Waties Island Nest Count

Monday, September 7, 2020

Monday, September 7, Labor Day

 Hoping you, your family and friends had a wonderful Labor Day weekend.  I was holding out in  updating everyone with some good news, but that did not happen today and did not want to wait any longer to let you know what is happening.

In summary, here is what nests are still active.  We have 6 nests still to hatch/emerge.  We are waiting for Nest #11 to emerge, this nest is 62 days old today, and we are crossing our fingers.  After Nest #11, we have nests #13,#14,#15,#16 and #18.  We have cages on nests #11, #16, and #18 hoping this deters our resident digging canine (Coyote).  Since we lost most of nest markers, it has been a challenge to locate our nests.  At this time, we have DNR poles marking the general vicinity of some of our nests.  We are hoping our Ghost Crabs assist us in locating the nest chamber and hoping the Coyote does not dig up any more of our nests.  

Here's the other stats we have - 3 nests, #1-3 were inventoried with pleasing results. Nine of our nests were lost, several to the tidal surge of Hurricane Isasias, 5 were lost to our canine friend/fiend.  The sad thing about most of these nests that were dug up, the hatchlings had hatched, but did not get the chance to emerge from the nest.  Per SCDNR, the Coyote can hear the hatchlings under the sand, and the nest is than dug up, and the Coyote has a meal.  It has been a very challenging season this year.

On a happier note, I have posted some pictures of the island for your viewing pleasure.

The tree at the inlet

You never know what you are going 
                                                to find on the beach

The dunes - middle of the island                                                          


the sailboat and a Ghost Crab


The "new" saltwater pond, above Marker Post 8, and the Shrimper Rigging made it through the hurrucane
The dunes at the top of the island




Nest #11 and Nest #16 - we decorated the cages with flag garland that waves and makes noise when the wind blows, another Coyote determent
The Jetty took a major hit from the hurricane tidal surge
Bobcat tracks
and the island at Hog Inlet


Good morning . . . 


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