Welcome to DeBordieu & Hobcaw S.C.U.T.E.
About S.C.U.T.E.
S.C.U.T.E. is a volunteer organization under the direction of the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources. We are dedicated to the preservation of sea turtles along the South Carolina coast. Click below or scroll down to our view mission to learn more
How you Can Help
There are many ways you can help in the conservation of South Carolina sea turtles. Simply educating yourself is the most important contribution you can make
Volunteers
S.C.U.T.E. depends on our volunteers! We’re always looking for enthusiastic and dedicated volunteers. If your interested in learning more then click below.
Meet the Crew
We work hard to ensure the safety of threatened loggerhead sea turtles along the South Carolina Coast. Meet some of the S.C.U.T.E. volunteers at DeBordieu & Hobcaw beaches to see what we do.
About S.C.U.T.E.
Loggerhead sea turtles (Caretta caretta) nest on South Carolina beaches May through October. S.C.U.T.E., which stands for South Carolina United Turtle Enthusiasts, is one of 31 volunteer sea turtle protection projects along our coastline under the direction of the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources. The 60 mile S.C.U.T.E. area stretches from North Inlet in Georgetown County to North Myrtle Beach in Horry County. DeBordieu and Hobcaw beaches typically account for 40-50% of the nests in this area.
Volunteers walk at sunrise during nesting season looking for the large turtle tracks leading from the ocean to the dunes and back. When tracks are found, clues are used to determine the nest area. Using pool cues or T bars, volunteers probe the sand to locate the soft area of the egg chamber. An average nest of 120 ping pong size eggs may need to be moved if the clutch is laid below the spring tide line or in the scarp of a dune. Nests are covered with a plastic mesh, staked to protect it from predators and a sign is posted with the nesting date.
At about 50 days of incubation, volunteers begin to look for a depression in the nest indicating hatching activity beneath. When a nest hatches, usually at about 55-60 days, hatchlings make a mad dash to the ocean following the phosphorescence of the waves as long as they are not lead astray by onshore lighting.
When a nest hatches, SCDNR requires us to wait 3 nights so as to give all hatchlings a chance to exit the nest. We then conduct a nest inventory and dig out the contents to determine the success of the nest. Inventory date, time and location are posted on the website. At the inventory, a volunteer tells visitors about the procedure and printed information is handed out. The nest contents are dug out and data is recorded. Sometimes live hatchlings are found in the nest that were not able to emerge on their own. Volunteers put the hatchlings on the beach and let them crawl to the ocean and ‘imprint’. At maturity, 25-30 years, female loggerheads will generally return to the beach of their birth to nest. However, recent DNA studies show some turtles will nest many miles from where they hatched.
Peace Sotheby’s International Realty kindly sponsors DeBordieu & Hobcaw S.C.U.T.E. Follow us here on the DeBordieu & Hobcaw S.C.U.T.E. website to stay informed with the latest news. You can also find links, references, photos and learn about the SC Aquarium’s Sea Turtle Hospital.
the latest news from S.C.U.T.E.
Results of DEB59 inventory
North: Last night we did the inventory of DEB59 natural 7/18 north #14mm at Prince George. It was located post-Dorian by Buffie and Mark Monday night as they watched a total of 17 emerge. The hatchlings had been trickling out by twos ever since. We think this nest lost a good deal of sand and […]
Inventory at Prince George Fri. at 6:00 p.m.
North: DEB59 natural 7/18 south #14mm at Prince George We will inventory this nest Friday at 6:00 p.m. It is about a 25 min. walk from the Beach Club walkway.
Results of 2 North Inventories
North: We did 2 inventories tonight with a good volunteer turnout! These nests went through some severe weather, losing a lot of sand and with tidal inundation. It was good seeing some frisky hatchlings out of DEB58! DEB58 relocated 7/17 north #9mm Team: Kathi A., Bob B. Hatch success: 52.7% Hatchlings: 11 released DEB55 natural […]
Inventories tonight & Fri. at 6:00 p.m.!
North: We have these 2 nests scheduled: DEB58 relocated 7/17 north #9mm Inventory Wed. at 6:00 p.m. DEB59 natural 71/18 south #14mm (Prince George) Inventory Friday at 6:00 p.m. DEB 63 HOB 68 SCUTE 357 SC 8747
Nests lost & found after H. Dorian. Inventory Wed. & Sat. at 6:00 p.m.!
We had a total of 15 nests remaining on DeBordieu & Hobcaw prior to Hurricane Dorian. All were lost or buried so deep never to hatch on the Hobcaw stretch. One nest in the Middle was found and inventoried after the storm yielding only a 38% hatch success. North: Loggerheads are resilient and we have […]
North Inventory – Hobcaw hatch
We decided to remove all remaining screen/stakes on nests to prevent them from washing away into the environment. We left the signs that have the nest information. We have 14 nests remaining to hatch and pray they make it through H. Dorian! North: Buffie and Mark, after much nest maintenance, had this report: Inventory results: […]
Want to learn More?
DNR & Other Resources
S.C.U.T.E. is a volunteer turtle protection project under the direction of the South Carolina Department
of Natural Resources. Click below to learn more about DNR along with other affiliates such as the SC Aquarium’s Sea Turtle Hospital.
Serving the Community
We take pride in serving the DeBordieu & Hobcow community. From morning beach walks to live inventories, our passion is to inform the public
You can Make a Difference
Want to help? You can make a donation through the South Carolina Aquarium’s Sea Turtle Hospital.
DeBordieu & Hobcaw S.C.U.T.E. is sponsored by:
