Wednesday, July 9th - Diamondback Terrapin Nest - Emerged?

 The morning started out with some beautiful cloud formations - sign of coming rain?

 

 

 

 

 

We have been watching the Diamondback Terrapin (DBT) Nest located close to Hog Inlet.  When we checked the area this morning, we found a Ghost Crab hole right where the nest chamber is located!  This nest was laid on June 9th, and when we uncovered the nest area, there were two small oblong, pinkish eggs and the nest chamber was quickly covered up.

Ghost Crab hole at the nest

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sandy and I looked left of the SCDNR sign and another Ghost Crab hole and a eggshell, oh no.

Eggshell - emerged eggshell?

 

 

 

 

This is our first DBT nest, so we do not know if this shell was pulled out of the nest after the little one hatched and emerged from the nest or did the Ghost Crab capture the egg before these events.  I picked up the eggshells and thinking about our sea turtle processing placed the eggshells in one of our DNA vials.

 

As we looked around the area we found tracks, tiny little tracks.  So we are hoping one or more of the little ones got away.  Unfortunately, the tracks ended up in the weeds and undergrowth along the dune, so we are hoping for the best for the little one(s).  

 Currently, we are awaiting further instructions from SCDNR on what the process is about performing a nest inventory.

 Text and pictures by Leslie
All sea turtle monitoring by Waties Island Sea Turtle Patrol is permitted and authorized by SCDNR MARINE Turtle Conservation Program under Permit MTP 500.