Sunday, June 7th - some excitement on the island - two False Crawls

Today started with a beautiful sunrise at low tide - getting the reflection in the water and a doe on the Causeway.

Another beautiful sunrise over Dunn Sound

We had a surprise encounter

Love the reflection on the water

 

 

 

 

 

The Volunteers who walked the short end today quickly saw a crawl within a multitude of vehicle, bike and human tracks.  This momma was 31 inches wide and may be a new nester, since she did not seem to know what she wanted to do. She came in on the low tide per her tracks, and crawled around along the high tide line, turned and headed back out to the ocean, no attempt of nesting was seen.

Incoming crawl 

 

This is where she turned, no nesting 

 

Heading back out to the ocean

After walking the short end of the island we proceeded up the island to meet up with the Volunteers who walked to the jetty and to check on our four nests.  Well, we had another false crawl right where we have one of nests.  She did not crawl very far up the beach,  she stayed below the high tide line and turned and crawled back out to the ocean over her incoming up the  tracks.  It was an interesting track to read.

 

She crawled in turned around and headed back out.  We have "v"s going and coming!  She was also 31 inches wide, so it could be the same momma, hoping she coming backs tomorrow!
 

The Sunday Volunteers were thrilled to get some sea turtle action and we hope that the Monday Volunteers will get lucky tomorrow.

 

Pictures and text by Leslie P. 

All sea turtle monitoring by Waties Island Sea Turtle Patrol is permitted and authorized by SCDNR under Permit MTP 500.