Orange Beach H-1 on Sunday Morning
Doing a bit of “catch-up” from yours truly. It looks like Orange Beach and Alabama Point have been busy:
First off from Lisa Graham on July 14th:
Well we made up for no activity with 7 false crawls this morning!!! Greg had 2 false crawls in B, Sheree and Boyd had 3 FC in D, Lance had 1 in E and the last which we thought was a nest was another FC in C. Thanks to everyone that came out to help as we really thought we had a nest.
As we were looking for eggs we heard she was harassed by a man and his son which explained why the crawl and nest area was disturbed. We think the 7 crawls were made by 3 turtles. 41″, 36″ and 30″. Al Pt and GSP had false crawls as well. Maybe a momma turtle will be back tonight!!!
Next up is from Peggy Lively on Alabama Point – July 16th:
Hip-Hip-Hooray,
Rick and Jackie braved the weather and patrolled today. Just as I was enjoying a cup of coffee after early nest check, Rick called. I could see him on the beach. YEP!!!!!! He had a nest! Mama was 36′ (same as the last visitor that I could not find eggs). Mama did a very classic crawl and Susie found the eggs quickly. Obviously, the NO VACANCY sign was not adhered to. Thanks to Susie, Richard, Jackie, Rick and Herman for all the help. I think we set a speed record on I-14. Start to finish in under 20 minutes! All the practice is paying off. We have a very next couple months ahead.
See you on the beach,
Happy Turtle Mom
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And Alabama Point keeps racking up the nests: July 18th
Greetings from the Point,
Mary and “Newbie” Dave had patrol today. I had checked the tarped nests before daylight and returned home. Dave called and reported a possible nest!!!!!!! The team was alerted and I hurried to the location in the Turtle Taxi. WOW! A visitor had staked the nest area with twigs from the shoreline. Mama laid too close to the high water mark. Footprints were all over. A few canine prints also. Could Mama have been frightened????? The team dug and Susie quickly found the eggs. We deemed the clutch met criteria to be moved and we relocated the nest, 117 eggs, due North. Mama was 36″. We have 8 nests made by 36″ Mama’s this year!!!!!!!!! Could all the hard work and sleepless night years ago be paying off???? Thanks, team for another job well done. You are awesome!!!!!!
HAPPY TURTLE MOM
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Not to be left in the dust by Peggy’s team, Li sa Graham and the Orgage Beach team got 2 in one day: July 19th…
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Whooohooo! Finally after a month we got 2 nests last night!!
H6 was laid abt 9:00 pm as the Hotline was called and OBPD notified. Officers Shannon Holland, Nathan Cane and Brennan Giles were there when I arrived . Momma T. Was covering her nest and since there was a lot of activity in the area we marked the area til we could process this morning. She was a big Momma with crawl width of 44″ but not tagged. 105 eggs were relocated this morning. Newbies, Vicki and Brent, Mallorie and Mary Y. did an awesome job moving the eggs!! Thanks to all that came out this morning!!!
H6 was laid abt 9:00 pm as the Hotline was called and OBPD notified. Officers Shannon Holland, Nathan Cane and Brennan Giles were there when I arrived . Momma T. Was covering her nest and since there was a lot of activity in the area we marked the area til we could process this morning. She was a big Momma with crawl width of 44″ but not tagged. 105 eggs were relocated this morning. Newbies, Vicki and Brent, Mallorie and Mary Y. did an awesome job moving the eggs!! Thanks to all that came out this morning!!!
While Officer Holland was helping me mark the nest a call was made to OBPD about a turtle at […Clip…]. We rushed to the scene and thank goodness another officer was there protecting Momma T. from at least 50 spectators. She came in about 6′ turned around because of the disturbance of people and nested at the shoreline!!! She was covering her nest as I arrived. The nest was moved immediately last night as it was dangerously close to shoreline. The crowd got to watch us locate the 74 eggs for relocation. Our Coastal Resources Night Crew helped us finish up the move. Crawl width 36″ and she was tagged. Thanks to Janet, Tiffnie, Cathy and Jerrie for helping finish up at H7 this morning!!
Lisa Graham
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Then on July 22nd Alabama Point responded with 2 more, I-16 & I-17:
WOW! Another day of adventure on the Point!!!!!
Homer called this morning around 5:40….he had a nest at waters edge. The team was alerted and we gathered awaiting Rosie to finish her walk. At 6:20 Rosie called, she had a nest!!!!!!! OH, my!!!!!!!! Water was rushing in and we had to find the eggs quickly. Susie and Karen did a stupendous job with water to their elbows.
The nest was moved and the team headed to the second nest site. This Mama was smart and laid very high near the dunes. The eggs were quickly found, nest marked and a tired, hot but happy crew headed home. After hydration and a little rest we will be ready for the next adventure in Paradise!!!!!
See you on the beach,
Turtle Mom
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Latest from today July 14th – again from Alabama Point:
Good morning,
I was drying out after early nest check and getting caught in the rain when Karen called—–she had a long crawl!
Team was alerted and we gathered at the crawl sight. We dug and dug as the rain got heavier and heavier. The lightening was getting too close for comfort and after digging a huge area we called the dig off. We gave the site our best effort, but Mama evidently did not lay. There was thrown sand but not a body pit. We may attempt to further investigate the site later today, weather permitting.
A very SPECIAL thanks to Karen, Susie, Pat, Rick, Richard and George for hanging in there with me this morning. You are the best!!!!!! Good job, Karen on finding the crawl in the bad weather.
Turtle Mom
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