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See Tracks
or Turtles on Folly?
Please Call
588-2433
Folly Beach Turtle Watch
Folly Beach, SC 29439
e-mail
crew@follyturtles.com
First Nest 2008 (click photos for larger images)
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No incoming tracks were evident at dawn on Saturday, and all outgoing tracks were above the high tide line, mixed with wrack from previous tides. About 2 feet seaward of the sandfencing, however, there was a large body pit several feet long and wide. Sure looked like a nest, but could we confirm the eggs and "make it so?" Teamwork prevailed and after much-probing, hole-digging, and breath-holding, the clutch of 129 eggs was found and relocated to a nearby safer location. Thanks go to Mike and Cathy, Judy K and Carole, Bob and especially our Mystery Caller, Public Safety Dispatcher, and Momma Turtle for getting the season off to a great start!
The Crew receives lots of inquiries from visitors asking where they can see turtles nesting or hatching, or how they can somehow help in the efforts to save sea turtles.
While some volunteer groups have regularly scheduled activities that the public can attend, Folly Beach Turtle Watch does not. The "Watch" in our name doesn't mean that we actually get to watch the turtles.
Our "watch" is one of vigilence, of keeping guard, and of tending care. Our caretaking is overseen and licensed by the SC Department of Natural Resources. It is not a commercial venture in any way.
Most Crew members hurry off to full-time jobs after finishing their morning rounds, and, of course, the turtles have their own time table (after dark/before dawn) and preferences regarding
human company (none). We walk to their beat.
Beginning May 15th, if you'd like to come along, look for Crew members walking the high tide lines between 5:30-7:00 any morning. We'll be glad to involve you in whatever the turtles have given us to do.
There's always the chance that you'll see signs of turtle activity before the Crew does. If you do, please call 588-2433 (Folly's Public Safety dispatcher). They'll make
sure a Crew member is contacted immediately.
The YOU Can Help page highlights other important ways to participate in sea turtle protection.
Visit the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources Marine Turtle Conservation Program website
for a look at Charleston's "Turtles on the Town."
The site also highlights DNR research and management projects including the volunteer nest monitoring programs (like the Folly Beach Turtle Watch) throughout South Carolina.
It's mighty tough for humans to visit Cape Island (and what a good thing that is), but thousands of
sea turtles crawl its beach each year.
You can easily visit Cape's website to learn about the
important work done there to help protect sea turtles on South Carolina's #1 nesting beach.
The Cape Romain Wildlife Refuge also includes Bull Island where S.C.'s first nest was found this year. Over 200 nests are laid on Bull
each year, and this year they'll have extra protection from the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service and volunteers.
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