Season changing

posted: July 31, 2023, 2:12 PM

As we enter into August, our work on the beach transitions from mother turtles digging and laying nests to hatchlings emerging from these nests. Typically, the eggs incubate in their sandy nests for 50-60 days before hatching. Our members on the beach in the evenings as the “due dates” for the nests approach.

This past week we saw fewer mother turtles in the mornings ---only 2 new nests---bringing the total for the season to 66 (one more than the total for last year). The nesting season isn’t quite over YET--so we may see a few more mothers.

So far, 5 of the 66 nests have hatched with 533 hatchlings into the water. Hatching will continue into September. If you see Turtle Patrol members on the beach, be sure to ask about the turtles that nest on our beach. This is the final week for Children’s Turtle Talk (for kids 3-6) Wednesdays at 4:00 p.m. Turtle Talk for all ages will continue Wednesday evenings at 7 p.m. at the Holden Beach Chapel.

Do you know that we have a Facebook page? Look for us at Holden Beach Turtle Watch program.

**The conservation work by the HBTWP for protected sea turtles on Holden Beach is authorized by the NC Wildlife Resources Commission (ES Permit 22ST11)**

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