Orange Beach H-1 on Sunday Morning
We had our first false crawl this morning (June 8th) in section D at Phoenix West of all places. Norm started patrol about 5:35 am and did not see this crawl on the first leg. I truly believe she came up after he began because the crawl was so fresh. You could still make out the crawl leading down into the water.
Very fresh crawl at water’s edge
Crowded with obstacles in front of Phoenix West
Suspicious area, but no nest
She had a 36″ crawl width. She came in 35′ and decided this was not the best place for a nest!! We looked for a nest in one slightly suspicious area but no eggs. Maybe tonight will be the night!!
FYI- got a call last night on hotline reporting dead turtle at Hampton Inn. Found a BIG male loggerhead (maybe 300+ pounds) that was recently hit by boat prop. He was dead by time I got there. So very sad. He was the biggest I have seen on land.
Lots of activity at Ft. Morgan while I was out of town and last night. I have lost count, maybe 11 or 12 nests for them {Ed note: 12 and 13 as of June 8th}!! Go Ft. Morgan!!
Have a great day!
Lisa Graham
Orange Beach Team Leader
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Pardon my ignorance, but what is a false crawl?
Also, I spoke with Gentleman on Sunday with Share The Beach. I explained that for the past two years, based on the best information we had available (word of mouth), that my daughter and I had been near Orange Beach and had a nest right outside of the Condo we were staying in. We were told that it was one of a few Kemp’s Ridley Sea Turtles that nest on the Alabama Coast. Last year, I believe we missed the hatching by a matter of days.
I will not disclose the name of the Condo based on the conversation I had with the Gentleman on Sunday. I was wondering if I might be able to find out any information as to any nesting sights around the Orange Beach area, particularly a nesting sight for a Kemp’s Ridley. My daughter and I would very much like to witness this sight with our own eyes as we believe that it may be a truly ‘Once In A Lifetime Experience’.
Even a general direction on a potential hatching from the Condo we have been staying would be awesome. We are looking at the 3rd or 4th week of July and I would like to book tickets soon. I am sure that Share The Beach members know exactly where I am talking about if the information we have received for the last two years is anywhere near accurate.
Thanks everyone. I would not mind sponsoring the nest sight if that is an option as well.
Mr Spangler,
A “false crawl” results when a female sea turtle crawls up onto shore with the intention of nesting and for some reason does not do so. In this case it may have been obstructions on the beach or possibly some interference by people disturbing her (no way to tell). In any case, this momma turtle decided not to nest.
The hatching season usually starts in Mid-July. So far there are no Kemps Ridley nests and Orange Beach only has one nest (see our “Nesting Season Statistics” page). Nests usually hatch from 55 to 75 days after the mother deposits the eggs. The only nest in Orange Beach so far is about a mile east of last year’s Kemps nest.
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