It is an early evening in August –
the middle of the month –
Sherry and I are dressed in our orange shirts –
shorts and carrying our flashlight-
that beams red in the darkness!
We are carrying our chairs –
as we leave the boardwalk and step onto the sand.
Beyond the “TRENCH” for the little turtles-
who hatch to make their way to the ocean –
lies a deserted evening beach.
We are almost near the end of the “SEASON” for beach vacations!
we meet at the nest – NUMBER 21 –
there have been 36 nests on the beach.
The sun is setting –
casting an orange glow over the vacationers who have gathered –
News has gone up and down the beach –
THE TURTLE NESTERS are waiting for the hatchlings to appear.
The ten team members have been all given their assignments –
when the hatchlings begin the escape from the chamber-
that contains them!
We know that this one contains 142 eggs –
Because it was relocated from below the tidal line –
to closer to the dune –
to keep it from being flooded out!
This would cause the baby Sea Turtles to drown!
Then – a small crack in the center of the chamber –
about an inch long.
While we are talking – the “DROP” happens!
The previous night – a full moon –
but this night the clouds set in – darkness prevailed!
We all assumed our positions –
The edging was set up going to the water line –
it was not yet high tide but was rising minute by minute.
A large crowd has gathered –
standing beyond the rope –
a barrier we erected to keep the eager crowd back –
so we had room to crawl-
on hands and knees along the trench.
We had to keep the baby turtles on their journey to the water –
in that trench.
Mainly to ensure they reached the water.
You see –
they go towards the white of the waves crashing on the shore –
and the sound of those waves.
When the moon is out they head toward the water.
On dark nights –
the lights from the beach houses draw them toward the dunes.
They will perish if they do that.
Foxes – birds – stray cats – birds and crabs –
they are a feast for all of them.
Thirty-five minutes later –
the last has reached my position at the end of the trench –
I guide “HER” –
I have named her PEGGY –
In my mind only –
after a dear friend who donated to the Sea Turtle Protection last year.
Now we have to sit in the nest for three days –
we had what is called a “BOIL”!
That is when all of them seem to come at once.
If this happens –
the Wildlife Resources Commission of N.C. –
Requires us to sit for three days in case any are left!
So – we thanked the crowd –
who mostly reframed from using lights –
phones and cameras.
These would blind the little turtles –
and then they are lost.
After the three days were up –
we did what is called an inventory required by the Commission.
Here you dig down and recover the egg shells –
and any small turtles that did not make it!
This gives the Commission the data they need –
and also tells us if our count was correct!
Which in the darkness –
is hard to see.
After –
you tear down the nest –
fill in the chamber –
and dig another hole to bury the eggshells in.
The foxes know where the old chamber is-
but we try to keep them from digging up the shells-
that were left.
NEST NUMBER 21 is officially closed –
we were right on the count made by the relocation team!
A big shout out to –
NEST NUMBER TWENTY ONE’s TEAM OF DEDICATED MEMBERS!
All of us moved on to other nests –
and new team members.
A big thank you to LIZ in the middle of the trench as team leader-
even though she was pregnant – CHEERS!
As the moon comes up over the ocean –
another night has ended for our volunteer work-
Sitting on the beach at night from 7 to 11 pm.
Thanks for reading PAPA’S WORLD –
my site: livinglifedoingitmyway.blog
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