It was a sweatshirt kind of morning. We were happy to be sporting our new-this-year Waties hoodies. Time for the hatchlings in our last remaining nest to be heading out before the chilly weather and shivery water temps move in for good.
As we made our way up island, we encountered beautiful skies and a very high tide courtesy of the near full moon and the Nor’easter churning its way along the coast. Thankfully, we did not suffer the full impact of the storm, and yesterday’s winds and rain were yielding to calmer seas and clearing skies.
As we approached the last of our the nests, we were elated to see a textbook emergence hole at the reed at Nest 15R. This nest was laid on July 31, by, we believe, our little lady who was responsible for multiple nests laid on Waties this year. It was relocated due to the vulnerable location of the original nest. It was a smaller nest - 63 eggs - probably due to it being a late in the season nest by a multiple nestimg momma. It emerged on day 56.
It was difficult to see tracks, although we managed to find a few. Wind, rain, and the high tide obscured the rest.
We were lucky to discover a hatchling who, apparently, hung around to say goodbye- possibly the last one out? He was lively with a fully absorbed yolk sac, so we were delighted to just stand back and watch as he began his journey to the sea, through numerous tide pools left behind by the high seas, and on his way. Hopefully, he soon catches up to his nest mates during their frenzied swim to the safety of the sargassum sea.
Safe travels little one. It never gets old.
Pics by Caroline and Kim. Text by Kim.
All sea turtle monitoring by Waties Island Sea Turtle Patrol is permitted and authorized by SCDNR under permit MTP500.
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