Waties Island Nest Count

Wednesday, September 4, 2019

NEST #19 INVENTORY JUST BEFORE HURRICANE DORIAN

Nest #19 emerged three days ago during the King Tide cycle and just in time to do our inventory before Hurricane Dorian was due to arrive.


The nest marker had been washed away so it took some time and a little digging to find the nest.  Thank goodness for pictures.


The sand was hard due to all the wash overs.  Finally we found the first of what turned out to be 33 live hatchlings


But, we were able to release them from the nest and


they very happily made their way to the ocean



The results of the inventory:
Shells @ 50% or more = 36
Shells found prior to inventory including DNA sample = 10
Unhatched = 45
Total eggs laid = 91  


Among the unhatched eggs were the three below.  Note the coloring of the top one.  We reburied these at the top.


We were happy to be able to see the hatchlings make it to the ocean prior
to the hurricane.

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