At the causeway this morning we had two beautiful sites. About two dozen wood storks feeding in the marsh and the start of another spectacular sunrise!
Nest #01 did not emerge, just a small crab hole right inside the cage that one hatchling used to exit the nest. Since this nest is now 75 days old we can inventory, but since a hatching came out yesterday we are going to wait and see if we have a large emergence, when all hatchlings make it out.
Leslie joined our group this morning and we discussed doming the nest to make it easier for the hatchlings.
Doming. During incubation, it is possible for the sand to harden over the nest creating a hard encrusted layer, that may prevent hatchlings from emerging. If a nest is older than 40 days, we can loosen the surface sand down to about 6”. From digging out the cage, the sand was like cement, very hard and compacted. When we loosened the sand close to the nest, the sand texture was the same, very hard and compacted. Hopefully, loosening the sand will help these hatchlings.
So the first step is removing the cage. Jewel and Leslie digging deep into the hard as cement sand to remove cage.
Being very careful, we worked at loosening sand about 6” from around the nest. The reed did get broken off, so Leslie replaced very carefully. Then we had to replace cage and smooth out the sand from digging out the cage.
All done, and hoping Tuesday crew sees some tracks!
The island never disappoints on cool thing we find on our walks - today a living bi-valve cockle. Cockles usually burrow their foot in the sand. Donna went to pick it up and take it closer to water but it had its foot buried in the sand, so we just left it.
Waties Island performs research and management activities regarding sea turtle conservation in accordance under SCDNR Permit Number: MTP500.
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