Our Remaining Nests

I have been getting questions about how our turtles fared through the storm, so I thought to give a little update.

Although Hurricane Florence hit North Carolina, we still received higher than normal tides on our beaches. Thankfully, Edisto was spared this time around from damage but we are praying for those impacted from the storm. This was one powerful hurricane that did a lot of destruction.

Our beach changed a lot from the time I saw it last. I ended up removing the plastic screens and the posts from the remaining nests prior to the hurricane. We do this because we do not want to contribute any more plastic to the ocean. Edisto Beach had a mandatory evacuation so it was deemed necessary to remove the nesting supplies.

Following the storm, we went out to try to find the 10 incubating nests on our beach. We were lucky in finding some by GPS and pictures but the nests themselves did not fare well. I remind myself that sea turtles have been through plenty of hurricanes and that they lay 3-5 nests a season to ensure that some make it. I have included a couple pictures of what our beach looks like now after the storm has passed.

The last inventory program this Wednesday is cancelled as there are no nests to conduct an inventory on. Thanks for all those who came out to our inventory programs. In total we estimated that more than 600 individuals attended this program this year -  that is amazing!

Thanks for another wonderful season! I love being a part of the EBSP Turtle Patrol and I am so blessed to be able to call this my "job" and the beach my office.

Turtle On.