Sunday Evening Inventory of Nest 22

Nest 22 up close to the jetty was laid by our Special Needs Turtle back in July. It was above the high tide line, a criteria for moving a nest, but it was close enough that it did get washed over at least 8 times during the incubation.

After discovering a number of hatched eggshells on the surface and also unhatched eggs, we decided that the emergence must have occurred during Hurricane Dorian when we were not out there.

Last evening we conducted the inventory. Final outcome was 22 hatched eggs, but 87 unhatched. Some of those were pipped, with the dead hatchlings fairly developed but still inside the egg. The emergence and hatch success rates were 19 to 20%.

Eggs were barely below the surface

Sorting

 One exciting thing we did see on the way back out was an alligator in the road between the beach and the CCU gate! A pretty good sized one too; about 5 feet long. Unfortunately no pictures. Maybe next time...

Thanks Valerie for your pictures,

Barb and Steve