Inventory of Nest 6

We had a nice cloudy start, but the bugs on the beach were brutal.  By the time we were done it was hot.

 Today this nest was 71 days old.  Because we had no indication at all that this nest had emerged (very smooth at reed, not even an indentation, and no hatchling tracks) we can inventory it at day 70.  We did it today so Saturday's group did not have to do two inventories in one day. None of  us expected a good outcome.

As Kim and Karen  were digging into  the nest there was no bad odor and finally Karen found an eggshell. Turns out it was a wonderful out come.  Total eggs laid  on 6/11 - 105, minus one taken for DNA sample when nest was found. So out of 104 eggs laid, today's inventory was 95 hatched and 9 unhatched.  With a hatch and emergence success both of 90.4.

This turtle has been laying nests on Waties since 2011.  She lays at least 4 nests almost every two years. So far this year this is her second nest,  first one Nest #2 on May 29th.

Very smooth 

Sunday team all pitching in.

All done

Nest was about 18" deep.

Leslie got to ride today!