Yesterday's Turtle patrol
I occasionally volunteer for the Amos Recovery Keep (ARK), named after its founder, Tony Amos, a British marine scientist who did research on our Island. It’s volunteers rehabilitate injured shore birds and turtles. After his death, some of his ashes were attached to a released Ridley. A fitting tribute to his tireless research.
I assist in a patrol of the adjacent 20 mile long barrier island which has limited access. We launch an ATV from a landing craft on the bay side of the Island, drive across it to the beach and drive its length northward.
We were looking for nesting sea turtles to collect the eggs before predators get them and transport them to the National Seashore where they are incubated and the hatchlings released into the Gulf of Mexico. They have a 97% success ratio.
Nests first showed up on Mexico beaches, but today one was discovered on North Padre Island and another on Mustang Island.
With strong onshore winds, heavy surf, and high tide, it was ideal conditions for the females. The high tide shortens the distance to the dunes, where they lay their eggs and the wind blows the sand to cover up their tracks.
We didn’t see any tracks or find any turtles today.
Our other duties require counting specific species of shore birds. Today we counted Plovers…
Piping Plover
Wilson’s Plover
Snowy Plover
And yes, they look a lot alike to me as an intermediate birder. Those stock photos look a lot sharper than the view thru my binoculars.
In addition we are prepared to rescue any injured turtles or collect samples and measurements of any dead turtles or dolphins . None today.
It was still a good beach day, though with the high tide, it was bumpy driving on the natural, unspoiled beach, seeing no other human after the first half mile.
= new reply since forum marked as read
Having lived landlocked my whole life, I've never had the opportunity to do turtle patrol, but hold those who do in the highest regard!
I recently read a series about a multi-generationall family of women who do turtle patrol in SC. A lovely read about activities I've never known about. If anyone is interested, the author is Mqry Alice Monroe. The series is a great vicarious vaca!
Ty so much for sharing! 