July 22nd. Nest #8 After many years, we finally got a nest at Freeman Park!! This mama laid all the way up at marker 15, not far from the inlet. Luckily it appeared that no vehicles bothered her, but the nest and tracks were covered with fox prints. One lone egg was found near the mama's tracks...no explanation for this, as the rest of the eggs were found safe and sound in an undisturbed cavity. Fortunately, Nancy, the PIST Coordinator received permission from the State to move the nest off Freeman Park...so with the help of the CB Police (great job, Stuart!!) 110 eggs received a smooth ride off Freeman Park and down to their new location, where their nest moms were waiting for them. A big GREAT JOB goes out to Morning Patrollers Richard and Barbara for spotting the tracks in this very difficult patrol area. And congratulations to the whole group of nest moms who will be spoiling this nest rotten-The Island Women!

Sept. 22nd. After a long wait with no sign of a depression, Nest 8 finally hatched last night!! The turtles finally appeared around 10PM, as the tired group of nest moms (the Island Women) were chatting and planning the next day. Everyone sprang into action as the turtles appeared one by one from a tiny hole in the sand. After the initial boil of 31 turtles was escorted safely to the water, a second hole appeared behind the first...with the poor turtles emerging from this hole only to tumble back into the first hole. After another group of 40 finally made it to the water, an examination of both holes revealed a huge hollowed out area underneath. These turtles had obviously worked very hard to make their way out of the crusted, hard-packed sand.

July 24th. Nest #9. This was a classic example of a perfectly formed nest. Best of all it only took a couple of minutes to find the eggs! The nest was laid in a nice dry spot and did not need to be relocated.

Oct 2. Day 70. Change of plans for Nest # 9...we will be excavating the nest tonight instead of tomorrow. A lone baby slipped out late night before last. The tracks were spotted by CB police officer. While it was hard to determine if this baby made it, we were encouraged to discover that there is life in the nest. Due to the fact that it appeared that the baby tunneled quite a bit to get out, the officials in Raligh are letting us excavate a day early. Excuvation will start at 6:30 (this will be day 15 of the longest nest sit ever.) This has been an adventure...and we look forward to some answers and some closure to this nest tonight.

Happy to report that 133 babies were found and escorted to the ocean.

The following day two more babies emerged from the nest.

Check out: YouTube.com

Carolina Beach, Sea Turtle Nest #9, 2009

July 26th. Nest # 10. This is a great season for Carolina Beach, this nest bringing us into double digits. The 108 healthy eggs were relocated to higher ground.

Sept. 21. Nest #10 pulled a fast one and hatched all on their own in the middle of the night last night at day 56. There was no indication that anything was going on last night at 11:00, but when the Nest Moms checked it again in the early morning, there was the depression and tracks everywhere. With buckets and gloves, the nest moms scoured the area and were able to determine that the turtles did make it to the water.....even though they refused to use the nice trench that was made for them.

The excuvation revieled no live babies.

August 7th. Nest #11. A late-season mama paid us a visit last nihgt and laied Nest #11. Although this turtle did not select the best stretch of beach, she did get it as close to the dunes as she could possibly reach, so Nancy, the PIST Coordinater, decided to leave the nest in place.

This nest was moved later in the seson. Only 20 special babies were rescued from washout when Hurricane Bill brushed by our coast line.

Oct. 11- Today we received advice as to how to proceed with the 20 remaining eggs in Nest 11. Today is day 65, and there has been no movement except for ghost crabs in and around the nest. Now that the weather is cooler, we were not given permission to interfere with the nest for at least another week or 10 days. It was also recommended not sitting the nest, due to the small number of eggs and the uncertain status of the nest. Instead the nest Leaders will be checking the nest nightly instead. If you are in the area, please check the nest and let the nest parents know if you see anything. Ghost crab holes should be plugging up with sand.

Oct. 16 - As per State guidelines, PISTP Coordinator and nest parents carefully dug into Nest 11 to check on the 20 eggs inside....and what a surprise to find 16 babies alive and waiting for us!! They went ahead and dug them out, and after an overnight at the nest parents home to gain some strength, the babies will be released that night at 7:30. These 16 babies certainly wouldn't be alive without the dedication of the nest parents.

Tracks comming out of the water	Fox tracks on the nest
One egg found about 50 yards before the nest. Not know why it was dropped before the nest was dug.	Eggs from nest to be moved
Tracks back to the ocean	Nancy & a camper who came to watch. Notice the hard tire tracks the mohter turtle had to crawl over.