Gordon’s Surprise for Alabama Point
TS Cindy’s rain, wind and storm surge affected the Alabama nesting beaches, but mama sea turtles will not be deterred. The night of June 20/21st brought activity in spite of the weather:
From Peggy Lively (AP Team Leader):
Hip-hip hooray!
The stormy night brought Mama Turtle to our shores last night. Ellen and Susie braved the wind and rain. As Susie was patrolling high up near the dunes to avoid the high surf, she spotted a very faint crawl. I hurried down the beach and met up with Ellen and Susie. WOW! Thrown sand in the dunes and a crawl. Susie had a great eye to spot this one. Team was texted, but with radar showing a huge cell headed our way, we had to expedite the process. Susie quickly found the eggs, nest was marked and to the jubilation of team and by-standers we all smiled for a pic, despite being wind-blow and WET! I-7 !!!!!!!!
I visually checked all nests. I-5 is about 7 inches under water and I re-erected the outer stakes. All other nests are safe at this time.
There is a tremendous amount of beach erosion. Much of the tern nesting area is inundated. I did observe about 24 skimmers at the Point!
Keep dancing,
Turtle Mom
From Debbie Harbin (FM Team Leader):
We actually had a mama nest during the storm yesterday. [… Clip…] When the call came [… clip…] (we) put in a call to Rick and Barb Nash. They went down and met the visitor and he showed them where she nested. Only dry spot on the beach!
Thanks to them for braving the storm.
[…clip…] (Later) I had a message from Rosalee that she had seen a turtle come on the Beach at Our Road about an hour earlier. She did not nest. Guess she wanted to find a better spot because it floods so bad there.
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