Thursday adventure- Nest#24 discovered/hatched - Inventory N#10

Warm, cloudy, windless start to our morning on Waties. Short end covered, then all made their way up the beach, checking nests and closely searching for hatchlings or their tracks on our way to complete the inventory of N#10. As we walked, we wondered if more surprises would await us…

Stopped at N23 (previously PN8)  discovered and caged yesterday. Couple of ghost crab holes within the cage. Checked for any crabs in the nest- none . Although we appreciate the ghost crab’s help yesterday in helping us find this nest, we don’t feel that entitles them to a free buffet from here on out, so we filled in the holes, installed a screen and reinstalled the cage. 

Lots of other critters also patrolling the beach 

As we passed M5 approaching our destination at N#10, yep, we got our surprise. A large, but shallow canine dug out hole very near PN #3 marker (6-25) with lots of hatchling tracks leading to the tide line. No evidence of egg shells or hatchlings. From the tracks, and our investigation, it appears the nest emerged before the coyote dug in the area of the nest😊

The nest was marked, reed placed, GPS’d, triangulated and caged. Inventory will be Sunday.

Finally we arrived at N#10. Val walked the rest of the island checking all nests- all good- while we commenced with the inventory. First timer Brenda and Erin shared digging honors, which may have been a tactical error in that the nest was vey deep - at least 18-20 inches before the first eggs were reached- and they were our shortest participants! As you can see, they were about to get swallowed up when Leslie, stepped in and used her height to her advantage in getting to the bottom of the nest.

Smaller nest, but a decent result. 89 eggs laid. One sacrificed for DNA, 79 hatched eggs, 8 unhatched eggs. No dead or live hatchlings. 

I’m posting this picture from above again, as I believe it represents a microcosm of the unique year we’ve had in finding these nests. Look at all the notations and cross-outs on the pole. Started out as FC#22, was reconsidered and changed to PN#8, and now N#24!

The Thursday crew appreciates the help today from our additional volunteer and leads. Thanks to Bill and Leslie for the additional photos.