Sea Turtles! Nest Inventory at DeBordieu Beach by SCUTE Volunteers!

The DeBordieu SCUTE volunteers had a busy afternoon inventorying two sea turtle nests. Learn more about SCUTE HERE.

An afternoon thunderstorm postponed activities for an hour, and the storm drifted out to sea. 

o sea. Below is the "official" report from SCUTE's Betsy Brabson...(The Turtle Whisperer). 

August 20, 2015 - 2 nest inventory results!

After a weather delay, we were able to hit the beach and do the first of 2 inventories at 6:45 p.m. We started with natural DEB13 dated 6/27 located 30 yds. north #7mm. Carolyn spoke informally to the small crowd with many children. Suzette, Kathy C. and Judie dug out the nest and sorted/counted. The bucket was called for as 2 live hatchlings were scooped out of a rooty chamber. Frankie and Kathi A. handled crowd control keeping a close watch on the released hatchlings. A little girl desperately wanted one of the turtles to crawl into her hand (photo)! This nest had a great success of about 90%!

Natural DEB12 dated 6/26 located 12 yds. south #5mm was a quick inventory as the no-see-ums emerged. Bill dug while Debby and Carolyn sorted/counted. With one live hatchling released, this nest also did very well with a 92% success!

It is always impressive how dedicated our volunteers are in all sorts of conditions. Thanks to those who came tonight!

A small crowd gathered to see the turtle nest inventory. 

Volunteers dig the nest pulling out the eggs of already hatched turtles. They know from the nest date when the turtles will hatch. Inventorying the nest allows them to help the baby turtles that did not dig their way out. Two turtles were found in the first nest and one in the second. 

The turtles are in a bucket ready to be walked down closer to the water. 

Instructions and some explanations of the volunteer's actions are shouted out to those that came to see the event. 

The turtles are small but have enough energy to make their way to the water. 

This cute girl was ready to help. It made for a great picture, but the volunteers are the only people that handle the turtles. 

The first little wave washed the sand off of the turtle showing is lovely shell. 

And they are off into the big Atlantic Ocean.

Everyone heads down to the next nest to be inventoried this evening.

One turtle heads for the ocean from the second nest.