Friday, August 11 - Emergence of Nest 2R

 With nesting season winding down, our sunrise walks on the beach become even more precious, and we set our sights on locating those sweet tiny hatchling tracks vs the monster mamma tracks from earlier in the season.

                           Melissa and daughter Cherith head up the beach into a beautiful sunrise

Happily, as we approached Nest 2R, we observed a textbook emergence- clear exit hole from the nest chamber with lots of nicely spread out hatchlings tracks heading into the sea. 

This nest was laid on June 16, and our Friday volunteers were able to observe mamma finishing up covering the nest and heading back to the ocean🔽 The nest was relocated due to its being laid right at the high tide line. Emergence was at 56 days.

Lots of ghost crab tracks and a coyote taking an up-close interest in Nest 3 on top of the dune. May be indicative of some perceived movement within the nest?

Lots of beautiful shorebirds taking advantage of the ebbing tide along the causeway as we returned to the mainland. A fitting end to a great morning on the Island.

                                                          Pictures by Melissa and Kim

Waite’s Island performs research and management activities regarding sea turtle conservation in accordance under SCDNR Permit Number MTP500.