Now that the celebrating of our nation’s independence is behind us, we hit the Island this morning hoping our mommas were ready to get back to business heading into the last month or so of the traditional nesting season. 80 plus degree temps reminded us we are, indeed, deep into a South Carolina summer.
Happily, there was little evidence on the beach of debris from packed area beaches and last night’s firework displays. Instead, the wind blown sculpted sand was dotted with sargassum seaweed, shells, ghost crabs, various sea birds, and, about midway up the island (yeah), a loggerhead sea turtle crawl.
The crawl is one that has become familiar to us this summer. This momma, who is dragging something on her plastron (belly) making a distinctive crawl, has made several visits this season resulting in both nests and false crawls. After carefully probing and digging in a wind blown area of a potential body pit, we were unable to find an egg chamber. The crawl was recorded as PN (possible nest) #6. Hopefully, if she did not complete the nesting process, she will return tonight to finish the job.
Special guests- Emma and Brady Fitzwater- enjoying a beautiful Waties sunrise at the edge of the high tide line marked by surgassum seaweed.
Crawl, thrown sand, and windblown potential body pit
Distinct drag pattern within the crawl
Pics by Melissa and Kim P. Narrative by Kim T.
Waties island performs research and management activities regarding sea turtle conservation in accordance under SCDNR Permit Number MTP500.
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