More good turtle news!

We received more good news this morning regarding our sea turtles! A loggerhead came ashore on Pensacola Beach during the night and nested.

Keep up those prayers, good thoughts, and visualization practices! Even though it is difficult to be positive right now, we cannot give in to depression which so often tries to envelope us (at least me!) in a dark cloud.

Mahatma Ghandi said, "Whatever you do will be insignificant, but it is very important that you do it." This surely applies to us during this eco-disaster when we feel so helpless and frustrated.

On your good days, be there for a friend who is struggling. On your bad days, know that however many generations it takes we will fight to reclaim and restore our beautiful Gulf water.

My first hatchlings of the season!

Tonight I saw my first hatchlings of the season emerge as I helped nest-sit Santa Rosa 6081. The absolute wonder of the experience never changes.

The photo above shows the nest which remained screened until the hatchlings started emerging. Next to it is a section of brown tarp which we used to lay on when listening for activity in the nest. And the beautiful sunset is one of the perks we have as Gulf Island National Seashore park volunteers

One hundred and nine hatchlings began emerging at 8:29 p.m. (yes, the time and conditions are documented, just like with our own babies) and were escorted into the Gulf of Mexico There are 29 that remain in the nest and they have been safely screened in for the night to protect them from ghost crabs and other predators like fox and raccoons. Hopefully tomorrow the stragglers will emerge from the nest and begin their incredible journey.

Life is good!

Tracking turtles - A nest is found

A Nest is Found

I was excited that my friend, Melanie Waite, a long-time sea turtle patrol volunteer, found her first nest of the season on Monday morning while patrolling the Santa Rosa section of Gulf Islands National Seashore. It was a loggerhead nest.

Melanie called me around 6:30 a.m. to come observe the process of relocating the nest which was too close to the water and in a very flat section of the island where washover was almost inevitable. She knew I had been anxious to see this event and learn more about our sea turtle conservation efforts.


Mark Nicholas, a biologist for the Gulf Islands National Seashore; Vickie Withington, a bio-tech for the park; and Melanie began the process of locating the nest within the body pit.

Only those who are trained, experienced and have proper permits are allowed to relocate nests now. You will note above that Mark is probing with the use of his hands only, no shovels or other tools are allowed for fear of accidentally damaging the eggs.


Once the nest is located and uncovered, Mark begins the delicate process of moving the eggs into a cooler in which several inches of sand from the nest itself has been placed. Sudden movement can cause the fragile embryo to break away from the shell, and the egg will not be viable, which means it will not survive.


In fact, the relocation process itself should take place within twelve hours of deposition, another reason for us to do patrols at or slightly before sunrise. After that point, the "movement-induced mortality" rate rises rapidly.


See how gently Mark places the eggs in the sand-lined cooler? The eggs are being carefully placed in order so that they can be placed in the same position in the new nest. Eggs removed from the top of the nest will be on top in the new nest. Eggs from the bottom will go back on the bottom of the new nest. They also make sure the eggs do not roll or turn, but keep the same orientation that they had in the original nest.


Sea turtle eggs look just like ping pong balls, don't they! This nest turned out to have 138 eggs.


It is around 7:30 a.m. by now and as the sun climbs higher, Vicki Withington shades the eggs while Mark continues to remove them.

Melanie has a big smile on her face because she just discovered a nest. We've had fewer than normal so far this year, so each nest is very important. She heads out to find a safe new location nearby for the nest.

How do you like our mule? It's a Kawasaki 610 and has replaced many of the ATVs. This is also what I drive on my Ft. Pickens patrol.


Mark and Vickie walk toward the new location which is at a higher elevation and protected by dunes in order to reduce the likelihood of washover during summer storms. Since the site was close to a bird colony, everyone walked very carefully in each others footsteps to avoid disturbing the birds which are also endangered.

Mark digs a new nest for the clutch of eggs. The nests are approximately 18" deep, the opening is narrow, but the base is scooped spherically, like the rounded bottom of a vase or a small soccer ball. The eggs are carefully placed in the new location and moist sand from the old site that lined the cooler in which they were moved is gently placed back on top of them.

As you can see, it is a lot of work to help save this threatened species, but those of you who have witnessed tiny hatchlings emerging from a nest and rushing to the sea know how quickly you can be converted to their conservation.

What a lovely new site for the nest. In about two months we'll be nest-sitting at night, waiting for the emergence of 138 tiny loggerhead turtles and shepherding them as they make that long march to the Gulf of Mexico.

Mark and Melanie measure distances and mark the nest. A bio-tech will return later to mark the site with a GPS unit.

Note to my young readers: If you would like to help save our turtles, there are specific things you can do! Many of us want to help the turtles, but don't realize our actions can be harmful to them.

Did you know a very harmful thing for sea turtles is balloons. Yet so often we see balloons on the beach, marking the site of a party or a wedding. Most people don't know that when balloons get into the Gulf, sea turtles can mistake them for jellyfish and ingest them. The balloons can then suffocate or strangle them, or block their digestive system and also cause their death.

One of the main items we look for on our sea turtle patrol are deflated balloons and ribbons. We always stop and pick them up and dispose of them. If you see deflated or forgotten balloons and ribbon on the beach, you could help us by disposing of them before they get into the water. Or if you have friends who are planning to use balloons on the beach, try to come up with an alternative.

The Krewe of Wrecks announced their decision not to use balloons in Mardi Gras celebrations this year in order to do their part for our sea turtles and birds. One by one, small changes are made and big impact can be felt.

Tracking turtles - False Crawls

FALSE CRAWLS

Some of my young blog readers have been curious about my turtle patrolling duties, so here are recent photos I've taken, along with information for my younger friends.


This is a photo of a false crawl I found this past Sunday morning on the beach within the Ft. Pickens section of the Gulf Islands National Seashore. A false crawl is when a sea turtle comes ashore but for some reason gets startled or unhappy with the area and returns to the sea without making a nest or laying her eggs.

This sea turtle did not come very far ashore - only 20 ft. - before turning back. You can see that her tracks go over the tracks of the patrol vehicle from the day before, so I know they are new.

The false crawl was very near the old Ranger's house. You wouldn't think there would be any lights or activity to frighten the turtle away from this spot since the house is unoccupied and the park is closed at night, but we do know that light pollution, also known as urban glow or sky glow, can be enough to confuse them. This is why we ask people to please turn out their lights and close their curtains during the nesting season.

When sea turtles leave the water to lay their eggs, instinct guides them toward dark areas which would normally be land, and away from light which would normally be the moon shining on water. As they come ashore, if they see glowing lights in the distance, they may say "Uh oh, wrong way," and sadly head back out to sea without nesting.

Some people say, "My neighbors keep their lights on, so what good does it do to turn mine off?" The reason is that everyone who leaves their lights on contributes in some small way to sky glow. Changes that you make, even turning out a few lights or your outside lights, can be very helpful.

Here is a closer photo where you can see the sea turtle's flipper marks in the sand as she turned around. Can you imagine how much effort it takes for a 200+ lb turtle to drag herself ashore with her flippers? So graceful and buoyant in the water, they are slow and cumbersome on land.

This photo shows you how we determine what kind of sea turtle tracks we're looking at. Notice that the flipper tracks are alternating - sort of like when you look at your own footprints in the sand. The fact that they are alternating, combined with the width of the tracks (36"), tells me this is a loggerhead sea turtle.

Sea turtle trivia: Did you know that 80% of all loggerhead sea turtles in the United States can be found in Florida?

The last nest

The last turtle season of the year is ready to hatch. Due around October 20, unseasonably cool air seems to have slowed the process. Our fingers are crossed as we wait to see how many survive.


Click on the photo to enlarge it and see what does not belong in the nest.


Did you guess a ghost crab hole! Good for you. Ghost crabs, even small ones, are a bad thing to see near a sea turtle nest because they will dig into the nest to devour hatchlings. Large ghost crabs will also capture hatchlings as they are heading to the water and drag them into their burrow to feast on. This is why we so carefully guard our hatchlings and watch over them as they make their way to the Gulf of Mexico.

Sliding into Thursday - Ike

At midnight on Wednesday, I returned home, but not before calling Kirsten to update her, tell her I was heading out, and that I'd keep my phone close should she need help later.

A hot shower was the first thing in order, then I went to my computer to check Weather Underground for an update on Hurricane Ike. I had experienced much harsher conditions than I'd expected on the beach just before midnight. Now I was very concerned not only for the hatchlings but for what a large storm could do to our island.

Around 2:00 a.m., I finally went to bed.

[Click HERE to read Kirsten's hair-raising experience at the other end of the beach in the wee hours before she returned to Nest PB 7111]

At 4:23 a.m. my cell phone rang. I'd meant to leave it on my bedside table, but had forgotten and left it in the charger downstairs. Being a light sleeper, I quickly roused and rushed downstairs to return the call, knowing it was Kirsten and that she needed help.

After learning how serious the situation had become and that she was trying to save the nest, I hurried to the site. Luckily I was only 10 minutes away.

It was horrifying to see what had happened in 4 1/2 hours. The waves were enormous and had been washing not only over, but far past the nest. The screen I'd set in place around 7:00 p.m the night before had washed away and was nowhere to be seen. And, as I looked around me, I realized some waves were washing close to foundations of nearby homes and high tide was still more than two hours away.

Kirsten--who cannot be 100 lbs. soaking wet--was exhausted, struggling to keep her footing, holding on with determination to a cooler in which she had added a few inches of sand from the nest and had stowed the rescued hatchlings. She had managed to save approximately 70 small turtles from the nest and had already released 20 into the churning Gulf waters. I could see the hole above the egg chamber where she was trying to reach emerging hatchlings, but just as I arrived another wave swept over the nest and completely filled it in.

Both of us already soaked from the waist down, stepped just below the crest of the dune where the nest had been located and began to release the 50 remaining hatchlings -- four at a time. It may sound like an excessively slow rate unless you've been in the situation. Each huge wave which swept past us frequently swept the hatchlings back into tangles of sea oats and dangerous territory. All we could do was firmly plant our feet to prevent ourselves from being knocked over and possibly crushing a hatchling underfoot. If we caught a glimpse of a one sweeping behind us in a rush of water, we spread out and searched through debris, sand fencing or sea oats until we found them, then proceeded to release another four.

Thankfully, Monica Cain, SCA, another incredible Gulf Islands National Seashore employee, arrived to help. Together we finally released the last of the hatchlings. I didn't even want to think of how they were surviving in the wash-tub of foam and giant waves they were swimming into.

Knowing that some hatchlings must have eventually been washed back, we guestimated a large grid, split up and started searching for strays. Considering you are in the dark, relying mostly on night vision, looking for a creature who weighs in at about one ounce, this is not an easy task.

Just as we thought the hardest part of our task was completed, we realized that a huge street light had probably attracted any strays back toward Boulevar Mayor and Via de Luna!

The search was on.

It took at least another 30 minutes, but we discovered 13 hatchings across the road, disoriented and working their way toward 'the light' -- Gulf Power, that is. Luckily, daybreak helped us follow their tiny tracks -- another lesson well learned for a volunteer, the difference between ghost crab and hatchling tracks.

It was approximately 6:30 a.m. before our work was finished. Perhaps I should say 'my' work, considering Kirsten and Monica were heading out to assess other areas. Kirsten and I both went for our cameras and started documenting the sobering sight of an immense storm before us as it grew lighter. If Hurricane Ike was still so far from Pensacola Beach and having this effect, what would it mean for people along the Texas coast.

I looked at Kirsten, both of us bedraggled, "You know," I said, as we clicked away with our respective Canons, "people would think we'd crazy if they saw us."

"Yeah." she smiled, "but we might as well prove them right."

Birth Announcement!

(file photo)

It is with great pleasure I announce the arrival of 82 Loggerhead hatchlings on July 30, 2008 between 10:50 - 11:05 p.m. at Nest 527-1 - SS on the Calle Hermosa neighborhood section of Pensacola Beach, Florida.

The first hatchling to emerge was given the fitting and proper name of 'Scout' Loggerhead. Scout weighed approximately one ounce and was two inches in length. He/she presented as a lovely dark gray specimen with an adorable light-colored tummy. Quickly following Scout were 81 equally adorable hatchlings.

In attendance were 15 - 20 fabulous people who were instructed throughout the event by Ms. Kirsten Dahlen of the National Parks Service, Gulf Islands National Seashore. Immediately after the emergence, Ms. Dahlen directed the group as they carefully supervised the hatchlings march into the Gulf of Mexico.

Sadly, the evening was not without incident as more than half of the hatchlings attempted to head east toward the lights of occupied units at Portofino, but the efforts of the attendants prevailed and all 82 hatchlings eventually found their way into the Gulf of Mexico.

In lieu of gifts, please contribute by shutting off or shielding all lights (including balcony lights) that are visible from the beach and close your drapes or blinds after dark!

These majestic creatures are being moved from the threatened to the endangered list due to a significant drop in the number of nests in recent years. Over ninety percent of all Loggerheads in the United States nest in Florida, and Florida beaches account for one-third of the Loggerhead population world-wide. Their fate is in our hands.

Research and learn more about Loggerhead turtles in the Panhandle, visit Traveling Turtle Girl's blog, pick up trash on the beach, or become a volunteer. You can even do something simple and easy, but extremely important by extinguishing as many lights as you can to make our beach turtle-friendly as we head into the height of our nesting season on Pensacola Beach.

Are they here yet?

Kirsten Dahlen, our Traveling Turtle Girl, attends a nest on Pensacola Beach.


Kirsten listens for sounds of the tiny hatchlings working their way to the surface.

Although I've witnessed two other hatchlings in as many years, this is the first year I've stayed so long at the nest and listened as they work their way up. It's a startling experience the first time you hear hatchlings scratching beneath the surface.


It turned out to be another beautiful night on Pensacola Beach, though when I left shortly before midnight, no hatchlings had emerged. Tomorrow night for sure! Or maybe they will be gone by tomorrow morning! It's SO exciting!

Loggerhead hatchling release

I was thrilled when Kirsten (our Traveling Turtle Girl) invited me to see fifteen tiny Loggerhead hatchlings released into the Gulf of Mexico tonight. You may read more about the reason for the delay in their release on Kirsten's blog.


Look at their tiny flippers! And note the dark color variation between the hatchling on the upper left and the others.


If you click on the photo above, you can actually see the claws on its back flipper. Aren't they magnificent creatures?


He/she is ready to say goodbye to us for several years, but hopefully will return safely to Pensacola Beach someday.


Adorable little Zander is a fantastic public relations man for the "Turtle Friendly Beach Program"! He handed out brochures and switch stickers to the folks that gathered around, reminding us to turn out the lights for turtles. You tell 'em, Zander!


The first five hatchlings begin moving toward the water.


Look at the surf the little turtles (who weigh about one ounce) must get past tonight. Hurricane Dolly still has the Gulf of Mexico stirred up, though not as bad as last night. Godspeed to the tiny loggerhead hatchlings!

Please check out Traveling Turtle Girl's site for more info on our turtles, how to help them, and life within our area of the Gulf Islands National Park.