left in situ. 1 egg taken for research. Thank you Tony and Linda for bringing supplies. KN,
SW, SC, MW
Friday, June 22, from Kim Mathews
Nest 32 was found today by Linda U., who probed and
found the egg chamber quickly. This mama turtle was like Goldilocks trying to
decide where to lay her eggs. The first spot must have been too wet, the next
spot she dug a shallow egg chamber before finding wet sand, and the third spot
was just right. The nest is located at POA 23 and was left in situ with one egg
taken for research. Special “helpers” Kim C. & Emma C. from Columbia
join us today. Kim M. Linda U. and Marsha P. Thanks to Dan M. for bringing us
supplies.
Saturday, June 23, from Jessica Miller
Nest 33 was found by Dave R. just north of POA 29 and left in situ with one egg taken for research. Thanks to Dave and Chloe for getting supplies. Dave R., Donna R., Chloe G., Jessica M.
Saturday, June 23, from Karen Natoli
Nest 34 was found by Travis S. just north of POA 01B and left in situ as it was high and dry. Sandy W., Travis S., Karen
N. Thanks Tony N. for bringing supplies.
Sunday, June 24, from Nelle Pender
Nest 35 located just north of POA 15 in Zone 1. Tracks lead us to two possible body pits, right next to each other. Jennifer quickly located the nest chamber.. Our mama turtle nested in a wet low area, so the nest was located to higher ground and dry area.
Hayden, Jennifer's daughter was our helper. Total number of eggs - 88. One egg was taken for research. Jennifer, Ellen, Paul and Nelle
Tuesday, June 26, from Sandy White
Nest 36 was located just south of POA beach access 15 Left in situ at the base of the dunes and nicely above the high tide with a slope.
Wednesday, June 27, from Marsha Priem
Nest 37 located between POA 20 and POA 21. It was located by Karen N. One egg was taken for research and nest left in situ. Marsha P. Sara K. and Fleetwood B.
Wednesday, June 27, from Vanessa Penaherrera
Nest 38 and was found today, (Karen N was able to locate the nest after our team probed at length with no result) south of
POA 01b and left in situ. 1 egg taken for research. Karen, you are the turtle nest whisperer! Vanessa P, Cesar P, Deb S, and Jane S.
Thursday, June 28 from Linda Sigafoos
Nest 39 was located by Dick M. just North of POA 26 where the tracks were visible to him from the walkway. We had a good luck guest, Kim, from upstate walking with us, Stacie brought supplies, and 1 egg was taken from the insitu nest for genetic study. Linda
s., Dick M., Nina M., And Stacy G.
Thursday, June 28 from Karen Natoli
Nest 40 was found just north of POA 01B and left in situ. 1 egg taken for research. Karen N., Sandy W., Shiela C., Miranda W. Thanks Stacy Galstar for bringing supplies.
Monday, July 02 from Vanessa Penaherrera
Nest 41 was found just south of POA 25 in Zone 2. The mama turtle came ashore close to high tide, allowing her to make her nest well above the high tide line and was therefore left in situ. One egg was taken for DNA research. Thank you to Linda F for bringing needed supplies. We walked with a part-time family from Nashville. Their son, Robert, helped us X out today’s tracks!
Cesar P, Vanessa P, Jake C, and Jessica M.
Tuesday, July 03 from Kim Mathews
Nest 42 between POA 05 and POA06. Shelia C. dug and found the egg chamber. The nest was left in situ, one egg was taken for research. Sheila C., Liz V., Jake C. & Kim M. Thanks to Dan M. for bringing the needed supplies. We also had Kim’s cousins joining us today from Bristol TN/VA, Lisa B., Darryl B., Hannah P,. & Jordan P., our good luck charm.
Friday, July 06 from Kim Mathews
Nest 43 was found this morning just N. of POA 22. Marsha P. probed and found the egg chamber. Since the nest was laid in a flat area and in the tide wash zone of future high tides, it needed to be relocated it. There was a total of 108 eggs, one was taken for DNA research. Chloe G. & Kim M. relocated the nest on a slope in the dune line between POA
21 & 22, while Linda U. & Marsha P. finished the walk on the South end today. Friday South team members: Linda U., Chloe G., Kim M. & Marsha P., thanks to Dan M. for bringing nest enclosure supplies.
Saturday, July 07 from Jessica Miller
Nest 44 was found in a little hill of fluffy sand just south of access 28 and left insitu with one egg taken for DNA. Saturday South Team: Chloe G., Donna R., Dave R., and Jessica M.
Sunday, July 08 from Nelle Pender
Nest 45 located just north of POA 03. After extensive probing by the team, Ellen Faw located the nest. Our mamma definitely tried hard to hide her nest, as the body pit area was quite large. After nesting came her hardest part. She roamed .28 miles to finally return to the ocean. After welcomed advice from Karen N. the nest was left in situ. One egg taken for DNA research. Thanks to Dan, who brought us supplies! We had extra helpers with Jennifer’s daughter Grace and William (age 4) and Micheal from Nelle’s
family. Ellen F, Jennifer R, Paul L and Nelle P.
Monday, July 09 from Travis Stewart
Nest 46, near POA 03 was left in situ. After many futile attempts at probing and digging by our north team this morning, we marked it with a question mark and a general area with our stakes. It took our Queen of Probes to come back for a look this evening and she found it. TS, ST, KT, TN,
BN, KN.
Tuesday, July 10 from Kim Mathews
Nest 47 on the North end in zone 1. It was a typical loggerhead crawl N. of POA 12. Jake C. probed and found the egg chamber quickly. Because the nest was laid just a few yards from the high tide line, it was relocated. Shelia C. dug the new location hole directly back from the original in a safer spot along the dune line. Liz V & Jake C. relocated 78 eggs. There was a total of 80 eggs but two were broken and used for DNA research. Thanks to Dan M. for bring the nest enclosure supplies. Tuesday North team members: Jake C. Liz V., Sheila C., & Kim M. We had “helpers” join us today: Andrey R. & Beth R. from Chattanooga TN and Cathy U. & Karsen U. from Blacksburg VA.
Tuesday, July 10 from Sandy White
Nest 48 was located just north of POA 25. It was left in situ. Mary G. Is great at finding nest.
MG, KS, SW
Tuesday, July 10 from Kim Mathews
Nest 49 North of POA 09 This crawl was different than any our team had seen before. The incoming tracks were very typical and then it was like mama disappeared for a few feet and then reappeared to make her turn and go back out into the
ocean. The team probed and it was Liz V. who found the eggs in the smooth area of the crawl where dog tracks not turtle tracks could be seen. Because the nest was laid in a flat area and not far from the high tide line, it was relocated. Jake C. & Kim M. relocated the eggs directly back from the original spot on a slope along the dune line. There was to total of 126 eggs with one being taken for research. Liz & Sheila finished the walk in Zone 1. Again, thanks to Dan M. for bringing enclosure supplies. Jake C., Kim M. Liz V., Sheila C.
Sunday, July 15 from Nelle Pender
Nest 50 located north of POA 02. Ellen F. found the nest with only one probe! Above the high tide line and left in situ. One egg taken for research. Ellen F, Paul L, Caroline
H. and Nelle P
Monday, July 16 from Vanessa Penaherrera
Nest 51 was located this morning just south of POA 22, well above the high tide line. Jessica M probed the body pit and quickly located the nest. One egg was taken for research.
Jess M, Jake C, Cesar P, and Vanessa P. Thanks to Linda F for bringing supplies!
Wednesday, July 18 from Vanessa Penaherrera
Nest 52 was located between POA 02 and POA 03, above the High Tide Line. There was a large differential in tracks and a classic body pit. It took quite a lot of probing to find the eggs (persistence pays off). The nest was left In Situ, with one egg taken for
research (the egg yolk looked like a double yolk). Jane M, Deb S, Cesar P, and Vanessa P with Marsha P bringing supplies.
Wednesday, July 18 from Vanessa Penaherrera
Nest 53 was located just north of POA 02. It was found above the High Tide Line, and was much quicker to locate the eggs with a lovely body pit area. One egg was taken for research. The nest was left In Situ. Deb S, Jane M, Vanessa P, Cesar P and Marsha P bringing supplies.
Wednesday, July 18 from Vanessa Penaherrera
Nest 54 was found just north of POA 01B above the High Tide Line, near the dune fencing line. After minimal probing, the egg chamber was discovered to be very shallow, only about 6” below the sand. One egg was taken for research. The nest was left In Situ. We had a nice group of young people who were very excited to observe and learn about loggerhead turtle nesting - it was their first time seeing tracks and a nest. Deb S, Jane M, Cesar P, Vanessa P.
Thursday, July 19 from Karen Natoli
Nest 55 was found north of POA 02 and left in situ. 1 egg taken for research. Stormy morning, but we got off the beach before the lightning got too close and the pouring rain came down! We marked the nest in zone 1 and came back to enclose it later when there was a break in the weather. Safety 1st! Thanks to both teams for bracing the weather today! KN, SW, SC
Sunday, July 22 from Nelle Pender
Nest 56 - between POA 14 and POA 13. Ellen Faw located the nest chamber, her third in a row! Go Ellen. Our mama crawled to a high dry area on a small dune and the nest was left in situ. One egg taken for research. Thanks to Dan for bringing supplies. Ellen F, Jennifer R, Paul L and Nelle P.
Monday, July 23 from Vanessa Penaherrera
Nest 57 was located south of POA 25. There was a nice differential in her tracks, and an easily identified body pit. When looking at the body pit area, 4 large ghost crab holes were apparent, along with one broken egg and one whole egg visible in the sand at the site, as well as a large ghost crab which we observed exiting the nest. No probing was needed for Jessica to find a very shallow (4” deep) egg chamber (similar to nest 54). Due to the nest being laid in the tide wash area, we decided to relocate the nest directly back near the dune. A second broken egg was found in the chamber during extraction of the eggs, so 2 eggs were taken for research and 100 eggs were moved to the new site. We also found an egg with green algae growth on it which Jessica Miller says is probably the outermost egg in the mama turtle’s abdomen, which can get exposed to salt water and grow algae! We had invited a group from Oldefield to join us this morning (naturalist and two interns), and also had the Sykes family walking with us (their 10 year old nephew, Finley, of Bend, Oregon, was an excited helper). Zone 2 team: Cesar P, Vanessa P, Jessica M, Jacob C. along with the Zone 1 team along for supplies and support! Kim S joined us, as well.
Tuesday, July 24 from Travis Stewart
Nest 58 was expertly found by Mary Gnau just south of POA 25. Since it was a deep vertical nest in the tide wash zone, it was relocated to north of POA 23 on a nice dune where 69 eggs (70 total, 1 for DNA) will hopefully grow to healthy hatchlings. Miranda's last patrol day was enjoyed by us all. Her sunny disposition and knowledge will be missed. TS, MW, MG, KS.
Summary
for 2018
