Jul 29
It’s once again time for Nest Walks here at the Georgia Sea Turtle Center. These educational walks are a great way to learn about the nesting process as well as enjoy a beautiful morning on Jekyll Island’s beaches!
**Reservations are required. Please call 912-635-4444 to reserve your spot!
What is a nest walk?
A nest walk begins with a 30 minute beach ecology walk. Towards the end of the walk you will meet a patrol member at a nest that has already hatched. There you will become sea turtle scientist for the day as you watch the excavation and fill out your own data sheet right along with our staff! During this excavation the staff member will dig in the sand to find out how many eggs hatched, how many did not, and many other cool facts!
**The goal of a nest walk is not to see hatchlings. Often, no live hatchlings are found during these excavations
When are nest walks?
While we try to have them every sunday, wednesday, and saturday during August and September, we cannot guarantee this will be the case. For there to be a nest walk, we must have a nest to excavate. This is all dependent on when the nests start to hatch. They will usually start at 7:00 a.m. depending on the tides. Location will also vary. You will be called two days before your walk to confirm the time and location.
How much does it cost?
Nest walks are $12 for non-members and $6 for members. This does not include admission to the Center.
For more information on nest walks including our cancellation policy, please go to http://www.georgiaseaturtlecenter.org/education-programs/summer-programs/nest-walks/
Hope to see you on the beach!!
Jul 20
Thursday July 15, 2010
The day began with news that the first hatchlings of the Jekyll Island Sea Turtle Center project had emerged. It was going to be a great day!
After breakfast we headed to the GSTC to begin the day’s events. Once we reached the center, discussions began and decisions were made as to which presentation each of us would choose to relay the new found knowledge we had acquired. There was a narrated feeding of Gabi, Amazing Adaptations interactive demonstration and the patient update. Each presentation was delivered with enthusiasm and received with amazement by the GSTC visitors!
The moment that we thought the day could not get any better, Alicia pulled one more surprised out of her bag. We were given the amazing opportunity to name the newest patient to the hospital, an adult female loggerhead sea turtle. Shouts of joy and high fives circulated the group. What an honor. The race was on to carefully choose the name.
As the day progressed the realization the that our grand adventure was coming to an end. The farewell luncheon with Alicia was filled with conversation of the week’s events. The final decision to name the new turtle Freedom, to represent the GSU teacher’s workshop, was made.
As we left Sea Jay’s, Alicia presented the class with a GSTC certificate and the “official” bracelet of turtle champions!
Next we were off to the dolphin tour. It was a typical summer afternoon. Sun, bugs and a gentle breeze accompanied us as we watched for dolphins. It did not take long for the show to begin as if they were actors cued to enter the stage. Squeals of joy came from the passengers as they watched the dolphins and their young playing at the waters surface. The tour provided interesting facts and additional wildlife such as the blue heron.
Upon returning to the dock the we knew that we must return to the hotel to endure the “dreaded post test.” I think it is good when the teacher once again becomes the student. Anxiety mounted for some as the test was being passed out. To our amazement the knowledge trapped by the weeks events trickled to the pen like water returning to the ocean. Sometimes with ease and other time having to maneuver the obstacle of indecision. All in all I think the final result was success!
The day ended with dinner by the river and a long night walk on the beach. Tomorrow, each participate will return to his or her corner of the world filled with stories and eager to share the priceless moments spent at Jekyll Island.
So, my final words are for each of you to “Keep walking.” The choices we make will fill the pages of each of our life books. I am so glad this chapter was spent with such an inspiring group of passionate people.
~ Cindy Dean
Jul 16
The oil spill in the Gulf has been on the minds of many lately. There is of course great concern for how the oil may affect all kinds of wildlife including sea turtles. Below is a link to an article and video from the New York Times. The website takes a look at many factors that could be increasing sea turtle strandings in the gulf, some of which may come as a surprise.
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/07/15/science/earth/15necropsy.html?pagewanted=2&_r=1&partner=rss&emc=rss&src=ig
We at the GSTC have not yet been called upon to assist with sea turtles in the Gulf, but are ready if the need does arise.
Jul 15
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
“The Return to the Sea”
After a very busy and rewarding week, we were given the opportunity to participate in the release of 8 sea turtles, 4 from the Georgia Aquarium and 4 from the Sea Turtle Center. We spent all morning helping the staff at the center to get ready for the release. We even delivered a patient update on 15 turtles for the public! The time came to finally pack up and head to the beach. Once we arrived at the beach, we were to go around and talk with the large crowd about the turtles and answer their questions. We were given signed farewell posters to display the four turtles from the GSTC. After having many pictures taken of our posters by newspapers and television news stations, it was time for the great send-off.
The first GSTC turtle to make their way to the sea was Carning. Carning is a sub-adult loggerhead sea turtle. He was brought to the GSTC because he had air trapped in his body cavity, he was dehydrated, and he had epibiota (barnacles and algae) on his carapace. After approximately 3 months of treatment, he has fully recovered.
The second GSTC turtle to make their way to the sea was Caretta Hope. Caretta Hope is a sub-adult loggerhead sea turtle. She was brought to the GSTC because she was found with debilitated turtle syndrome, and she was missing her rear two flippers. Debilitated Turtle Syndrome happens when the turtle has a large amount of epibiota on the carapace and/or skin. The flippers were thought to have been bitten off by a shark. During her year in the hospital, Caretta Hope has recovered and is adjusting to her life without rear flippers quite well.
The next GSTC turtle to make their way to the sea was Rostrum. Rostrum is a sub-adult loggerhead sea turtle. He was brought to the GSTC because he was cold stunned and suffered from a nose injury. After approximately 5 months in the hospital, Rostrum was treated for his injuries and has now returned home.
The last GSTC turtle to make their way to the sea was Ed. Ed is a juvenile green sea turtle. Ed was brought to the GSTC because he was found floating, by the GA Department of Natural Resources. Initial examination of Ed showed that he suffered from swollen eyes and neck, and he had a hematoma on his lung. After 10 months in the hospital, Ed has fully recovered and was the first green sea turtle to ever be released from the GSTC.
As if the release of these turtles wasn’t exciting enough, nest #3 had a surprise waiting. During the Turtle Patrol and Turtle Walk, it was discovered that nest #3 had hatched, which would be the first hatchlings of the season!
- Ashley Crosby and Carol Kahrmann
Jul 15
“Record Setting Turtle Walk”
Our first full day working at the Georgia Sea Turtle Center was set up for part of the group to be in Husbandry (helping feed and clean tanks) and the other part to be in Education (answering questions and providing educational presentations to the visitors). The husbandry group was busy preparing food, feeding the turtles, giving vitamins, cleaning tanks, assisting with patient rehabilitation and doing whatever the staff asked of them. Part of the education group was in the gallery, preparing a presentation that would be delivered at the turtle walk that night. The other part of the education group was walking around the gallery, answering questions and highlighting the displays.
After lunch, we met with Dr. Norton (Director of the Sea Turtle Center). He delivered a presentation on sea turtle rehabilitation. Dr. Norton is the man who turned a dream of a Sea Turtle Rehab Facility into reality. He described the different reasons turtles end up in the hospital, as well as their treatment and therapy options.
After a history tour of the island, it was time to show off what we have learned about sea turtles to the public. We met at the Sea Turtle Center and delivered a presentation to a record pushing group. The presenters tried their very best to instill “turtlely thoughts” within the group. Various age groups actively participated throughout the entire presentation. As the presenters were covering natural threats of sea turtles, a raccoon appeared at the rear glass door. How ironic??
It was finally time to head to the beach and search for emerging sea turtles or their tracks on the Turtle Walk. As the group was herded onto the beach and a ghost crab was sighted immediately, the phrase “TP1 to TP2, we have an emergence” came across the radio. As the presenters danced in celebration, the group awaited the location of the emergence. We went north to find the nesting sea turtle. We kept the group away from her while she built her body pit and egg chamber. Once she started to lay eggs, small groups of 3 or 4 were taken near her to see the process. Once she was done laying her eggs, she covered the egg chamber using her back flippers, disguised the nest, and made her way back into the ocean.
Thank you “July 12, 2010 turtle” for helping to add another record for “quickest emergence on a turtle walk” to our record breaking week.
- Ashley Crosby and Carol Kahrmann
