Gulf State Park again!
Aug 2nd: From Maureen Ashmore (GSP Team Member)
This morning was another record breaking day for the Gulf State Park team, nest 15 for 2016!!! Carolyn and I started patrolling section B and came across the tracks about mid way between state park rd 2 boardwalk and the Pavilion. An exciting day for me because I finally found a nest!!!
Joe came down, confirmed the nest and that we would need to move quickly because of the weather over the Gulf. Denise, Carolyn and I started digging. I think we have a new turtle whisperer because Denise had the stake pointed to exactly where the eggs were found AND she found them in record time – 90 seconds!!!! Way to go, Denise!
Momma turtle was a good size – the crawl width was 38 inches. Looks like she changed her mind once – started digging then moved a little further up – laid her 104 eggs and crawled 280 feet back to the water.
The nest still needed to be relocated though and that was done in record time too – amazing, how the threat of bad weather can get us moving 🙂 Thanks to all who helped today – Lynn, Pat, Jean, Doug, Bob, Denise, Joe, Carolyn and Maureen.
What a great way to begin a Tuesday and the month of August. There are still 29 days left of patrolling – here’s to breaking another record any day now.
Maureen Ashmore
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