Walkers, Heather Fife, Charlane Faught, Paula Baram and Brad Masteller reported a crawl 75 yards north of boardwalk 7. Tim Morawski and Terry Fansler responded and after extensive probing and some shoveling , Tim found nest 24. We continue to set new records for May, far surpassing the old record of 20 nests set in 2017.
Nests 22 & 23
It was a beautiful morning, with 2 new nests and one false crawl.
Walkers, Joleen Ardaiolo, Beverly Stribling, Joel and Nancy Ponderlik called in with a crawl and body pit near the kayaks. Further down the beach about 150 yards north of the old pier they found another crawl. Mark and Valerie Doane came to investigate. 134 eggs were found in nest 23. the nest was relocated near the old pier. The other crawl was probed and was a false crawl.
Further up the beach Walkers Bob Mason, Veronica L’Allier, Teresa Smith (Veronica’s Sister). Susan Watts (Veronica’s sister in law). and Ginger Seabrook called in with a crawl behind the yellow house. Bill and Linda Nelson responded and found nest 22 with 122 eggs. 121 were relocated a few yards away behind the Nelson’s house at a little higher elevation above the tide
Nests 20 & 21
We now have 21 nests in May. This is a new record for the month. The previous highs were 20 in 2017 and 19 in 2015 when we had 70 and 75 nests. Looks like a busy year!
The first call this morning came in from Amanda Shilko ; she and the other Walkers found one way tracks into the dunes about 50 yards south of the flag at Camp St Christopher. They explored the area and found the lost mama. Terry Fansler, Sandy MacCoss and Jane Magioncalda were called to investigate. The group managed to get the mama safely into the water. There were body pits and tracks in the area; which were probed with no nest found. As the Walkers; the Shilkos, Kathleen Airhart & Brenda Zack, continued they found a crawl about 100 yards north of the old pier. Sandy MacCoss probed and found nest 21. 83 eggs were relocated close by because the nest was in an area below the high tide line. This was Kathleen’s first nest. Congratulations!
Alexa Kinne called in with a crawl about 100 yards north of Boardwalk #6. Bill and Linda Nelson responded and found nest #20 and, with lots of help from Alexa, they relocated the nest back towards Boardwalk 6. 124 eggs were moved and number 125 was held out for the DNA sample. This was Alexa's first solo walk and first nest. Congratulations Alexa!
Stranded Kemp's Ridley Found
Stranding Report from Thursday, May 23rd
On Thursday afternoon a stranded dead Kemp’s Ridley turtle was reported near the Old Pier. Terry Fansler and Jane Magioncalda responded to the report. There were no wounds or injuries visible just a minor number of barnacles. They buried the turtle in the dunes and filed a report to the DNR.
Nests 17,18 & 19
Walkers Nancy Shenton, Tara Penny and Jackie Brooks called in just past 6:30 AM. There was a crawl coming in under the steps to Boardwalk 8; Bill Greubel investigated and declared it a false crawl. But he was not finished yet. Nest 17 was found 100 yards north of the second new house from the Pelican's Nest. The eggs were left in situ. Then Nest 18 was found 100 yards South of Boardwalk 6. The 143 eggs were relocated nearby. Congratulations to Jackie; these are her first nests.
Walkers Sandy MacCoss, Alison Bowers, Martha Goldstein and J-Anna Smith had walked all the way to the spit when they found a crawl. There were 3 body pits and lots of tracks. Valerie and Mark Doane and Sandy probed and Sandy finally found the eggs. Nest 19 was relocated 20 yards south of the first dog sign. There were145 eggs.
Another fun day on the beach!
Nest 18
Nest 19