On Patrol

Tis the season, and our lovely Loggerhead ladies are finally getting serious about their nesting. As of this writing we have twenty-three confirmed nests all up and down our beaches. And making sure that every nest is identified, staked and recorded are the Topsail Turtle Project volunteers - all 150 of them. We’ve always known how precious and few these adult sea turtles are, and for years have been using 25-30 as the age they begin laying eggs. But the most recent research puts that number at 35, at least for our northern Loggerheads. Considering the enormous odds of living that long (1 in every 5,000 - 10,000) it becomes critical that we do whatever it takes to protect these mamas, the incubating eggs and the emerging hatchlings.

For the uninitiated, and for those who need a little memory jog here are some rules of the road during nesting season, May through August. Nesting is nocturnal, and if you happen to come upon a nesting female there are very important protocols you must follow to keep from frightening her away, possibly causing her to lose her eggs in the water.

Sit down, but never in her tracks, and remain very quiet. Movement and sound distracts and disorients her. If she becomes frightened she will return to the sea and may lose her eggs. Only 1 in 1,000 hatchlings survives their first year, so every egg is vital. Never get in the way of a mama on the beach. Sea turtles are federally protected animals, and harassing them or interfering with them in any way is punishable by a hefty fine and/or imprisonment.

Wait, and wait and wait. It can take from 1 - 1½ hours for a turtle to complete the arduous work of digging, laying and covering her nest. If you can’t sit quietly for this length of time please respect the process and continue your walk on the beach.

Keep a clear path for her return to the ocean. She’ll be exhausted, and she has to lug all 300-400 pounds back to the surf with flippers unsuitable for land travel. Don’t help her, but don’t get in her way. And never, never shine a flashlight or take a flash photo.

Photo: 2009 Topsail Turtle Project volunteers gather on the beach after the June release.

While on the beach watch out for holes. If you must dig one during your visit never leave it unattended, and fill it in before you leave the beach. It’s not only sea turtles that get stuck in them; people stumble in and break body parts, too. Every town on the island has ordinances in place regarding holes on the beach, and non-compliance could lead to tickets/fines.

Please keep your eyes open for nesting mamas, stranded or injured turtles or anything suspicious and contact our Director of Beach Operations, Terry Meyer @ 910-470-2880, immediately. Harassment incidents should also be reported immediately to the town police.

Take the tour!

It looks like it’s going to be a busy summer. In the first few weeks of opening we’re averaging over 300 visitors a day. And if it’s not visitors coming through our doors it’s sick and injured turtles. We’re already so crowded some of our little greens have been shuffled back up into the “loft” (aka bathroom) and not seeing the sun makes for a very cranky little turtle. We really need your help in raising the $350,000 necessary to start phase one of our new facility before the end of this year. Our patients heal much faster in roomier tanks, and with some exposure to natural sunlight. Please, please be generous with your donations.

We get all kinds of comments from the wonderful people who pile T-shirts and other merchandise on our tables, credit card in hand, but some of the funniest ones come from the kids. As two little tow-headed brothers plopped their stuffed turtles on the table in front of me I asked if they had thought about names for them. The older one spoke up immediately and informed me that his sea turtle was named “Lightening.”  Think about it - we did - and we just may have a patient named “Lightening” in the near future.

Visiting hours are from 2-4 PM daily, EXCEPT Wednesday and Sunday. Lines can be long, so come prepared with sunscreen and umbrellas for shade. We reserve the right to close without notice during hazardous weather and for incoming turtles.

Hear the Talk!

Join us at the Surf City Community Center for a great family-oriented program on the mysterious lives of sea turtles. Turtle Talk is a great way to learn about these majestic creatures, with plenty of handouts and hands-on activities for every age. The program is free and is held every Wednesday from 3:45 - 4:45 PM, through Labor Day. Bring your camera, and donations for our turtles are gratefully accepted.

Questions, comments or suggestions for stories
Contact me at: flippers@embarqmail.com