HATCHED - WELCOME TURTLE BABIES!

The one and only nest on our beach so far this year hatched last night. There's 97 new hatchlings in the world today that weren't here this time yesterday.

Mr. Happy Vegan was on patrol this morning, and noted what appeared to be 2 dig holes at the site of the nest.  This is a sign of predation.  He thoroughly searched the area for remains of hatchlings, and any other evidence of predation.  There was none.

He made calls to all the surveyors, and decided to excavate the nest this evening due to the risk of predation.  Upon arrival while waiting for other surveyors, I began a beach clean.  This is the frustrating part of our turtle walks.  We usually feel more like glorified (barely) trash cleaners than turtle nest surveyors, especially on a year like this when there's been so little nesting activity on our assigned beach.  But, its necessary if you want to be a good steward for the planet.

In 20 minutes I collected roughly 80 pounds of trash, most of it fishing debris like rope from lobster traps/buoys, bait boxes, tarps, and light sticks.  Just add this as another reason to go vegan if you ask me.

When the other surveyors arrived, Mr. Happy Vegan began the excavation.  First, he measured the depth of the holes which were dug from most likely raccoons.  Then he had to decide where to begin to dig, its not an exact science locating the nest... I think it comes with experience being able to target the site. He's very good at that, and was spot on once again.  He began ever so gently sweeping away small handfuls of sand.  You must be patient doing this work, you cannot just dig in deep or rough. There are so many times exhausted hatchlings are stuck inside, and they need gentle care.

Within a few minutes, Mr.Happy Vegan discovered a hatching who was trapped under a plastic lid that was buried under the sand.  Another example of why its so important to collect trash when we see it.  The hatching was very weak, and his teeny shell was slightly concave due to pressing against the lid, trying to get to the surface. While the excavation continued, I took the bucket we had on site in case of a discovery just like this, and we collected a bit of sand from around the nest site, put just a splash of sea water on top, and gently lowered the hatchling inside. The bucket was covered with a towel and the excavation continued.

By the end of the event, 3 more exhausted hatchlings were rescued. 93 turtles had hatched and were gone. We hope that all 93 made it to sea, there really is no way of knowing if any were taken by the suspected predators.

Out of this nest, a total of live 97 loggerhead hatchlings emerged.  4 were transported to the Turtle Hospital for evaluation. We are hopeful they will survive and be released quickly.

The turtle hatchlings are the reward for all the other work done.

Trash is collected, sorted, recycled or disposed of more responsibly. Training is taken, and a commitment of time is made by any volunteers. Paperwork is required, and reports must be filled out. Sometimes the turtle walks are done in the rain, sometimes its blistering heat & humidity even in early morning; other times its a battle against gnats & mosquitoes.  Of course, the walks are always done early, sometimes as the sun is just rising. While others are sleeping or waking to the taste of a first cup of coffee, turtle walkers are out in force all over the world, including the Florida Keys, every day during nesting season.  All so that we can have some small part in helping these threatened and endangered species survive.

Hope is not lost, it can never be.

There are 97 more loggerheads in the world tonight that weren't here last night.  Let's take this small victory, its the only one we've got so far this year.

Tomorrow more turtle walks will occur. More trash collected. More rope, monofiliment line, and other extreme hazards will be collected. That will be more likely the order of the day instead of another nest, but we still have hope. If we didn't, we wouldn't be out there searching for nests.  Its not easy, but tonight the rewards spilled forth in a priceless way.  Priceless indeed.

Welcome to the world little loggerheads.  Swim free, swim deep and swim fast. But, no matter how you swim, just keep as far away from humans as possible.