Sunday and two inventories

Finally!! We were able to have a day without rain! The skies were heavy as we entered the beach but we had no rain just as the weatherman promised.
Nest 9 was laid on Tuesday, June 11 just below marker 7. It emerged on Tuesday, August 13, day 63 of incubation. Many hatchling tracks were seen heading to the ocean. Today we found 103 hatched eggs and 21 unhatched eggs (one of these was pipped). We also found 4 live hatchlings  in this 3 foot deep nest!! They were lively and ready to go!! With the DNA egg, the total egg count was 125. Hatch success 82%. The DNA on this turtle tells us that she laid four nests in 2014-one on South Litchfield, two on Pawley's Island and one on Debidue Beach. In 2017,  she laid 4 nests on Pawley's and one on Hobcaw. And, now in 2019 she has laid two nests on Waties!!

Nest 10 was laid on  Monday, June 17 between marker 4 and 5 and emerged on Thursday, August 15, day 59. The egg shells were found with difficulty deep  in wet compacted sand. There were 91 hatched eggs and 39 unhatched eggs. 8 live hatchlings were discovered as well as 12 dead ones. 69% hatch success. There were 130 eggs in the nest (counting the one taken for DNA sample). Another  mother trying Waties for the first time after laying on other beaches!! She laid two nests in 2016-at Oak Island and Cedar Island (NC beaches) and this year she has laid a nest on Ocean Isle, Oak Island and Waties!!
Pictures by Leslie, Barb and Paulette
Post by Paulette

Mario and Sarah dug forever at Nest 9

And then they sorted the eggs!!

Each of the four hatchlings was found in the wall of
the deep nest

Egg count

Sharon and Karen worked on Nest 10

A beautiful sight!!

Egg count for nest 10

And Barb found this abandoned tent on the lower end.