Saturday, May 27th two new nests

Another exciting morning on Waties with the addition of two new nests! Nest #3 was spotted merely seconds after arriving at the beach - it is only a few steps below the entrance. Valerie, Jeannie and Barb stayed to find the eggs at this site while Steve, Jackie and Pat continued up the island.

The eggs in Nest #3 was quite shallow with the eggs found only about 6 to 8 inches below the surface. One egg was broken during probing but the eggshell was used for the DNA sample. 

Then the call; the upper end walkers had another crawl just above Marker 6. This was a very determined turtle; she climbed up on top of a dune and laid her nest up there. Good thing she didn't go any further or she would have gone over the bank and gotten trapped back there. The view of the island from the nest is lovely; check it out when you are on the island. Nest #4 is on the books.

This time last year (our busiest season ever), we had three nests and one more laid on May 30 for a total of four May nests. We still have four more days this month and we might even surpass last year's numbers. All in all, this is shaping up to be another busy year!

Nest #3 near entrance

Nest #4 on top of the dune

Probing up on the hilltop

And... We're Off! Our Nesting Season Has Started

Not one nest this morning, but two! AND the walkers even got to see one of the turtles returning to the ocean. No pictures though; she was very close to the water and got away before they could take any photos.

Nest #1 is between Marker 5 and 6 on the island. She laid it in the middle of the beach but above the high tide line, so we didn't move it, but we did place a cage over it to keep horses and ATV's from inflicting any damage.

Nest #1 in the middle of the beach

Steve looking for the nest

Part of the team - the rest were working on Nest #2

Then on to the other crawl (this is the one where the walkers saw the turtle entering the ocean). This nest is between Marker 4 and 5 and again, in the middle of the beach.  She took a meandering path on her way back to the ocean. We caged this one too to protect it from horses and ATV's. 

Nest #2 - Not a straight crawl back into the water!

The wandering return to the water

Thank you Nick and Steve for taking all the photos and to the whole team for all their help this morning!

Barb