Waties Island Nest Count

Wednesday, June 27, 2018

NEST #6

Wednesday's group was thrilled that they were able to experience a nest.  For some of them it was the first time.  It was also a BD present for Jewel.
 This turtle was wasting no time.  She came straight in. laid her nest and went right back out.


Jewel and Ryan digging.
Wasn't long before they found the eggs.

Jewel continued to cover the nest while the others got a look at the egg before we took the DNA sample for DNR.

Phyllis was a big help recording the necessary information

Grace's grandchildren Ryan and Emily
Grace, Ryan, Emily and daughter Michelle.
This was only part of our group as some of them had to leave early.  But they were all a big help with measuring, recording, digging, getting the DNA sample, tracking down the sign and poles and taking all the pictures.  Great Job!  Thank you!!!

Tuesday, June 26, 2018

False Crawls #5 & #6

False Crawl #6 - An incomplete nest was found 165' before mm#6.

We found this bobcat print at the site this turtle was attempting to nest and part way down the outgoing track.
 If you look close, you can see the print above at the bottom of the picture to the left.
 
 


The tide was coming in.  There was no difference in the lengths of the incoming and outgoing tracks.

The next two pictures show the print in her outgoing track part way down from her nest.



Another view of False Crawl #6 on the left.













False Crawl #5 was just below MM#1 and just before Nest #5.  This turtle was in and out with no attempt to nest. 


Just as in false crawl #6,  there was no difference between the incoming and outgoing tracks of false crawl #5

Tuesday, June 19, 2018

Why Were the Tracks Just Between the Tide Lines?

  
We were walking at the last high tide line and almost missed this crawl but for the sharp eyes of Dave Wurtz.   
 
 

 Except for the crawls between the two tide lines, there were no visible signs that this turtle had come ashore.  The first two pictures show the top of the visible part of the crawl looking toward the ocean.
 This picture shows the ocean side of the crawl looking toward the dunes.
The end of the dune side of the crawl.
The end of the dune side of the crawl from the side.
No tracks visible above the king tide line.
Crawl was exactly 36" (3 ft.)
Checked behind the dune.  Nothing definitive, but questionable because of the complete lack of any other tracks except just those visible between the two high tide lines  we decided to check. 
Kim, Kinsey and Robert did the checking.

After comparing the pictures of FC #4 and the pictures from today and checking the GPS readings from today against the GPS readings from FC #4, Barb and I have come to the conclusion that FC #4 & FC #5 are the same crawl.






Sunday, June 17, 2018

Sunday, June 17th, Nest #5 and False Crawl

Busy morning for the Sunday walkers.  Walker's on the "short end" had a nice crawl, nice body pit, and eggs were found with little difficulty.


Found the Egg Chamber


Nest 5


Sunday Walkers: Karen, Diane, Bob, Sharon, Leslie and Paulette behind the camera


Lots of Pelican flyovers this morning
















The False Crawl was just below Marker 4 - she came in at low tide and left at low tide, long crawl, both tracks.  She make it to the top of the dune, slid down a little, turned and left, we think.  There was not a visible body pit, even though Paulette did probe, just to make sure.  She had an interesting pattern within her tracks.  At least this turtle did not slide down the backside of the dune


Long crawl





She turned at the top of the dune and slide down, before leaving
Probed on the downhill side of the dune
Interesting pattern on the bottom of her shell
  


Up the Dune








































Probed on top of the dune












Friday, June 15, 2018

Thursday, June 14 - Nest #4

A lovely morning walk was rewarded by our fourth nest of the season. Up at the top end of the island between Marker 8 and 9, we found a crawl. See the photo below for the big difference in the incoming and outgoing crawls.



She was there for a long time - 36 inches wide too

























It didn't take long to find the egg chamber because it was only about a foot below the surface.

Not too deep - about 12 inches
Ruthann and Sheri at their first nest!


The egg for the DNA sample
Ruthann has a big smile 































































































We were missing some regular Thursday 
volunteers but they were with us in spirit --

Nest 4 it is!

Thanks to Elaine for sharing her great pictures!

Barb




Sunday, June 10, 2018

Sunday, June 10th Nest #3

The Sunday team was fortunate again and we have a new nest right above Marker 5.

The nest was laid in the middle of the beach, and not above the spring high tide line, so we relocated the eggs to the base of the dunes, close to the original nest, just higher up on the beach.  She laid 83 eggs, deep nest, sand was thrown and a large pile of sand on top of the nest.  Her crawl width was 30 inches. There were several ghost crab holes and many ghost crab tracks at the body pit.  It was a classic crawl.

Along with the nest, Sharon found a "message in a bottle", made for an exciting morning.

Classic crawl
Nice defined body pit






Several ghost crab holes . . .
and tracks

 
Diane and Karen moving the eggs to the new nest

Sharon's find of the day, message in a bottle
 The Sunday team:  Diane, Bob, Leslie, Karen and Sharon, Paulette behind the camera.  Exciting for Diane and Bob, their first nest.  Many thanks to all for helping with this nest.