Navarre Beach Sea Turtle Conservation Center

September Newsletter
Guardian Angels
As dawn breaks across the sand, the sun begins painting Navarre Beach with warm pastels of a new day and in these wee hours the Navarre Beach Sea Turtle Patrol (NBSTP) quietly sets out. Morning patrols begin at the start of nesting season, May1st. These daily morning patrols are conducted to look for sea turtle crawls. Sea turtle crawls or tracks are patterns left in the sand by female sea turtles as they make their way from the Gulf of Mexico up the sand to find the perfect spot to nest. Each turtle crawl or turtle tracks are unique, like fingerprints, and helps identify the species of sea turtle. Once a nest is located, information such as the species, date and location are carefully documented; the nest is marked and then checked each morning while on patrol. Nesting season in Navarre Beach runs through October 31st, coinciding with hurricane season. During these months the NBSTP volunteers spend countless hours on the beach tending to the sea turtle nests. In addition to daily morning patrols, once a nest reaches day 50 (incubation is typically 60-70 days) observation periods are increased and volunteers begin to nest sit. Nest sitting is done in shifts from sunset to sunrise. While nest sitting, volunteers are trained to watch for signs of emergence. You will often see them lying on the ground, ear in the sand, concentrating to hear the slightest of sound below. Depending on the type of noise and its proximity to the surface volunteers attempt to gauge the stage of the nest. They study the sand over the nest for the minutest changes in formation and take special note of any animal tracks which may mean predators are nearby. Like a watched pot that never boils, baby turtles emerge on their own time table and there is a lot of quietly sitting, waiting, some star gazing and more waiting. Once the hatchlings begin to emerge the perils of their journey start to unfold: danger lies in artificial lighting which leads to disorientation. Disorientation can cause hatchlings to crawl in the wrong direction, exhausted and exposed to the elements; disorientation is deadly. At 1.5 to 2 inches in size, hatchlings are snack size for many predators; ghost crabs will bury into a nest cavity to eat the eggs and often lie in wait as hatchlings emerge from the nest. An adult ghost crab is more than capable of making a meal of a hatchling. However, what a comforting feeling it is to know, that these sea turtles have guardian angels in the wings, watching over them and guiding them safely to the surf. The volunteers of the NBSTP, many who fit their volunteer duties around full time jobs as well as family commitments, all have one thing in common: an absolute love for nature and our coastal habitats. Collectively, the team has over 40 years of experience with sea turtle nests on Navarre Beach. Their experience and devotion is immediately evident if youve ever had the pleasure of meeting one of them. I have personally witnessed their devotion, patience and joy for teaching as beach goers are often attracted and curious of their work. I remember one evening close to sunset, I had the privilege of meeting several volunteers and nest sitting with them. As we sat I was educated on the history of Navarre Beach, sea turtles, nesting conditions and indicators to look for that might signal sea turtle hatchlings are close. It was in this moment I saw how nurturing and passionate they are for sea turtles and for our coastal environment. During this time a few small children started to gather and they were welcomed into the fold. The kids sat patiently listening, learning and asking questions. It occurred to me as I looked at the humble group of ladies that they are unaware of their significance.

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September Newsletter
Guardian Angels, continued
Throughout the passing weeks I watched them inspire children, beach goers, and vacationers alike. These volunteers play an integral part in the sea turtle survival endeavor. As a result of their efforts, nests and hatchlings are safe and vital research data is collected. But what I came away with was the smiles and enthusiasm on the childrens and visitors faces, you never know, one of those children may pick up the torch and become a Marine Biologist or Conservationist. I know one thing for sure, they all left with a greater love and admiration for the beach many of us are fortunate to call home. To the men and women of the Navarre Beach Sea Turtle Patrol, and our neighboring patrols to the east and west of us, the Jackson Guard out of Eglin and the Gulf Islands National Seashore, the guardian angels of our sea turtles, thank you for all the days and nights you spent trekking across the beaches, sand covered, bug bitten and drenched by rain and humidity.

Nesting Update As we have discussed in previous communications, this nesting season has been significantly impacted by the amount of rain Navarre Beach received during the 2013 nesting season. As a result of this soggy weather we have witnessed some really unusual or atypical behaviors. According to reports from Eglin and the National Seashore, they are seeing a lot of the same odd behaviors. Out of the 12 nests that were laid on Navarre Beach this year, there are two remaining. While nesting season runs through the end of October, Navarre Beach usually sees its last nest laid in August. While anything is possible, it is highly unlikely that anymore nests will be laid this year. As some of you may recall, this nesting season started on a sad and sour note when we lost the first nest of the season to tropical storm Andrea. The nests that were laid in the beginning of the season were also significantly impacted by the onslaught of rain. This soggy weather, with cooler and heavier sand composition, is one factor thought to be the root cause of such unusual nest activity: partial hatchings, emergence of hatchlings during daylight hours and higher numbers of undeveloped eggs. The first week in September brought a flurry of hatching activity. The warmer and dryer weather during that week in conjunction with the cluster of when the nests were laid some just days apart led to several hatchings in a short period of time. Again, some showing no signs of readiness until a turtle was seen while others showed signs of increased activity day after day followed by long nights of waiting before finally hatching. So far, only 3 nests have hatched in a more typical fashion, exhibiting the boil or mass emergence of hatchlings in one night. However, even these nests had stragglers that were late to the party that finally emerged a few days later. There was one nest on Navarre Beach that was affectionately dubbed the Noah Nest because for days hatchlings emerged two by two!
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September Newsletter
Volunteer Spotlight: Jan & Ron Trzepacz
Congrats to our dynamic duo, Jan and Ron Trzepacz, this months volunteer spotlight! We are extremely fortunate to have this dedicated pair of volunteers who have helped us in so many ways. When an organization is just starting out there are many behind-the-scenes activities that have to happen for the operations of the organization to run smoothly. These activities are crucial, tedious and sometimes thankless jobs. However, our dynamic duo tackles each task, working together and always with a smile; even when Ron is hanging shelves in the Seamore Store, surrounded by ladies helping him with placement and input, he takes it all in stride!

Discovery Zone: The Kemps Ridley (Lepidochelys kempii)

The smallest of all sea turtles, the Kemps Ridley is a reminder of how drastically our While Ron is responsible for making sure the building operates properly and is an integral part of our expansion due to his vast society can impact a species. construction background, Jan makes sure the Seamore Store runs Weight: 100 lbs smoothly. As manager of the Seamore Store she is able to exercise her Length: 24-28 inches professional accounting and organizational skills; she keeps us on Appearance: grey/green color, track and motivated! Jan, while she will protest this statement, has an circular top shell extremely generous spirit. Her willingness knows no bounds; whether Diet: crabs, fish, jellyfish, it is painting, cleaning, bookkeeping or just adding those polished mollusks touches to the Center that bring a class and authenticity, she is devoted to the success of the Center and The Kemps exhibits two unique nesting behaviors: nests the NBSTCC is fortunate to We are blessed to live here and call the dynamic duo supporters in arribadas and during the we enjoy being able to give back day. Arribadas are where large and friends! and to hopefully contribute in groups come ashore and nest any small way to help preserve together. In 1947 an estimated Jan and Ron have been married 17 years and lived in the the beauty of Navarre Beach and 42,000 were observed in one Navarre area for two and half the health of our waters. arribada. Since then numbers years. They have two grown drastically declined: Late 60s numbers reduced to 5,000 , by sons and besides their devotion the early 90s only 200 Kemps to their families they also share a strong love for animals. Jans love for the ocean started when she was a child and that love still remains nested annually. This is attributed to incidental capture and now she enjoys sharing that passion with Ron. They both enjoy in fishing nets, egg collection, paddle boarding, shelling, and the peace of the water. Its always good to have a peaceful moment to put some footprints in the sand. and general threats to marine animals. Thanks to extensive Favorite turtle fact: They [sea turtles] are so fragile and yet face a conservation efforts, like life that requires so much strength. They travel the oceans of the world implementation of T.E.D.s on and yet return 20-30 years later to their place of birth to lay their shrimping trawls and eggs that is incredible! conservation of marine and nesting habitats, this species is showing early signs of You can make a difference too! Join our awesome team of recovery. A testament that volunteers. Visit our website and fill out a volunteer application: conservation can save a navarrebeachseaturtles.org/ species!
September 2013

Special edition
The Green Nest
Some would argue the cutest of sea turtle hatchlings, the Green sea turtle with its counter shaded body, large soulful eyes and elongated body and front flippers, is hard not to fall in love with at first sight. It has been 9 years since Navarre Beach was home to a Green sea turtle nest. As you can imagine, the hatching of this nest was much anticipated by all. However, if we have learned anything this year, it is that predicting a hatching is an art, not a science. Due to its rarity this nest was closely monitored the entire season. Activity was noticed too early in the incubation period leading many to fear ghost crabs had discovered the nest. The activity, in this case noise, did not persist but the nest remained under close observation. At the 50 day mark, observation periods were extended. During this time Navarre Beach Sea Turtle Patrol volunteers watched the top of the sand closely for change and spent more time with their ear to the sand listening. During the different stages of a hatching there are specific noises volunteers are trained to listen for. In the beginning, if youre patient and lucky, you can hear a pop or thump signaling that the hatchlings are pipping or breaking out of their shells. The second noise that is listened for is digging or scratching sounds signaling that the hatchlings are making their way to the top of the nest. This sound will intensify and get louder as the hatchlings get closer to the surface. Finally, the sound of falling sand or waterfalls are heard when large amounts of sand falls, as the hatchlings displace the space in the nest cavity, crawling up from the bottom and laying closer to the surface. In a text book hatch, this sound of sand falling would typically start to create a cone. The cone is actually an inverted cone formed as sand falls to the bottom of the nest cavity and hatchlings lay closer to the surface. At day 60 the nest started showing text book signs the hatchlings were getting ready to emerge. At this time volunteers sat quietly at the base of the berm, waiting, listening and waiting. Then as suddenly as activity started it stopped and the nest was quiet for hours leading many to think tonights not the night. Then a few hours later, in the wee hours between night and day, a turtle head emerged. This nest ended up having a boil or mass emergence of hatchlings and over 80 hatchlings emerged with a vigor that showed they were healthy and ready to hit the surf! The following night, a few stragglers made their way to the top of the nest and the total hatch for the Green ended up being 98! If were lucky, there were a lot of female baby turtles that in 20-30 years will find us again on Navarre Beach!!!

September 2013

September Newsletter
Find us on Facebook: Help grow awareness for sea turtles and conservation of marine resources by sharing our Facebook page.

The Pipeline: Fall is going to be a very exciting time around the NBSTCC. For one, we are
very close to starting construction on the much awaited residential sea turtle pool! Our Seamore Store is growing and were proud to announce we have (3) new artists showcasing their works in our store: Chuck Chunn, local marine artist, Jeff Waldorff ,award winning wildlife photography and Larry Metz, underwater wildlife photographer. Additionally, the NBSTCC is expanding its programs to include a Snowbirds and Sea Turtles program to enhance seasonal residents time at Navarre Beach. The program will focus on our regional sea turtles and unique coastal habitat, including the artificial reef system. Also new this month, the Jelly-Head club! Want to know more? Youll have to come by the Seamore Store and see if you got what it takes to be a part of the Jelly-Head Club! September 21st: International Coastal Clean Up, 8am, first parking lot as you enter the park. September 27-29: Community Outreach at the Sand Sculpting Contest: www.navarresandsculpting.com/ October 4th: Exhibit booth at the Monarch Madness from 10am to 3pm October 5th: Marine-Life Mania at the Center from 10 am to 2pm.
http://thebeachestowoodlandstour.com/coastal-encounters-2/

October 13th: Run for the Reef, 5k event and Kids Fun Run! http://www.navarrebeachmarinesanctuary.com/ October 26th and 27th: Boo at the Zoo! Come see us at the Gulf Breeze Zoo!
http://www.gbzoo.com/Events/SpecialEvents/BooattheZoo.aspx

Turtle Fun Fact:

There are many theories on what triggers an arribada, including offshore winds, lunar cycles, and the release of pheromones by females. Scientists have yet to conclusively determine Photo: Kim Bassos-Hull, the cues for Ridley Mote Marine Laboratory arribadas.
September 2013

To report someone disturbing a sea turtle nest or an injured, dead or harassed sea turtle
Call: 888-404-FWCC (3922) Cell Phone *FWC or #FWC