In South Carolina, the first nest of the season was laid at Botany Bay Island on May 5, followed the next day by nests on Lighthouse Island at Cape Romain and Edisto Island. As of May 20, there were 324 nests in the state. The season is off to a relatively slow start, but organizers remain optimistic for a strong nesting season. All nests are being protected from coyote predation with heavy plastic screening.
The first nest for the Island Turtle Team was laid May 15 on the beach near Sullivan’s Island Elementary School. It was discovered by Terri George and Kelsey Willey, and the eggs did not need to be relocated.
The Isle of Palms recorded its first nest May 18, when Kristen Ness Ayers discovered Nest No. 1 at Ocean Point in Wild Dunes. The 128 eggs were relocated to 28th Avenue. On May 20, another nest was found at the 5A access path on Isle of Palms by Karen Thompson, Kathy Jahn and Penny H. Smith. That nest was not relocated and is expected to hatch in July before beach renourishment begins in that area in September.
By the time this is published on May 29, additional nests are expected to have been added. Residents can track the season online at the website listed below.
This year’s season will be affected by Isle of Palms’ pending beach renourishment projects, which are expected to begin in mid- to late June in sections of Wild Dunes, followed by the stretch from 14th Avenue to Breach Inlet, possibly beginning in September. Nests in anticipated project areas will need to be relocated to ensure survival.
Here are reminders to help keep the beach safe for loggerhead sea turtles this season:
- Lights out at dusk: Any lights visible from the beach should be turned off from dusk to dawn between May 1 and Oct. 31. This is the law on both islands.
- Fill in holes: Holes on the beach can trap hatchlings as well as nesting females.
- Turn off flashlights and avoid flash photography: If you see a nesting turtle, stay at least 50 feet away and do not disturb her.
- Report stranded turtles: Dead or alive, call 843-697-8733, 843-886-6522 or the SCDNR hotline at 1-800-922-5431. If a turtle has orange paint on it, it has already been documented and is awaiting burial.
Follow the season: Visit www.islandturtleteam.org or follow Island Turtle Team IOP & SI South Carolina on Facebook.