Week 1-4

On 25 October 09, we began our formal training with DEC representative Keely Markovina and Karen Hattingh, Gnaraloo’s Environmental Advisor. We learned that our duties were far-reaching, including data entry and management, developing protocols and procedures, report writing as well as spending significant portions of time conducting daily required beach monitoring! We have had to become “morning people”, as we now get up before first light so that we can hit the beach early to monitor before there is any track/nest interference by wind or predators.

Our official turtle monitoring season began on 1 November 09 and there wasn’t any turtle activity for the first part of November. On 11 November 09 ( ’Remembrance Day‘) we had our first two false crawls! A false crawl is when a turtle comes onto the beach to nest, but doesn’t actually lay eggs for various reasons. We had to wait until 15 November for our first 2 nests which happened to be laid by Loggerhead turtles. At Gnaraloo, there are three turtle species that come onto the beach to nest: Loggerhead, Green and Hawksbill. With 21 nests to date, we have had predominately Loggerhead nests, which is really exciting as they are an endangered species.

On 22 November, we were lucky enough to happen upon a female Loggerhead that was in the ending phase of covering her nest and returning to the ocean. We sat quietly and watched her and the experience reminded us why the research we’re doing here is so important. When studying turtles at a pristine site like Gnaraloo, where there is a functioning marine eco-system, lack of pollution and little human interference, one can’t help but be in awe of what turtles have been doing for millions of years.

We are getting a couple new nests every morning and as the nesting season continues it’s only going to get busier! We can’t wait! Amy & Jessica