It's the second half of the sea turtle nesting season on Amelia Island (which begins May 1st and ends October 31st each year). The number of sea turtle nests marked on Amelia Island through mid-August during the 2009 season is 88 nests. An upcoming event helps to support local sea turtles, the Amelia Island Turtle Trot 5K/10K race to be held on Amelia Island Saturday, September 5, 2009 (read more about the Turtle Trot at end of this article...)
Diligently patrolling the beachfront at dawn to spot new nests is the Amelia Island Sea Turtle Watch, a volunteer group dedicated to sea turtle conservation efforts. Their recorded data indicates that 9 nests were located in May, 47 nests in June, 25 nests in July, and 7 nests through mid-August on Amelia Island, Florida.
The turtle eggs laid by female adult sea turtles in mid-June are hatching now in mid-August. (Pictured are two baby sea turtles freed from a nest excavated on Amelia Island last week. Photo by K.J. Lawson.)
Then, around two months later, Sea Turtle Watch volunteers excavate the nest to make sure no turtle hatchling are left behind, unable to get out. They also count the shards (empty eggshells of hatched eggs), partially hatched eggs, and those eggs that remain unhatched and look somewhat like ping pong balls. Data is collected for each nest, and similar turtle watch groups do the same monitoring in beach towns along the southeastern coast of the U.S. There are lots of people dedicated to helping sea turtles survive.
Sea turtle eggs hatch around two months after they are buried on Florida beaches. The female sea turtle typically comes ashore during the night and makes her way toward the dunes, trying to pass the high tide line. However, sometimes they dig their nests only about midway on the beach, so some nests erode away with the tides or storms. It is easy to identify sea turtle nests on the beach . They are clearly marked by the Sea Turtle Watch volunteers with yellow tape, posts and a sign warning folks not to disturb the nest.
Tourist Tip: Experience a Sea Turtle Nest Excavation on Amelia Island
A special treat is to witness a sea turtle nest excavation. It's a unique and satisfying experience for the young and old alike. If you have children or grandchildren, they will both learn and love it. Especially if some live hatchlings are uncovered in the nest. Much to the glee of onlookers who gather to see this miracle of nature, sometimes live baby turtles are unearthed in the nests, to joyous outbursts from the crowd. Baby sea turtles are buried treasure, indeed.
So, if you happen to be visiting Amelia Island in August and September (when the largest number of nests are typically excavated), be sure to make inquiries about possible sea turtle nest excavations. They are typically done in the evening, around 6:30 or 7 pm. If you're a local resident, don't let another sea turtle season go by without sharing in this wonderful experience. Also read my blog about sea turtle nests and turtle tracks... Check the Sea Turtle Watch website for complete nest data and upcoming excavation schedule.
Three types of sea turtles nest on Amelia Island beaches, loggerhead (the most predominant), green, and leatherbacks. Reportedly, genetic research indicates that the sea turtles nesting on Amelia Island are related to turtles in Georgia, South Carolina, and North Carolina (and are a separate family from other Florida sea turtles).
The female sea turtle digs an egg cavity about a foot or two deep in the sand, and deposits her eggs, often around 100 or so. Once hatched, the tiny turtle hatchlings emerge from the nest, literally digging themselves out with tiny flippers. While a mature sea turtle may weight 175 to 350 pounds, the delicate hatchlings only tip the scale at about one ounce or so. These baby turtles attempt to make their way back into the ocean, generally at night, guided by moonlight. Local ordinances require dim lighting along the Amelia Island beachfront during turtle nesting season on this barrier island in northeast Florida. Lights along the beachfront can disorient turtles to head in the wrong direction toward beach homes and businesses, rather than toward the ocean.
The odds of sea turtle survival is daunting. Only about one in a thousand sea turtle hatchlings will survive into maturity. Recent reports indicate that loggerhead sea turtles are at risk of becoming extinct, and should change status from "threatened" to an "endangered" species.
There are hazards for the sea turtles both onshore and in the seas. The loss of habitat to development threaten the sea turtle nesting grounds and hatchlings, as well as artificial light on the beach from the beach homes and oceanfront resorts. When eggs hatch, the little turtle hatchlings move toward light. In perfect circumstances, it normally would be the natural moonlight. However, artificial lighting along the beach in contemporary times, confuses the hatchlings. Rather than heading toward the ocean, they often head in the opposite direction inland into the dunes where they cannot survive.
Storms that cause beach erosion can wash away turtle nests. The presence of man on the beaches, activity, noise, flashlights, campfires, beach driving at night during turtle season, can all negatively impact the female sea turtles as well. A “false crawl” can result when a female turtle halts an attempt to nest. For example, data indicates that there have been 30 false crawls on Amelia Island this season in 2009 through mid-August.
Plus, natural predators like raccoons, ants, crabs, herons, armadillos and even dogs on the beach kill hatchlings. For the hatchlings that make it to sea, they are prey for fish and birds.
Thus, only about one of every 1,000 sea turtle hatchlings will survive into adulthood according to scientific estimates. After about 20 years or so (and a journey often thousands of ocean miles away), the female turtle reaches maturity for breeding. Instinctively, the female sea turtle manages to return to the very beach of its birth more than two decades earlier, to dig a nest and “plant” its eggs.
Sea turtles are ancient reptiles, dating back to the days when dinosaurs roamed Earth. They are “living fossils,” having survived millions of years, but now in the twenty-first century, considered a threatened species. Kudos to sea turtle volunteers for their efforts to help protect and sustain the species.
Sea turtles can proudly take their place as one of Mother Nature's most worthy and remarkable seafarers, burying treasure on beaches millions of years before pirates.
AMELIA ISLAND TURTLE TROT RUN
Saturday, September 5, 2009 is the annual Amelia Island Turtle Trot Race, an event by the Amelia Island Runners organization. The run is a 5K/10K and a 1.5 mile walk starting at 7:30 am at Atlantic Rec Center in Fernandina Beach, followed by a "Kid's Fun Run" at 9 am. Proceeds benefit the Amelia Island Sea Turtle Watch, turtle patrols in Fort Clinch, as well as Amelia Island Running club's youth running programs. The Turtle Trot entry fee through August 28 is $20 per person ($15 for running club members). After August 28th through the day of the race, $25 entry fee. Runners will receive (while supplies last) a Turtle Trot T-shirt with original artwork by Fernandina Beach artist and turtle volunteer, Sandra Baker-Hinton (her artwork is pictured, and the original painting is for sale at a local art gallery). Detailed info about the Turtle Trot, including the running routes, online entry forms and more is available at www.AmeliaIslandRunners.com
Want to learn more about sea turtles? See news reported September 3, 2009 indicating sea turtles are endangered, at risk from fishing....
Also read a previous in-depth article about Amelia Island's sea turtles...
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