Bill and Lee install new mile markers on Hobcaw Beach. Many were lost or misplaced after H. Isaias.
5-19-21 Kathi A. found this first loopy crawl on Hobcaw Beach south of #11mm.
5-19-21 Probing the sand, Kathi located the soft area of the egg chamber.
5-19-21 The nest is just above the spring tide line so Kathi was able to leave it natural.
5-21-21 Lourdes made a smart decision to relocate this nest laid on the flat beach below the spring tide line.
5-21-21 DEB01 is now in a safer location especially with King tides coming Sunday and Monday!
5-22-21 This turtle was very determined to get her nest out of harm’s way and crawled high on the dune in Ocean Green.
5-22-21 Duane said turtles can’t read!
5-22-21 There wasn’t a big body pit but Duane found the egg chamber.
5-22-21 This egg will be used to sample the turtle’s DNA which will give us information about where the turtle lays, how often she lays and if she has any daughters/granddaughters.
5-23-21 This turtle climbed the scarped beach and attempted to nest.
5-23-21 Carolyn and then Kathi A. probed the 2 disturbances the turtle made but found no chamber....a false crawl.
5-23-21 The sun rises on Hobcaw Beach.
5-24-21 This turtle was observed nesting from 8:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. between WW#3 and #4.
5-24-21 The moon provided great light for observing and taking photos without a flash.
5-25-21 This turtle did an elaborate job of covering her nest to disguise it from predators…and volunteers! Kathy begins to probe the crawl.
A volunteer probes the sand of a turtle crawl looking for the soft sand of the chamber.
5-25-21 Pat got some good probing experience.
5-25-21 The nest had to be relocated to safer habitat. 142 eggs were carefully removed from the original nest to the new one.
5-25-21 A tired Kathy and Pat pause for the finished and protected nest photo…job well done ladies!
5-27-21 This turtle made 2 disturbances but no eggs were located. She could have a right rea flipper issue that prevents her from digging a deep enough chamber. We hope she tries again tonight!
5-27-21 Beach walkers have observed mass strandings of Grey Sea Stars along the shore especially at low tide.
5-28-21 Lourdes had this crawl south of #11mm and located eggs making it DEB03!
5-28-21 Bob B. found this crawl in Ocean Green and knew it had to relocated since it was below the spring tide.
5-28-21 Bob found a good homesite for HOB03 just south of Ocean Green.
5-28-21 Bill located HOB04 in a long area of disturbance. Unfortunately, the sun was too high and hot to relocate the nest out of Ocean Green. It will be moved in 2 weeks.
5-28-21 Pick up a copy of this week’s Coastal Observer which features its’ Beaches section. They re-ran the incredible story of how Kathi A. aided a 3 flippered turtle named Gimpy lay her eggs.
The home page of www.seaturtle.org has a sad photo of a green sea turtle in a market in Uruguay. These less developed, poor countries depend on turtles for food.
5-29-21 Wendy found this textbook crawl near #12mm on Hobcaw.
5-29-21 Eggs were located and Wendy decided the nest was above the spring tide line and in a good spot...HOB05!
5-30-21 This turtle changed her mind when she saw the steps of WW#7.
5-30-21 Duane found no eggs in this crawl and ran into lots of roots while trying. A coyote or dog showed interest.
5-30-21 Those who love and respect the beauty of the Hobcaw Beach are not amused when vacationers do things like this.
5-30-21 When tides are very low, this tractor near #18mm is exposed. It used to be behind the dunes which shows how much the beach has eroded.
5-30-21 Chain link fencing from a project 40+ years ago shows up when the tides are very low. The south end of Hobcaw has seen severe erosion over the years.
5-31-21 This was a beautiful crawl that went way up on the beach....a smart turtle! The incoming track is much shorter indicating the female spent some time on the beach.
5-31-21 Walter was happy to see that this turtle crawled high enough up on the beach that her nest would not need relocation.
5-31-21 While working on the crawl, Walter educated a group of curious vacationers. SCUTE is all about spreading turtle knowledge!
6-2-21 This crawl had the classic signs of being a nest but Pat knew it would not survive this low on the beach. She relocated it to the base of the dunes.
6-2-21 While Pat was working on relocating DEB05, a turtle crawled up on the beach at Prince George around 8:00 a.m. It thought better of nesting during the day and crawled back in the ocean.
6-2-21 Kathi A. found this ideal nest north #10mm on Hobcaw that was laid at the base of the dunes and could remain natural.
6-2-21 HOB06 is in a safe location and protected...thanks Kathi A.!
6-2-21 Please be aware that we share the beach with nesting and migrating shorebirds!
6-2-21 Please leash your dogs when walking Hobcaw Beach and help protect our shorebird population!
6-3-21 Pat did a good job of spotting these tracks south of WW#5 among so many footprints.
6-3-21 Pat used a wooden probe to locate the soft sand of the chamber but had to switch to a sturdier metal one.
6-3-21 This young lady wants to be a sea turtle veterinarian one day and makes regular trips to the SC Aquarium's Sea Turtle Care Center! Conveniently, she lives in Mt. Pleasant.
6-3-21 Thanks to this family, we learned the nest was a day old. It was in a perfect location and left natural for incubation (about 55-60 days).
6-5-21 Judie found a very tight body pit of a very tidy turtle.
6-5-21 Probing and digging, Judie eventually found the egg chamber of DEB08!
6-5-21 This smart turtle crawled up to the slant of the dune south of WW#6.
6-5-21 Volunteers love these textbook nests that have predictable egg chamber locations. Jackie did a good job on DEB07.
6-5-21 The sun peeks over the backside of Hobcaw Beach. Martha took this photo on the far reaches of her morning survey.
6-6-21 Judy K. was excited to spot this crawl in front of North Beach Villas this morning and made it DEB09!
6-6-21 This turtle nestled her eggs up close to the dune below some grasses north #7mm. Brandie probed, found the chamber and made it HOB07!
6-9-21 A loggerhead emerged from the ocean while the Wednesday volunteers were surveying around the inlet. She must have realized it was to bright to be on the beach and retreated!
6-9-21 This turtle crawled high enough on the beach on Ocean Park to get her nest out of harm's way.
6-9-21 The body pit had the classic signs of being a nest with thrown, dark, mounded sand and a tight pivot area. Pat St. drew off her area of concentration to probe.
6-9-21 After successfully locating the chamber of DEB10, Pat St. protects the nest under the watchful eye of her instructor, Pat O.
6-9-21 The DEB10 team of Pat O., Anita and Pat St. celebrate with a group photo!
6-10-21 Maribeth and Donna St. had a thrill when they spotted a turtle nesting in the daylight! This makes for ideal photos, videos and learning how turtles lay their nests.
6-10-21 DEB12 finished covering her nest and was ready to head back to the cool ocean.
6-10-21 Refreshed by Maribeth's bucket bath, DEB12 heads home after nesting for 1.5 hours in the hot sun
6-10-21 Pat St. found these tracks south WW#5. The longer outgoing track is a good clue the turtle spent some time on the beach.
6-10-21 Pat analyzed the crawl and tried to determine the turtle's path and where the egg chamber might be.
6-10-21 The turtle had a tight body pit with thrown sand. Pat, working toward certification, put a reed where she imagined the eggs to be. She was only off by a few inches...DEB11!
6-10-21 This turtle came up at low tide, bumped along the dune line and then returned without nesting. The barnacle scrape on the right side of her incoming crawl looks similar to the one in DEB11 that laid today in the Middle. It was laid when the tide was coming in.
6-11-21 This turtle crawled up high and laid a very concise nest.
6-11-21 DEB13 was a "tidy turtle' which made it easier for Lourdes to locate her chamber.
6-11-21 Pat St. carefully took 123 eggs out of the original location of HOB04 in Ocean Green. She then dug a new chamber and carefully put the eggs in. The nest is now in better habitat for development just south #0mm on Hobcaw Beach.
6-11-21 Bob B. and Pat St. are happy to have HOB04 protected and in a better location.
6-12-21 The difference in length of incoming vs. outgoing told Martha this turtle spent some time on the beach.
6-12-21 The body pit had all the characteristics of a nest and Martha located the egg chamber...DEB14!
6-12-21 Volunteers always enjoy probing and locating the egg chamber of a turtle nest. Martha was happy to have her first nest of the season!
6-12-21 Wendy, walking Hobcaw, found this beautiful crawl. She located the egg chamber just below the grasses in ideal habitat for incubation.
6-12-21 HOB08 will incubate for about 55-60 days. Volunteers keep a close watch on each nest for any kind of predation...ghost crabs, ants, coyotes, etc.
6-12-21 Pat Stavola has earned her SC Department of Natural Resources certification. We are proud of you Pat!
6-14-21 This mother loggerhead picked a perfect location for her nest.
6-14-21 Buffie was happy to have her first nest of the season, easily locating the egg chamber in the soft sand...DEB15!
6-14-21 We are so proud of Steven for locating HOB09 the day after it was laid, had been rained on and was windblown! He studied the original photos and it paid off:)
6-14-21 Steven captured this beautiful Monday morning calm sunrise after a rough day Sunday.
6-15-21 The crawl difference told Martha and Debbie that this turtle spent some time on the beach. The body pit and thrown sand were other clues.
6-15-21 Debbie, working toward certification, located the egg chamber and protected the HOB10!
6-15-21 This crawl also had high nest potential. While Martha and Debbie took care of HOB10, Carolyn and team went to probe this crawl.
6-15-21 Carolyn decided to relocate this nest because it was low and right at the wrack line. When nests get washed over too often, it suffocates the eggs.
6-15-21 HOB11 was a small nest and had some strange eggs. Some were elongated and some ran on a string and are called spacer eggs.
6-15-21 Anita, Debbie and Marie look on as Carolyn relocates only 62 eggs into a nest with better incubating habitat.
-15-21 The HOB11 relocation team was tired but knew they had given the nest a better chance to develop and have healthy hatchlings!
6-16-21 Donna found a crawl with a potential nest up on a good slant in the Middle section.
6-16-21 DEB16 is a natural nest just south WW#3...way to go Donnal!
6-16-21 Kathi A. found a crawl south #7 on Hobcaw that went up in the grasses. The outgoing crawl was a long, meandering one at low tide.
6-16-21 HOB12 is located up high enough but is in some grasses. Good job finding the egg chamber Kathi A.!
6-17-21 Lourdes found a crawl in front of North Beach Villas where the turtle came in as the tide was going out.
6-17-21 This is a classic body pit with the swirl of the turtle pivoting after nesting. She goes to great effort to disguise her nest throwing sand over it with all 4 flippers and inching forward. When she feels it is sufficiently covered, she turns and makes her exit.
6-17-21 Probing with her cue and locating the soft sand, Lourdes then dug down with her hand and found the egg chamber. She said this one was deep!
6-17-21 Buffie and Mark found thousands of live sea stars at low tide last night in the intertidal zone.
6-18-21 This was one of 2 crawls Bob B., Lori and Michael found on their sunrise Hobcaw walk.
6-18-21 It was a team effort with Bob instructing and Lori & Michael learning how to probe and locate the chamber. Bob eventually found the soft sand and let Lori dig down to touch her first turtle egg!
6-18-21 This was a very tidy turtle that made a beeline to the low dune, nested and made a beeline back to the ocean.
6-18-21 Determined Lori found the soft sand of the chamber on her 10th probe!
6-18-21 Bob was proud of his 2 students and they had a great learning experience with their first couple of nests!
6-19-21 Buffie found this loopy crawl north #15mm on Prince George Beach. It was like a puzzle to figure out the turtle's path.
6-19-21 Buffie zeroed in on the body pit as the most likely area that the turtle nested...and she was correct!
6-19-21 Debbie who is working toward certification had the chance to assist in 2 nest relocations this morning. Mark and Buffie, her instructors, were impressed with her ability:)
6-19-21 With Mark instructing, Debbie relocated DEB08 laid on 6/5. After 2 weeks it can be carefully moved to the slant of the dune for healthier incubation.
6-19-21 Many of the eggs were discolored likely to moisture from wash overs by the ocean. It is good the nest was relocated.
6-19-21 Volunteer Pat explains the turtle's life cycle to this Hobcaw Barony children's group.
6-19-21 The group enjoyed Kathi's story of Gimpy, the 3 flippered turtle. She actually assisted Gimpy in digging her egg chamber!
6-19-21 The turtle's tracks from a nest laid yesterday were still visible. Wendy & Pat show how to read the incoming/outgoing tracks.
6-19-21 The group gathered to document their time on Hobcaw Beach learning about loggerheads.
6-20-21 This morning's rain blurred this crawl in front of the Beach Club.
6-20-21 The body pit, obscured by the rain, still showed the signs of being a nest. Judy probed and located the egg chamber.
6-20-21 Judy protected DEB19 and later surrounded it with pink surveyors tape. It was laid in a high traffic area.
6-21-21 Last night's heavy rain made the tracks of DEB21 blurry. Buffie, Jean and Mark noticed this classic crawl on their return walk. It was just south #11mm on the North end.
6-21-21 Jean, working toward SCDNR certification, got her first experience probing a turtle nest. Buffie and Mark said she located the soft sand, digging down to find eggs!
6-21-21 DEB20 had to be relocated because it was laid below the spring tide line. It is also in a low area prone to tidal flooding.
6-21-21 Jean was excited to locate and then relocate and protect her first turtle nest, DEB21...go Jean!
6-21-21 Walter found this crawl just north WW#7 in an area prone to wash overs. He had to relocate it north to WW#6.
6-21-21 Walter's probe marks the location of the egg chamber of DEB20.
6-21-21 This large loggerhead was observed returning after nesting on Prince George Beach around 10:00 p.m.
6-21-22 It was a beautiful nest but volunteers Buffie and Mark knew it would need relocation to higher ground for safe incubation.
6-22-21 After Beth located the egg chamber, Marie helped transfer the eggs from the original nest to the new one.
6-22-21 With their mission accomplished, Beth and Marie celebrate with a selfie:)
6-22-21 The Ocean Green area is prone to tidal flooding so all nests much be relocated south. Robin found this south of WW#12.
6-22-21 Working together, Robin and Judy relocated HOB15 to south #0mm.
6-22-21 Robin was glad to have Judy's help as the retrieved 105 eggs from HOB15 and carried them south.
6-23-21 DEB09 was one of many nest that had a wash over during last night's King tide.
6-24-21 DEB13 was laid above the spring tide line but the new King tide line is well beyond.
6-23-21 DEB02 in the Middle section suffered being washed over last night. There was a river that formed in front of it...not good.
6-24-21 This was one determined turtle to scale this high dune in Ocean Green!
6-24-21 Steven easily located the egg chamber of HOB16 and left it natural. We will keep a watchful eye on this one since this is an artificial dune and can be swept away in a storm/hurricane.
6-25-21 This turtle knew to crawl up on the dune so the eggs would be high and dry for the best incubation.
6-25-21 This body pit had the broken vegetation which tells the volunteers that the turtle dug and likely deposited her eggs.
6-25-21 Donna (center) was happy to locate the egg chamber of DEB23 and protect the nest with Maribeth and Bob assisting.
6-25-21 Lori and Michael, also working toward certification, learned another aspect of being a turtle volunteer is nest maintenance. The King tide dumped up to 6 inches of additional sand onto nests.
6-25-21 This nest had 4-6 inches of sand which would slow down incubation. Duane, Lori and Michael worked together to clear it.
6-25-21 HOB13 after maintenance.
6-25-21 Lori worked solo to clear off HOB14 of 4 inches of accumulated sand.
6-25-21 Lori showed "the boys" she was up to the task and did a good job on HOB14!
6-25-21 A young exhausted loggerhead mother heads back to the ocean after laying her nest at Prince George. Buffie and Mark were fortunate to watch the entire process.
6-25-21 The turtle left this tidy body pit seen under the light of the full moon.
6-26-21 This morning, Buffie probed the nest laid in front of her house (below the spring tide line) and located the egg chamber. She and Mark relocated the clutch of DEB24 directly back to the slant of the dune for safer incubation.
6-26-21 This was one of 2 crawls in the Middle section. Lori and Michael, working toward certification, got some good experience working with Betsy and learning the nest locating process.
6-26-21 This was a very efficient turtle and didn't expend more energy than she had to, to lay her nest...a tidy turtle.
6-26-21 Lori looks on as Michael locates his first turtle nest, DEB25 in front of Pioneer Place Villas!
6-26-21 As the rain began to fall, Michael stops for a photo documenting his first turtle nest...congratulations!
6-26-21 Kathi A. and Bill had no luck finding eggs in this crawl at WW#5. It could be the same turtle as DEB25 just to the north.
6-26-21 Wendy tried to locate the egg chamber of this crawl but, after trying for a while, called it a false crawl.
6-27-21 HOB17 crawled over HOB11 in her effort to nest.
6-27-21 The turtle actually lifted the screen of HOB11 while digging her chamber.
6-27-21 Brandie successfully located the chamber of HOB17 and was grateful it was 2-3 ft. south of HOB11!
6-28-21 Buffie & Mark surrounded DEB19 with a wider border to protect it better from the many people that will be on the beach in the Beach Club area.
6-28-21 A second turtle made the arduous climb up the dune in Ocean Green. Her choice of places to lay her eggs was not a good one:(
6-28-21 Steven was worried this nest, laid in the middle of the pathway, would get stepped on before he could return to relocate it. Bill temporarily staked it off.
6-28-21 After spending time probing a crawl south #2mm and finding no eggs, Steven easily located the egg chamber of HOB18 north #1mm on Hobcaw.
6-28-21 Steven was busy working on crawls to the south so Bill and Betsy went to help find and relocate HOB19. They moved it to the growing "nursery" area just south #0mm on Hobcaw.
6-29-20 It is such a pleasure to follow a crawl that goes above the tide line and has a concise body pit. Beth and Pat St. found this one in front of N. Beach Villas.
6-29-21 Both volunteers probed the area but Beth located the egg chamber of DEB26!
6-29-21 Wendy had this crawl south #2mm on Hobcaw that went up in the tall grasses. She knew it would be interesting to probe.
6-29-21 This turtle was determined to get her nest out of harm's way.
6-29-21 Wendy did a great job locating the egg chamber of HOB20 among all the grasses and roots.
6-29-21 This fox seems to have a rat in it's mouth. The species is great for controlling rats which are so prevalent in the planted grasses in the medians and on the golf course. People should not be attempting to control the fox population.
7-2-21 Pat and John found this crawl just north WW#6.
7-2-21 The turtle came in on the north side, dug her chamber, covered it and made a pivot and went back in the ocean. The process can take about 1.5 hours. John probed and located the egg chamber, leaving the nest natural.
7-2-21 Happy the dry spell of no nests is over, Pat and John paused to document their find, DEB27!
7-3-21 Jackie found a crawl in the Middle right at WW#3.
7-3-21 DEB28 could remain natural since it was above the spring tide line. Way to go Jackie!
7-3-21 Wendy's activity on Hobcaw was a crawl where the turtle bumped along the dune but found a spot to climb up and lay her eggs.
7-3-21 HOB21 is in a good spot for incubation, a clearing on a low dune...nice job Wendy:)
7-4-21 A turtle waited until just before daylight to crawl up and lay a tidy nest south WW#2.
7-4-21 The tight body pit allowed Carolyn to locate the egg chamber quickly.
7-4-21 Carolyn had the honors of finding DeBordieu & Hobcaw's 50th nest!
7-4-21 Brandie found this crawl in Ocean Green where it appeared the turtle nested in the scarp of the pushed up dune. Nests laid in this area must be relocated south of #0mm.
7-4-21 With friend Ashley counting, Brandie relocated 106 eggs to safer habitat south of #0mm.
7-5-21 Jean, working on her DNR certification, practices her probing skills on a crawl north #8mm.
7-5-21 Success! Jean located the egg chamber of DEB30 and brought out one egg for DNA.
7-5-21 Steven found a crawl in Ocean Green that needed to be relocated to the growing "nursery" south #0mm.
7-6-21 This crawl, north #14 on Hobcaw sure looked like a nest to Martha and Debbie.
7-6-21 Instructing, Martha had Debbie place a reed where she thought the egg chamber would likely be. Debbie was right on it!
7-6-21 Debbie brought out one egg which will be used for DNA.
7-6-21 Later Gator, a children's book written by volunteer, Anita Turnage is set here at DeBordieu! A portion of the proceeds will go to DeBordieu & Hobcaw SCUTE.
7-7-21 Pat, Lori and Michael checked nests for predators like ants and crabs.
7-7-21 Donna found this crawl just north WW#7 in an area where we cannot leave nests.
7-7-21 Working alone, Donna moved this large nest of 147 eggs to north WW#6. This location gives the nest a much better chance of success.
7-7-21 Kathi A. sent this dramatic sunrise photo from Hobcaw. What will TS Elsa bring to our coast?
7-8-21 Bill noticed broken roots that had been exposed after the sand blew off the nest. This clue lead him to find the egg chamber.
7-8-21 As TS Elsa was still blowing hard, Pat did had a good eye to notice this windblown body pit and possibly faint turtle tracks just south WW#3. She could not locate and egg chamber but is determined to do so when she returns Friday morning!
7-8-21 Feeling sandblasted, Bob B. snapped this photo from Hobcaw as he searched for any faint evidence of turtle nesting activity.
7-9-21 This experienced turtle went crawled above the spring tide line to lay her nest.
7-9-21 Bob B. found this classic body pit, probed and located the egg chamber of HOB25.
7-9-21 Bob B. easily located the chamber of HOB26 and protected it with a screen.
7-11-21 This crawl north WW#4 had dark thrown sand indicating digging by the turtle.
7-11-21 Anita probed and located the egg chamber of her first official turtle nest...DEB33!
7-11-21 This crawl also appeared to be a nest just north of WW#4. Carolyn probed and found the egg chamber of DEB34!
7-11-21 Because supplies are running low, Carolyn used this triangle marking system for DEB34. Congratulations on your nest and training today!
7-13-21 Kathy C. found this tidy body pit north of WW#5 with the difference in crawl lengths indicating the turtle was on the beach a while.
7-13-21 DEB35 was located and left natural. We are running low on screens so Kathy marked the nest with the triangle system.
7-14-21 Walking the North, Martha and Jean found this crawl loop where the turtle mounded sand in the top area possibly indicating a nest.
7-14-21 Jean, working toward SCDNR certification, practices her probing technique and finding soft sand, located the egg chamber!
7-14-21 Jean successfully completed the relocation of DEB36!
7-14-21 Under Martha's watchful eye, Jean carefully transfers the eggs to the bucket for relocation to better habitat.
7-14-21 Kathi A. found the crawl of this indecisive turtle north #7mm on Hobcaw.
7-14-21 The turtle finally found a suitable location to lay her clutch of eggs which Kathi located in lots of soft sand (HOB27).
7-14-21 This turtle made a loopy U turn and decided against this inlet location...good move!
7-15-21 The sharp incline and sand quality may have been the reason this turtle decided not to nest in Ocean Green….false crawl.
7-15-21 This is what turtle volunteers like to see, a big difference in crawl lengths. This indicates the turtle spent some time on the beach and likely nested!
7-15-21 Duane wasted no time probing the body pit area and located the egg chamber on his 10th probe…HOB28!
7-15-21 Volunteers collect one egg from each nest which reveals the DNA of the female turtle. We know from the results that this turtle nests every 2 years and is very loyal to the our area.
7-15-21 On the other hand, this DNA of this turtle shows she prefers the NC beaches but slipped down to DeBordieu to lay her first nest of 2021. She nests, on average, every 3 years.
7-16-21 Donna St. and her dad, Bob, examine a crawl near #15mm at Prince George. It was laid low on the beach in a flat area prone to over washes.
7-16-21 Donna is working toward SCDNR certification and located the egg chamber with Maribeth as her instructor.
7-16-21 Pat and John found this body pit close to DEB25 and probing, John located a soft area and Pat dug down to confirm it as DEB38! They were able to leave it natural.
7-16-21 Bob B. and Pat St. teamed up and got an early start this morning. It was a good thing because this nest in Ocean Green had to be relocated south of #0mm to the growing nursery area.
7-17-21 Martha, walking the North, found this crawl with nest potential south #9mm. Notice the barnacle mark in her crawl.
7-17-21 DEB39 was relocated to better habitat. Good job Martha!
7-17-21 There have been several crawls in Ocean Green where the turtle scaled the tall pushed up dune and nested on top.
7-17-21 HOB31 is on high ground for incubation of the eggs beneath.
7-17-21 HOB30 was laid at the base of the dunes south #7mm on Hobcaw.
Wendy located the egg chamber of HOB30, left it natural and protected it with a screen.
7-17-21 We are calling the stretch just south of Ocean Green The Nursery! We have had to relocate all these nests from the base of the dunes in Ocean Green to this location for safer incubation.
7-18-21 A turtle crawled up and made a turn in the dune to exit without nesting. Carolyn and Marie probed multiple times but found no eggs.
7-18-21 This Hobcaw turtle did donuts in the sand and finally decided to lay her nest. Brandie located the chamber of HOB32 easily.
7-18-21 Brandie credits her new metal probe with the ease at which she located the chamber. We know her years of experience came into play also!
7-18-21 HOB33 had a long meandering crawl with a body pit in the dunes. Brandie located the egg chamber and said it was very shallow. This could indicate a large clutch number!
7-18-21 Brandie and husband, Ryan, document HOB33 with a selfie:) Good job today with 2 nests!
7-19-21 The body pit of this crawl north WW#3 that if a nest, was in a good location to leave it natural.
7-19-21 Walter located the egg chamber and did some turtle education with a small group of interested vacationers.
7-19-21 Because we have run out of screens, Walter used our triangle system to mark DEB40.
7-19-21 Steven found this crawl in Ocean Green that looked normal until he located the egg chamber.
7-19-21 There were only a total of 6 eggs in the chamber of HOB34 and they were all broken...so strange. It may have been the turtle's last nest of the season and the only eggs she had??
7-20-21 This turtle climbed the low scarped dune north #19mm and made a long body pit.
7-20-21 Probing, while instructor Martha looked on, Debbie located the egg chamber and began the relocation process. If this nest was left natural, it would surely be washed away.
7-20-21 Debbie successfully relocated the nest of HOB34 with her sister Amy observing.
7-20-21 HOB34 is now in much better habitat for incubation just north #15mm. Debbie and Amy had a neat sister experience this morning!
7-21-21 DEB41 was laid in the middle of the beach at Prince George. The ghost crab knew right where the eggs were and devoured several before Pat and Jean could find and relocate the nest.
7-21-21 Under Pat's supervision, Jean carefully transfers the eggs from the nest to the bucket for relocation.
7-21-21 Jean, working on her SCDNR certification, did the whole nest procedure today. Pat said she did a good job!
7-21-21 Duane found this body pit nestled up the base of the dunes north #6mm on Hobcaw.
7-21-21 Probing, Duane turned this crawl into HOB35. This makes 76 nests for DEB/HOB and our 3rd best season!
7-21-21 Michael found this large hole in front of N. Beach Villas last night. With some help from the Burgess family, he filled it in to prevent an accident.
7-26-21 Mark found this crawl and potential nest south #6mm in Ocean Park.
7-26-21 The body pit area shows interest by predators with lots of prints all over. Maybe it is the family of foxes we have all been seeing on the beach?
7-26-21 Probing the body pit, Buffie easily located the egg chamber making this nest DEB42!
7-26-21 Walter found that DEB02 between WW#3 & WW#4 had a major hatch with animal prints all around! We will inventory this nest Thursday at 6:00 p.m.
7-28-21 Pat and Jean found this perfect crawl/body pit on the south end of Prince George. Jean, working toward certification, located the chamber of DEB44 within 5 minutes!
7-28-21 DEB45 was laid low on the beach and in a flat area. Jean located the egg chamber and together, she and Pat moved the eggs back to the slant of the dune.
7-28-21 Depredation by foxes and coyotes of sea turtle nests is so unfortunate and upsetting to volunteers. Last night, a coyote pulled out a large number of eggs out of DEB02 by tunneling into the chamber of DEB02. We will inventory the remaining contents Thursday at 6:00 p.m.
7-28-21 As volunteers we want to know what predator is breaking into these nests. Donna's photo shows a coyote was guilty of depredating DEB02 between WW#3 and #4.
7-28-21 With the outgoing track much longer than the incoming, Donna had a good feeling this was a nest just north WW#6! The difference in crawls indicates the turtle spent about 1.5 - 2 hours on the beach.
7-28-21 The body pit area with fluffy sand covering the tracks was another indicator that this was a nest.
7-28-21 Donna located the egg chamber of DEB43 and left it natural.
7-28-21 "Anastasia Loggerhead" wore her costume long enough to pose with the volunteers. Here she shows her plastron (belly) side.
7-28-21 A. Loggerhead's shell is called the carapace!
7-28-21 The inventory team for HOB02 was Duane, Pat O. and Wendy.
7-28-21 One hatchling that didn't make it out of the nest on it's own was put in a bucket for release. Martha showed excited spectators the 2 in. hatchling.
7-28-21 It is important for sea turtles to crawl on the beach and "imprint" the location of their "home" beach. 30 years later, some female turtles come back to nest in the area where they hatched. Through DNA we have learned some are site specific and some travel great distances between nests.
7-28-21 The crowd wishes the little hatchling safe travels as it heads off for the Gulf Stream, 60 miles offshore. Here, it will find the mats of sargassum weed that offer it a place to hide, rest and feed as they ride the current of the "great blue highway".
7-29-21 This turtle laid her nest at the foot of WW#4.
7-29-21 Pat St. probed the body pit and located the egg chamber. She taped off the nest, making a path for those coming onto the beach at WW#4.
7-29-21 A turtle made a big scarp in the pushed dune in Ocean Green but could not form a chamber in the uncompacted sand...a false crawl.
7-29-21 Kathi A. found this classic crawl and body pit south #10mm. She probed the likely area and located the egg chamber of HOB36!
7-29-21 No live hatchlings remained in DEB02 at inventory. We believe 120 made it out of the large nest before the coyote dug into it.
8-1-21 Faint hatchling tracks can be seen among all the footprints. This lets the volunteers know turtles have exited the nest. There is a 3 night wait to allow all hatchlings that are able to climb out of the nest and make their way to the ocean.
8-3-21 This turtle crawled up to the base of the dune which is an ideal location for healthy incubation!
8-3-21 Debbie, working toward SCDNR certification, found this nest a bit of a challenge due to all the piled up sand. That didn't stop her from locating the egg chamber of HOB37.
8-4-21 Volunteers Michael and Pat try to estimate the number of tracks out of a recently hatched nest. They counted about 60...an excellent hatch! The light-sensitive hatchlings are attracted to the glow of Garden City and Myrtle Beach. These turtles eventually made it to the ocean but that's why we say:
"LIGHTS OUT FOR LOGGERHEADS!"
8-4-21 As volunteers dig out the nest contents of DEB04, Walter speaks to the crowd about loggerhead sea turtles.
8-4-21 Everyone comes hoping to see a hatchling left in the nest that has not made it out on it's own. This only happens on occasion and tonight, unfortunately, was not one of those:(
8-4-21 Volunteers put the nest contents in groups of 10 according to the kind,,,shells, unhatched eggs and any dead turtles found. The results of DEB04 were 57% with no reason other than May temperatures are more variable and can effect incubation. June nests will show better results:)
8-6-21 Kids for Lights Out for Loggerheads!
8-6-21 Duane educates the large crowd about our SC state reptile, the loggerhead sea turtle.
8-6-21 Lourdes dug out the nest chamber of DEB06 but could not find any live hatchlings that had not made it out on their own. Jackie and Anita counted eggshells and unhatched eggs. The nest had a hatch success of 74%.
8-7-21 Volunteer Bob F. escorts one of 2 hatchlings released at the inventory of DEB09 in Ocean Park. Everyone was excited to FINALLY see a live turtle!
8-7-21 The DEB09 inventory team counted a total of 163 eggs out of this larger than usual nest. The hatch success was an impressive 94%!
8-7-21 Anastasia loves to wear her loggerhead costume to inventories! These children were proud to have their photo taken with the SC state reptile:)
8-8-21 This turtle crawled back over her incoming tracks flattening out her piled up sand from the covering process.
8-8-21 This body pit is about the tidiest, most concise we have seen!
8-8-21 Thanks to this group of friends who assisted Pat in counting eggs, helped protect the nest and asked lots of good questions about loggerheads!
8-10-21 Robin was surprised to find a crawl this morning on Hobcaw. We thought nesting was about over!
8-10-21 This turtle did a good job of laying her nest snug to the dune on Hobcaw.
8-10-21 HOB38 was left natural to incubate on Hobcaw Beach...likely to be an October hatch.
8-1-21 Volunteer Duane speaks about loggerheads to the small group gathered to watch the inventory of DEB10 in Ocean Park.
8-10-21 One live hatchling was found in the egg chamber that had not made it out on it's own. Volunteers let it crawl on the beach and "imprint" the GPS of our beach. If it's a female she may come back here to nest at maturity which is 25-30 years.
8-12-21 This morning Pat St. found 45+ tracks out of DEB16 between Walkways #3 and #4 ending at the high tide line. Thankfully, the fox/coyote was there after the hatch!
8-12-21 As Bill tells the crowd about our loggerhead nesting season, Bob F. digs out the contents of DEB11. Debbie and Donna count the eggs, deciding if they hatched or did not develop. There were no live hatchlings recovered tonight....maybe Sunday's inventory will have some!
8-14-21 4 of 24 hatchlings found in a nest inventory on the North this morning make their way to the ocean!
8-15-21 The crowd at the inventory of DEB16 gathered to hear Kathi speak about loggerheads and to hopefully see a hatchling or two.
8-15-21 Volunteers began the inventory process, digging out the contents and counting hatched/unhatched eggs.
8-15-21 Children seemed to enjoy Kathi's enthusiasm as she told what they could do to help loggerheads.
8-15-21 A hatchling with the condition called leucism was found in the nest chamber that had not emerged on its own. Apparently, this reduced pigmentation of the turtle is rare. One was also found at a nest inventory on Kiawah Island.
8-15-21 The group watched as the turtle instinctlively crawled to the ocean. The chances of survival are slim because it doesn't have the natural camouflage of normal loggerheads, making it more susceptible to predators.
8-16-21 Just when we thought nesting was over, Martha found this crawl just south of Ocean Green on Hobcaw in an area we call "the nursery".
8-16-21 This turtle laid her nest in a perfect spot for incubation going into the fall when days are shorter and nights are cooler. Volunteers can keep a close watch on this one. This nest will likely hatch near the end of October.
8-16-21 Martha located the egg chamber of HOB39, protected it and documented what may be the last nest of the season!
8-18-21 HOB15 had 16 hatchlings in the chamber at the inventory all eager to get out of the bucket, onto the beach and into the ocean!
10-23-21 A SCUTE Loop group prepares to hit the route!
10-23-21 A loggerhead sea turtle even participated in the SCUTE Loop!
10-23-21 Catherine (and Georgie) from the SC Aquarium made the trip to educate participants about the work of the Aquarium and Sea Turtle Care Center. She brought goodies to hand out!
10-23-21 This group did their 'Loop" on Tuesday and seemed to have a lot of fun!
10-23-21 The Burgess family paused at the turtle sign for a SCUTE Loop photo.
Betsy & Bill are ready to post times for the LOOP!
Danny, Marnie and Anne were fast runners and finished quickly!
Debbie was our first to sign up for the SCUTE Loop!
SCUTE volunteers Duane and Pat signed in participants
Sawyer was one of the younger participants and enjoyed meeting Catherine's dog, Georgie
Sawyer, his grandfather Mark and mom Alex finished the race/stroll
This SCUTE Loop group enjoyed the race
John, an avid runner, hits the route!
Paula celebrates as she nears the finish line.
Shannon hits her stride on the 5K!
SCUTE volunteers and "Looper", Tom and Ingrid brought Lulu for the 5K.
SCUTE volunteer, Carolyn, was joined by several family members for today's race.
10-23-21 SCUTE Loopers take hit the course
10-23-21 Walking for the turtles!
10-23-21 With the ringing of a cow bell, Susan starts the runners and walkers on their way!
10-23-21 TURTLESTRONG Cora