Thursday, July 29

I had checked the nests but one (all is well) when we came upon nest #16 between MM 6 & 7. Sje came in and out and laid her eggs.  Very efficient and tidy.  

Our friends (?) the ghost crabs wanted to be the first ones to greet our newly laid eggs!

As you can see from the pictures above the nest was below the spring high tide line.  A decision was made to relocate the nest.  There is very little beach left as you approach MM 7.

We dug up 93 eggs and used one for the DNA research sample.  So 92 more new turtles are incubating

in their relocated nest, #16R!  It was fascinating.  The eggs were wet.  Paulette informed us that it is the cloaca and means the nest was very recently made.  Part of the mother was still with them!  This was our first relocation and we got a great education...both hands on and with input from Leslie, Barb and Paulette. As we laid the sand that had been at the bottom of the bucket onto the eggs in their new home I reassured them that their Mommy was with them, covering them.  A blessing!

Flossie and Bill