Friday, May 21, 2010

Cutting in


The surf has cut out quite a chunk of beach at the westernmost walkover of Park East. It shifts the sea turtle patrol areas somewhat when a Mule can't get through, but the bio-techs and volunteers adjust patrols areas however they need to in order to make sure every bit of coast line is checked for sea turtle nests each morning.

Wish me luck on finding a nest next week. I'll be patrolling Fort Pickens one day and Santa Rosa another.

By the way, one tidbit for locals or those visiting Pensacola Beach in the near future. I spotted a Black Skimmer colony within the Fort Pickens area of Gulf Islands National Seashore. It is on the north shore (Intracoastal Waterway side) between the park entrance and the ranger station where they collect fees. If you are a birdwatcher you'll surely want to drive past the nesting area of this spectacular bird. Watching Black Skimmers fishing along the shore is one of my favorite sights on sea turtle patrol.

3 comments:

jerilynn said...

I think that is "our" beach...... Wish we were coming back this summer.

Barrier Island Girl said...

Wish you were coming back too! Despite the massive oil spill, our beaches still look beautiful. We have not been impacted yet. Unfortunately we haven't found any sea turtle nests yet. :-(

DJ

jerilynn said...

Nick and Jake were just saying they would like to come back some summer..... and wanted to get together with "the turtle lady". I whole-heartedly agree! Keep looking for the nests!!!!!