Turtle Walk 18

August 30 was our 18th walk of this season and probably the last.  We only have to check on the few remaining nests, which were all washed over in our zone when Tropical Storm Isaac passed by.  But we'll hold onto hope that there could still be a hatch, 

until the nests are past the due dates and are dug.  

What a rough season for the sea turtles!

This walk started out walking up an almost dark path to find a snake laying across it.  I lightened the picture so you could see it.

What's left showing of the stakes around a turtle nest.  A lot of sand washed up in front of Island Beach Club.

Here is where the islands stand with sea turtle activity as of, August 31, 2012, as well as the previous two years for comparison.

As of August 31, 2012:

Sanibel East- 69 nests, 145 false crawls, 4 hatches

Sanibel West- 240 nests, 518 false crawls, 73 hatches

Captiva- 116 nests, 173 false crawls, 22 hatches

As of August 31, 2011:

Sanibel East- 37 nests, 84 false crawls, 25 hatches

Sanibel West- 239 nests, 361 false crawls, 134 hatches

Captiva- 77 nests, 54 false crawls, 54 hatches

As of August 31, 2010:

Sanibel East- 20 nests, 65 false crawls, 5 hatches

Sanibel West- 140 nests, 247 false crawls, 74 hatches

Captiva-64 nests, 117 false crawls, 34 hatches

Overall, we fared pretty well through TS Isaac. We even had a couple nests hatch during and after the storm! Below is a breakdown of the storms impacts.

Sanibel East- 1 nests washed away, 22 nests were washed over, 1 appears untouched by water

Sanibel West- 12 nests washed away, 45 (at least) nests were washed over, 8 nests appear untouched by water

Captiva- 2 nests washed away, 15 nests were washed over, 3 appear untouched by water

Amanda Bryant

Biologist

Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation