Texas Sea Turtle Nesting Report!

2009-06-16T10:08:00.001-05:00

New Total = 181

On June 15, 1 Kemp's ridley sea turtle nest was found on the Texas coast, on South Padre Island.

So far this year, 181 Kemp's ridley nests have been confirmed on the Texas coast including (north to south in state):

Bolivar Peninsula 1
Galveston Island 3
Brazoria County, north of Surfside 3
Surfside Beach 0
Quintana Beach 1
Bryan Beach 2
San Bernard Wildlife Refuge 1
Sargent Beach 1
Matagorda Peninsula 3
Matagorda Island 7
San Jose Island 4
Mustang Island 2
Corpus Christi Bay 1
North Padre Island 116, including 109 at Padre Island National Seashore
South Padre Island 27
Boca Chica Beach 9

On June 11, 1 Kemp's ridley sea turtle nest was found on the Texas coast, atPadre Island National Seashore.

On June 10, 2 Kemp's ridley sea turtle nests were found on the Texas coast,both at Padre Island National Seashore.

On June 9, 1 Kemp's ridley sea turtle nest was found on the Texas coast at Matagorda Island

On June 8, 2 Kemp's ridley sea turtle nest were found on the Texas coast,including 1 in Brazoria County and 1 on North Padre Island north of PadreIsland National Seashore.

On June 7, 14 Kemp's ridley sea turtle nest were found on the Texas coast, including 10 at Padre Island National Seashore, 3 on South Padre Island, and 1 on Matagorda Peninsula.

On June 1, 2 Kemp's ridley sea turtle nests were found in Texas. One waslocated at Padre Island National Seashore and the other on the CorpusChristi Bay beachfront.

This is the first record of a Kemp's ridley nesting in a bay in Texas. Bay nesting is not normal for this species. This turtle was quite possibly a head-started individual. Upon examination of a photograph of this turtle, a large tag scar was found on the right front flipper, which is characteristic of head-started turtles that havebeen documented nesting in Texas. The left side of the carapace was notvisible and part of the right side was covered in sand, so the carapace could not be thoroughly examined for a living tag. Collectively, 615individuals from the 1982 and 1985 year-classes were released into south Texas bays after 9-11 months of head-starting. This turtle might have been one of those individuals and the release location may have influenced her future nest site.

2009-06-03T20:31:00.000-05:00

Your morning adorable: Baby sea turtles released in Mexico (it's ... <http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/unleashed/2009/05/baby-sea-turtles-released-in-mexico.html>
Los Angeles Times - CA,USA

It's World Turtle Day, and we can't think of a better way of celebrating our shell-wearing friends than by watching a troupe of the little guys released on ...

2009-06-03T20:30:00.000-05:00

Ike renders Bolivar beaches unhospitable for nesting sea turtles

Beaumont Enterprise - Beaumont,tx,USA
By SARAH MOORE

In sea turtle circles, this means a mama sea turtle arrived on a beach only to return to the Gulf without nesting. ... LINK

2009-06-03T20:27:00.000-05:00

Sea turtles nest on pair of area beaches

Brazosport Facts - Clute,TX,USA... Endangered Kemp's ridley sea turtles nested on Brazoria County beaches Monday, a development that led a local wildlife official to forecast a positive year for the endangered sea turtle. ...LINK

2009-06-03T20:24:00.002-05:00

The Sea Turtle Document Library is SEATURTLE.ORG's one-stop-shop for sea turtle documents. This new resource is intended to help the sea turtle community share and discover published and unpublished documents related to sea turtles. LINK

2009-06-03T20:19:00.000-05:00

Largest number of turtle nests found on coast in single day

Corpus Christi Caller Times - Corpus Christi,TX,USA

Kemp's ridley sea turtle nesting season typically runs from late March to July or August. Park visitors are advised not to disturb nesting turtles and to ...LINK

2009-05-19T12:13:00.005-05:00

TEXAS KEMP"S RIDLEY NESTING EXPLODING!

Record-Breaking 120 Nests in Texas since opening day April 1!

On May 14, 3 Kemp's ridley nests were found on the Texas coast, including 2on Matagorda Peninsula and 1 on Matagorda Island.

So far this year, 120 Kemp's ridley nests have been confirmed on the Texas Gulf Coast!

See the latest on the Padre Island National Seashore website here.

See the schedule for Hatchling Releases here.

2009-04-30T17:40:00.002-05:00

On 4/26/09, 4 Kemp's ridley sea turtle nests were found on the Texas coast.
There were at Padre Island National Seashore and one on North Padre Island
north of Padre Island National Seashore.

So far this year, 25 Kemp's ridley nests have been confirmed on the Texas

coast including (north to south in state):

Bolivar Peninsula 0
Galveston Island 0
Brazoria County, just north of Surfside 0
Surfside Beach 0
Quintana Beach 0
Bryan Beach 0
Matagorda Peninsula 0
Matagorda Island 0
San Jose Island 0
Mustang Island 1

North Padre Island 19, including 18 at Padre Island National Seashore South

2009-04-26T11:54:00.000-05:00

On 4/22/09- 6 Kemp's ridley sea turtle nests were found on the Texas coast.

Five were located at Padre Island National Seashore. One was from a turtle
that emerged for nesting on South Padre Island. This turtle was severely
injured, likely as the result of being driven over by a vehicle. She was
transported for veterinary examination and euthanized. The 100 eggs within
the turtle were retrieved for incubation.

So far this year, 10 Kemp's ridley nests have been confirmed on the Texas

2009-04-20T11:04:00.001-05:00

Yesterday a Kemp's ridley sea turtle nest was found on the Texas coast, at Padre Island National Seashore.
So far this year, 4 Kemp's ridley nests have been confirmed on the Texascoast including (north to south in state):

Bolivar Peninsula 0Galveston Island 0Brazoria County, just north of Surfside 0Surfside Beach 0Quintana Beach 0Bryan Beach 0Matagorda Peninsula 0Matagorda Island 0San Jose Island 0Mustang Island 0North Padre Island 4, including 4 at Padre Island National Seashore SouthPadre Island 0 Boca Chica Beach 0

2008-08-05T21:22:00.001-05:00

KEMP'S RIDLEY TURTLE
A Kemp's ridley nest was found hatched and predated at Padre Island
National Seashore today at a previously identified track site where a
nest could not initially be found.

So far this year, 195 Kemp's ridley nests have been confirmed on the
Texas coast including (north to south in state): Bolivar Peninsula 7
Galveston Island 6 Brazoria County, just north of Surfside 1 Surfside
Beach 2 Quintana Beach 1 Bryan Beach 0 Matagorda Peninsula 0 Matagorda
Island 13 San Jose Island 5 Mustang Island 5 North Padre Island 103,
including 92 at Padre Island National Seashore South Padre Island 40
Boca Chica Beach 12

The 195 exceeds the previous record of 128 Kemp's ridley nests found in
Texas set during 2007. This marks the fifth consecutive year that
record numbers of Kemp's ridley nests have been recorded in Texas since
record keeping began in 1980.

GREEN TURTLE
So far this year, 4 green sea turtle nests have been confirmed on the
Texas coast including: North Padre Island 3, including 3 at Padre Island
National Seashore South Padre Island 1

LOGGERHEAD TURTLE
So far this year, 2 loggerhead sea turtle nest has been confirmed on the
Texas coast including: North Padre Island 2, including 2 at Padre Island
National Seashore

LEATHERBACK TURTLE
So far this year, 1 leatherback sea turtle nest has been confirmed on
the Texas coast including: North Padre Island 1, including 1 at Padre
Island National Seashore

ALL SPECIES COMBINED
So far this year, 202 sea turtle nests have been found on the Texas
coast! This surpasses the previous record of 137 sea turtle nests found
in Texas during 2007.

2008-07-29T22:46:00.001-05:00

Nesting turtles, lady patrollers make for success in 2008
advertising
June 18, 2008 - 12:00 a.m.
Nesting Kemp’s ridley sea turtles and female turtle patrollers on Matagorda Island have had successful encounters in several different ways during the 2008 nesting season. It is already a record-breaker for finding nests laid by the female endangered Kemp’s ridley sea turtles with 170 nests have been located along the Texas coast, the most in one season since record keeping began in 1980.

And there is still over a month to go in this nesting season.

During the 2007 season, 128 nests were found.

With the 2008 results so far, the record for the number of nests found has been broken six consecutive years in a row.

The Kemp’s ridley sea turtles’ nesting season extends from mid-April through mid-July. During the 2007 season, eight nests were located on Matagorda Island alone. So far this year, 10 nests have been located on the island.

Three live Kemp’s ridley sea turtles have been found on Matagorda Island so far this year. Each of the live turtles was found on her nest. That means each turtle was either digging her nest, or laying her eggs, or covering up her nest and then camouflaging it to protect it from predators such as coyotes and feral hogs.

Female patrollers on Matagorda Island found eight of the nests, including two of the nests with live turtles on them.

Locating as many nests as possible is vital for the survival of the species. The turtles’ eggs are relocated, whenever possible, from the nest where they are found to the national turtle lab on Padre Island for incubation and release.

Eggs are incubated under controlled conditions to assure the most hatchlings possible. Also there, the eggs are incubated at the best temperature –88 to 89 degrees – to yield the highest number –90 to 100 percent– of female hatchlings – future egg-layers – possible. Then the hatchlings are released by humans into the Gulf’s waters to ensure their safe progress across the Padre Island beach to the water’s edge.

But nests aren’t the only valuable target in patrolling for turtles. Live Kemp’s ridley sea turtles – and dead ones – located by patrollers can help us learn more about their species. Turtles of other species are sometimes found on the beach as well.

Helpful data from live and dead turtles

When live turtles are found, they’re given a physical exam and checked for identifying tags. Stranded turtles are recovered and rehabilitated, as appropriate.

When dead turtles are found, they are given a post-mortem exam and are recovered according to the procedure set up by the national turtle lab.

Data from dead turtles can help us learn more about threats to the turtles.

One threat is plastic bottles they can bite into, then swallow their bite. They cannot digest the plastic bite and, if they swallow enough of it, they don’t have room for food. Needless to say, that can be fatal.

Nets they can get tangled in can also cause their deaths. They can drown or lose a flipper from entanglement. Knowledge about threats grows partly from recovery of dead or stranded turtles.

Kemp’s ridleys are currently tagged using metal and electronic identifiers. Metal tags are clipped on flippers, and an electronic tag is inserted into a flipper. Both live and dead turtles found on the beach are checked for all identifiers that indicate they’ve been examined and tagged before.

Where the tagged turtles’ were when they are found is added to their data already stored to help improve understanding of their movements – and assist efforts to help their species survive.

New turtles, also called wild turtles, are turtles that have not been tagged before. When found and tagged, they provide additional data on location, health and physical characteristics of turtles not previously available to researchers.

Challenges to humans gathering turtles’ data

Patrollers must restrain a female turtle found on the beach once she’s finished nesting and is very eager to return to her watery home. After all, what sane water-living creature would want to stay on a hot beach with the promise of cool water close by? So the 90-100-pound turtle propels herself with all her might towards the Gulf. But they need to keep her on the beach while she’s examined and possibly tagged.

Maintaining hold on the female turtle so that both she and the patrollers remain unharmed is challenging and demanding. More than one female patroller has found herself shoved toward the water while she tried to keep her big turtle on Matagorda’s beach. The physical exam requires several measurements.

Moreover a new turtle also has to endure being tagged.

All in all, the restraint can be hard work for patrollers who are smaller. But several female patrollers have had many hours on the beach this year to develop and polish their restraint techniques. Several of them have been on the beach patrolling over 100 hours this season, and one had over 220 hours in May alone. They’ve become rather practiced at keeping female Kemp’s ridleys on the beach while they’re seen to.

Challenges in 2008

Beach conditions on Matagorda Island in 2008 have made patrolling difficult much of the season so far. Patrolling has been stopped at least once because conditions became so bad. The water’s been so high that there’s been very little beach to drive along as the teams of patrollers search for the female turtle’s telltale trail from the water’s edge to her nest and then back again.

In addition, the sandy area of the beach has been so narrow – if not non-existent – that spotting the turtle’s distinctive alternating claw marks and dragging tail tracks has been impossible sometimes. Even after the tracks are spotted, locating the nesting site is not assured.

The difficulty can be even worse when the turtle makes her nest in the dunes. The soft sand there is more difficult to search for signs of a nest, and signs of her nest-making are not so easily detected among the dunes area. It’s not like having her nest in an area of nice flat sand, like a beach. And it’s sometimes hard enough to locate her nest on the beach if she’s not on her nest.

Nests located in 2008

Despite difficulties during the 2008 season, of the 10 nests found on Matagorda Island, 16 of the 20 patrollers involved were female. So, 80 percent of the patrollers finding nests in 2008 are female. Does it sound like the ladies patrolling and the Kemp’s ridley females laying eggs are cooperating? Or is it that some of the ladies have been on the island 10-12 days in a month? Who knows? It’s too bad for the species we can’t cure their endangered status by using exclusively female patrollers and more patrollers overall to help them.

The critical factor in locating nests and the female turtles is having patrollers on the beach as many hours as possible – 24-7 is the best.

If you spot a sea turtle, you should contact the Turtle Hotline, 1-866-TURTLE-5, and give them the particulars of your discovery. They don’t need to know about other turtles, even if they’re on the beach. You can get more information about how to identify sea turtles at www.nps.gov/pais/naturescience/reptiles.htm.

A final note: The data on nests located and turtles found – live, stranded, and dead – in 2008 is given as of June 12. Hopefully there will be many more nests and live turtles before the nesting season ends in July.

Paul and Mary Meredith are Master Naturalists.

2008-07-29T22:40:00.001-05:00

UPDATED, 8:00 a.m.: For the first time since the 1930’s, federal biologists confirmed that a leatherback sea turtle has nested on a Texas beach, at the Padre Island National Seashore near Corpus Christi.
Last Friday, staff conducting a beach patrol found turtle tracks and a few exposed eggs. They were thought at first to be those of a green turtle. But the eggs and the width of the tracks, more than six feet across, were later determined by a park biologist, Cynthia Rubio, to be from a leatherback. The giant turtles, endangered around the world, have until now only been known to nest in four spots in the United States – with about three dozen females a year laying eggs on beaches along the east coast of Florida and slightly larger nesting populations in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. There is evidence of nesting in North Carolina as well.
An e-mail message circulating around the community of sea turtle conservationists came my way today and staff at Padre Island confirmed the details.
Today also saw a champion in the “Great Turtle Race,” in which students and turtle fans tracked the meanderings of 11 radio-tagged leatherbacks in the Pacific Ocean. The first to reach the International Date Line was a turtle named Saphira II, sponsored by the Bullis Charter School of Los Altos, Calif.

Link to Photo of Leatherback Tracks on Beach

2008-07-29T22:39:00.001-05:00

Record 161 Kemp’s ridley nests found so far

From staff reports
The Daily News
Published June 11, 2008

A record number of Kemp’s ridley nests have bee reported on the coast, Sea Turtle Restoration Project reported.

So far this year, 161 Kemp’s ridley nests have been confirmed on the Texas coast, the most since record keeping began in 1980.

The 161 nest total exceeds the previous record of 128 Kemp’s ridley nests found in Texas set during 2007.

This marks the fifth consecutive year that record numbers of Kemp’s ridley nests have been recorded in Texas.

This endangered sea turtle is a resident of the Gulf of Mexico and was near extinction in the mid-1980s.

This is the 30th anniversary of a cooperative program between the Republic of Mexico and the United States to prevent their extinction.

The U.S. federal requirement to place turtle excluder devices on shrimp trawls to allow sea turtles to escape drowning combined with protection of the beaches in Mexico and the United States and a program of releasing hatchlings are credited with the increased population of ridleys.

+++

Nest Sites On Texas Coast

Location, No. of nests

Bolivar Peninsula, 4 Galveston Island, 5 Brazoria County, north of Surfside, 1 Surfside Beach, 2 Matagorda Island, 10 San Jose Island, 3 Mustang Island, 5 North Padre Island, including 77 at Padre Island National Seashore, 87 South Padre Island, 36 Boca Chica Beach, 8

Total, 161

2008-07-29T22:34:00.001-05:00

This morning an update was sent that a green turtle nest was located at
Padre Island National Seashore today. This was based on the report from
the turtle patroller, who found the wide tracks and a few eggs at the
surface (so we knew that we had a nest). Upon further investigation,
the identification has been changed from green turtle to leatherback
turtle. Padre Island National Seashore Biologist Cynthia Rubio, who has
seen leatherback nests in Mexico, confirmed that it is a leatherback
nest. The tracks measured 203 cm wide and the egg diameter was 5.7 cm,
both much larger than recorded for green turtles. This is the first
leatherback nest recorded on the Texas coast since the 1930's. The only
other leatherback nests that have been recorded on the Texas coast were
from the 1920's and 1930's at what was later designated as Padre Island
National Seashore. The historic leatherback nests were from the Little
and Big Shell area of the National Seashore and this nest was located in
that vicinity.

2008-06-06T14:35:00.001-05:00

Yesterday 11 Kemp's ridley nests were found on the Texas coast including 1 on Surfside Beach, 6 at Padre Island National Seashore, 3 on SouthPadre Island, and 1 on Boca Chica Beach.

So far this year, 159 Kemp's ridley nests have been confirmed on the Texas coast including (north to south in state): Bolivar Peninsula 4Galveston Island 5 Brazoria County, just north of Surfside 1 Surfside Beach 2 Bryan Beach 0 Matagorda Peninsula 0 Matagorda Island 10 San JoseIsland 3 Mustang Island 5 North Padre Island 87, including 77 at PadreIsland National Seashore South Padre Island 34 Boca Chica Beach 8

The 159 exceeds the previous record of 128 Kemp's ridley nests found inTexas set during 2007.

This marks the fifth consecutive year thatrecord numbers of Kemp's ridley nests have been recorded in Texas sincerecord keeping began in 1980.

2008-06-04T13:45:00.001-05:00

2007 Nesting Record Shattered! 6 Weeks left in Season...

On June 2, 1 Kemp's ridley nest was found on the Texas coast at Boca Chica Beach.

On June 3, 23 Kemp's ridley nests were found on the Texas coast including 1 on Galveston Island, 3 on Matagorda Island, 1 on MustangIsland, 1 on North Padre Island north of Padre Island National Seashore,and 12 at Padre Island National Seashore, and 5 on South Padre Island.

The 23 is the most Kemp's ridley nests documented on the Texas coast ina single day since record keeping began in 1980.

So far this year, 148 Kemp's ridley nests have been confirmed on theTexas coast including (north to south in state): Bolivar Peninsula 4Galveston Island 5 Brazoria County, just north of Surfside 1 SurfsideBeach 1 Bryan Beach 0 Matagorda Peninsula 0 Matagorda Island 10 San JoseIsland 3 Mustang Island 5 North Padre Island 81, including 71 at PadreIsland National Seashore South Padre Island 31 Boca Chica Beach 7The 148 exceeds the previous record of 128 Kemp's ridley nests found inTexas set during 2007.

This marks the fifth consecutive year thatrecord numbers of Kemp's ridley nests have been recorded in Texas sincerecord keeping began in 1980.

GO TURTLES!

2008-06-02T16:28:00.001-05:00

On May 30, three Kemp's ridley nests were found on the Texas coast, including one on Galveston Island and two on Bolivar Peninsula.

On May 31, four Kemp's ridley nests were found on the Texas coastincluding one on Galveston Island and three at Padre Island National Seashore.

On June 1, eight Kemp's ridley nests were found on the Texas coastincluding five at Padre Island National Seashore, two on San Jose Island, and one on South Padre Island. Some of these were likely from the day before.

So far this year, 124 Kemp's ridley nests have been confirmed on the Texas coast including (north to south in state): Bolivar Peninsula 4Galveston Island 4 Brazoria County, just north of Surfside 1 SurfsideBeach 1 Bryan Beach 0 Matagorda Peninsula 0 Matagorda Island 7 San Jose
Island 3 Mustang Island 4 North Padre Island 68, including 59 at PadreIsland National Seashore South Padre Island 26 Boca Chica Beach 6

2008-05-30T13:38:00.001-05:00

Yesterday 3 Kemp's ridley nests were located on the Texas coast, all onMatagorda Island.

These nests were 1 to perhaps 2 days old when found.

So far this year, 109 Kemp's ridley nests have been confirmed on the Texas coast including (north to south in state): Bolivar Peninsula 2Galveston Island 2 Brazoria County, just north of Surfside 1 SurfsideBeach 1 Bryan Beach 0 Matagorda Peninsula 0 Matagorda Island 7 San JoseIsland 1 Mustang Island 4 North Padre Island 60, including 51 at PadreIsland National Seashore South Padre Island 25 Boca Chica Beach 6

2008-05-28T21:54:00.000-05:00

Yesterday 7 nests were found on the Texas coast including 4 on SouthPadre Island, 1 at Padre Island National Seashore, 1 on North PadreIsland north of Padre Island National Seashore, and 1 on MatagordaIsland.

So far this year, 101 Kemp's ridley nests have been confirmed on the
Texas coast including (north to south in state): Bolivar Peninsula 2Galveston Island 2 Brazoria County, just north of Surfside 1 SurfsideBeach 1 Bryan Beach 0 Matagorda Peninsula 0 Matagorda Island 2 San Jose
Island 1 Mustang Island 4 North Padre Island 57, including 48 at PadreIsland National Seashore South Padre Island 25 Boca Chica Beach 6

2008-05-20T18:02:00.000-05:00

Friday, May 16

Today 19 Kemp's ridley nest were found on the Texas coast including 9 atPadre Island National Seashore, 5 on South Padre Island, 3 on Boca ChicaBeach, 1 on Mustang Island, and 1 on San Jose Island.

This was the most Kemp's ridley nests documented on the Texas coast in asingle day since record-keeping began in 1980.

So far this year, 78 Kemp's ridley nests have been confirmed on theTexas coast including (north to south in state): Bolivar Peninsula 2Galveston Island 1 Surfside Beach 1 Bryan Beach 0 Matagorda Peninsula 0Matagorda Island 1 San Jose Island 1 Mustang Island 4 North Padre Island43, including 37 at Padre Island National Seashore South Padre Island 19Boca Chica Beach 6

2008-05-20T18:01:00.001-05:00

Yesterday 3 Kemp's ridley nest were found on the Texas coast including 3at Padre Island National Seashore.

So far this year, 81 Kemp's ridley nests have been confirmed on theTexas coast including (north to south in state): Bolivar Peninsula 2Galveston Island 1 Surfside Beach 1 Bryan Beach 0 Matagorda Peninsula 0Matagorda Island 1 San Jose Island 1 Mustang Island 4 North Padre Island46, including 40 at Padre Island National Seashore South Padre Island 19Boca Chica Beach 6

2008-05-15T10:48:00.001-05:00

Yesterday 1 Kemp's ridley nest was found on the Texas coast. It was located on Bolivar Peninsula.

So far this year, 59 Kemp's ridley nests have been confirmed on the
Texas coast including (north to south in state): Bolivar Peninsula 2Galveston Island 1 Surfside Beach 1 Bryan Beach 0 Matagorda Peninsula 0Matagorda Island 1 Mustang Island 3 North Padre Island 34, including 28at Padre Island National Seashore South Padre Island 14 Boca Chica Beach3

2008-05-14T12:55:00.001-05:00

More Nests Found!

Yesterday 2 Kemp's ridley nests were found on the Texas coast including
1 at Padre Island National Seashore and 1 on Surfside Beach.

So far this year, 58 Kemp's ridley nests have been confirmed on the
Texas coast ....

2008-05-09T08:52:00.000-05:00

Yesterday 5 Kemp's ridley nests were found on the Texas coast including
2 at Padre Island National Seashore (one of which was from a set oftracks that was located the day before), 1 on North Padre Island northof Padre Island National Seashore, 1 on South Padre Island, and 1 on Matagorda Island.

So far this year, 53 Kemp's ridley nests have been confirmed on the Texas coast including (north to south in state):Bolivar Peninsula 1 Galveston Island 1 Surfside Beach 0 Bryan Beach 0
Matagorda Peninsula 0 Matagorda Island 1 Mustang Island 2 North PadreIsland 31, including 25 at Padre Island National Seashore South PadreIsland 14 Boca Chica Beach 3

2007-09-07T05:34:00.001-05:00

Great Photo Album of Releases at Padre Island National Seashore!

Kemp's ridleys go to sea — The National Park Service releases Kemp's ridley sea turtles into the Gulf of Mexico at North Padre Island, June 26, 2006.

2007-09-07T05:29:00.000-05:00

We made the AP Wire!

Endangered turtle nests found in Texas
© 2007 The Associated Press

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — Wildlife officials counted a record 128 Kemp's ridley sea turtle nests this summer on Texas beaches. http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/ap/science/5106682.html

2007-08-16T16:23:00.000-05:00

Timely Tribute to the Turtle Lady of Upper Texas!

An honor only an activist can appreciate has been bestowed upon the matron of marine turtles (of the upper Gulf of Mexico, at least), Carole H. Allen. Carole has dedicated over 30 years of her life to the protection and conservation of the Kemp's ridley sea turtle, once near extinction after its numbers were decimated by numerous human activities. Carole serves as the director of HEART and the Gulf office of the Sea Turtle Restoration Project.

See the story and satellite tracking of the newly released "Carole" sea turtle, via the following link at SeaTurtle.org... Congratulations, Carole! And thanks for all your dedication and hard work.

2007-07-11T17:23:00.001-05:00

OK, everyone, here are the turtle names!

First turtle:Name taken from list of names submitted by the students of SEED schools inRussia.

Name: Kuzya

Meaning: Mischievous spirit who brings luck and energy

Second turtle:Name taken from list of names submitted by the students of SEED schools inChina.

Name: Lan Hai Yi

Meaning: Blue sea friendship

2007-07-11T12:30:00.000-05:00

LATE NEWS FLASH- Juvenile Release Tomorrow morning!

A combination of situations has allowed Erin at NOAA to attach satellite transmitters to two juvenile Kemp's ridleys this afternoon for their release tomorrow morning (Thursday) at the east end of McFaddin National Wildlife
Refuge. These will be the last two (5th & 6th) SEED/Schlumberger
transmitters for 2007. Shanna and I will leave Galveston around 7:00AM
tomorrow, and depending on the ferry, etc., we should arrive at MNWR
around 9:30/10:00AM.

Directions from Houston:
- Take I-10 East to Winnie.
-Merge onto TX-73 E via EXIT 828 toward TX-124 / WINNIE / PORT ARTHUR.
TX-73 E will become TX-82 S (follow signs to Sea Rim State Park).
-Make a right to get on TX-87 S in Port Arthur (I think there is a sign
for Sea Rim State Park)
-Make a right in Sabine Pass to stay on TX-87S (four way stop)
-Go past Sea Rim State Park and McFaddin NWR office, and make a left onto
the beach at the first access after the road ends.

Here's some info on the turtles:

1. Smaller juvenile Kemp's ridley caught on recreational hook-and-line
at a Galveston fishing pier in mid-May and responded to by the NOAA Sea
Turtle Facility. This turtle had swallowed the hook, which was removed
at the Houston Zoo Veterinary Clinic. The turtle was held at the NOAA
Sea Turtle Facility for an extended time to allow for relatively fresh
shark bites to heal. This turtle will be named by SEED Russia and
tracked by TAMUG.

2. Larger juvenile Kemp's ridley caught on recreational hook-and-line at
McFaddin NWR in mid-July and responded to by USFWS Law Enforcement who
transferred the turtle to the NOAA Sea Turtle Facility. This turtle had
also swallowed a hook that was removed at the Houston Zoo and was held
at the NOAA Sea Turtle Facility. This turtle will be named by SEED
China and tracked by TAMUG.

2007-06-29T22:07:00.001-05:00

Today, a Kemp's ridley nest was located on Boca Chica Beach. The nesting
turtle was seen and was an individual from the wild stock.

The next hatchling release that will be open to the public at Padre Island
National Seashore will be sometime between about July 3 and 6. As those
dates approach, more information can be obtained by calling the Hatchling
Hotline.

2007-06-25T20:35:00.000-05:00

On June 19, two Kemp's ridley nests were found on South Padre Island and
one was found on Galveston Island on the 20th by Christy Hughes on her regular patrol. Way to go Christy! Unfortunately, the nesting turtles were not seen at any of these locations.

On 18 June, a Kemp's ridley from the wild stock false crawled twice at
Padre Island National Seashore. On 20 June, a green turtle false crawl
was found at Padre Island National Seashore. Green turtle nestings are rare in Texas...

2007-06-12T08:27:00.001-05:00

Record Shattered! 6 Weeks to go!

On June 8, 3 Kemp's ridley nests were found on the Texas coast,
including 1 on Galveston Island, 1 on Matagorda Island, and 1 on South
Padre Island. A set of Kemp's ridley tracks was located at Padre Island
National Seashore, but a nest could not be found.

On June 9, a loggerhead nest was found at Padre Island National
Seashore.

So far this year, 118 Kemp's ridley nests have been confirmed on the
Texas coast including (north to south in state): Bolivar Peninsula 1
Galveston Island 5 Surfside Beach 2 Bryan Beach 1 Matagorda Peninsula 3
Matagorda Island 8 Mustang Island 4 North Padre Island, north of Padre
Island National Seashore 8 Padre Island National Seashore 69 South Padre
Island 15 Boca Chica Beach 2

The 118 is the most Kemp's ridley nests that have been confirmed on the
Texas coast since record keeping began in the 1980's. Many area records
have also been broken.

So far this year, 1 loggerhead nest has been found on the Texas coast,
at Padre Island National Seashore. Kemp's ridley is the most frequent
nester on the Texas coast, but each year from 1-5 loggerhead and 1-5
green turtle nests are typically found.

2007-06-12T08:26:00.001-05:00

On June 6, 4 Kemp's ridley nest was found on the Texas coast, all at
Padre Island National Seashore.

On June 7, 16 Kemp's ridley nests were found on the Texas coast,
including 7 at Padre Island National Seashore, 3 on Matagorda Peninsula,
2 on North Padre Island north of Padre Island National Seashore, 1 on
Matagorda Island, 1 on Mustang Island, 1 on Boca Chica Beach, and 1 on
South Padre Island.

So far this year, 115 Kemp's ridley nests have been confirmed on the
Texas coast including (north to south in state): Bolivar Peninsula 1
Galveston Island 4 Surfside Beach 2 Bryan Beach 1 Matagorda Peninsula 3
Matagorda Island 7 Mustang Island 4 North Padre Island, north of Padre
Island National Seashore 8 Padre Island National Seashore 69 South Padre
Island 14 Boca Chica Beach 2

The 115 is the most Kemp's ridley nests that have been confirmed on the
Texas coast since record keeping began in the 1980's. Many area records
have also been broken.

2007-06-12T08:23:00.000-05:00

80

On May 25, 2 Kemp's ridley nests were found in Texas, including 1 at
Padre Island National Seashore and 1 on Bryan Beach. The nesting turtle
was only seen at the site on the National Seashore and it was from the
wild stock.

2007-05-25T11:13:00.000-05:00

SEVENTY-EIGHT

On May 24, 3 Kemp's ridley nests were found in Texas, including 2 at
Padre Island National Seashore and 1 on Bolivar Peninsula. The nesting
turtle was only seen at one of the sites on the National Seashore and it
was from the wild stock.

2007-05-24T10:24:00.000-05:00

75!

On May 23, 5 Kemp's ridley nests were found in Texas, including 3 at
Padre Island National Seashore, 1 on North Padre Island north of Padre
Island National Seashore, and 1 on Mustang Island. The nesting turtles
were seen at three of these sites and were all wild turtles.

2007-05-23T08:38:00.000-05:00

New Total = 70!

On May 21, 5 Kemp's ridley nests were found in Texas, including 3 at
Padre Island National Seashore, 1 on South Padre Island, and 1 on
Mustang Island.

On May 22, 6 Kemp's ridley nests were found in Texas, including 4 at
Padre Island National Seashore, 1 on South Padre Island, and 1 on
Matagorda Island.

The nesting turtles were found at 7 of the 11 sites and all were turtles
from the wild stock

2007-05-18T18:14:00.000-05:00

Link to Surfside Nesting Story

2007-05-18T17:42:00.000-05:00

BIG DAY FOR TURTLES! Additional 10 nests at Padre National Seashore!

Yesterday, 12 Kemp's ridley nests were located in Texas, including 10 at
Padre Island National Seashore, 1 on Galveston Island, and 1 on Surfside
Beach. Today, 3 Kemp's ridley nests were located in Texas, including 1
on Padre Island National Seashore, 1 on North Padre Island north of
Padre Island National Seashore, and 1 on Galveston Island. The nesting
turtles were seen at 11 of these sites and included 6 head-start and 5
wild turtles. (Galveston Nests previously reported this blog)

In addition to these nests, a head-started Kemp's ridley was documented
on Galveston Island but a nest could not be located or confirmed. (Previously reported in this blog- San Luis Pass)... See totals to the left...

2007-05-18T17:39:00.000-05:00

Correction to previous post: 3 new in Galveston and 1 in Surfside this week!

17 May 2007, 10:00 am

A nesting Kemp's ridley was reported in Sea Isle (Galveston) by TAMUG patroller Chris Chapa. Shanna Kethan (NOAA) and Christi Hughes (NOAA, TAMUG) responded to nest site. One hundred sixteen eggs were excavated and packed into two Styrofoam containers for transport to PINS for incubation. The nesting female was brought back to the NOAA Fisheries Sea Turtle Facility for measuring and tagging. She had a living tissue tag on her second left costal scute, a flipper tag scar on her right front flipper, a PIT tag in her left pectoral muscle, and a coded wire tag in her left front flipper. She was a 1991 year class captive reared turtle. Christi Hughes and Erin Seney outfitted the turtle with a satellite transmitter, and Christi released the turtle at the nest location

18 May 2007 at approximately 9:00 am.17 May 2007, 12:30 pm A nesting Kemp's ridley was reported at San Luis Pass (Galveston) by Antone Jackson (TPWD game warden). Shanna Kethan (NOAA) and Christi Hughes (NOAA, TAMUG) responded to nest site. After approximately 2.5 hours of excavation no eggs or nest cavity could be located. The female turtle was brought back to the NOAA Fisheries Sea Turtle Facility for measuring and tagging. She had a living tissue tag on her fourth right costal scute, a flipper tag scar on her right front flipper, and a coded wire tag in her left front flipper. She was a 1989 year class captive reared turtle. Christi Hughes and Erin Seney outfitted the turtle with a satellite transmitter, and Christi released the turtle at the nest location 18 May 2007 at approximately 12:30 pm.

18 May 2007, 9:55 am A nesting Kemp's ridley was reported near 8 Mile Road (Galveston) by beach visitor Cindy Shields. Christi Hughes (NOAA, TAMUG) and Tracie Teague responded to nest site. Ninety eggs were excavated and packed into a Styrofoam container for transport to PINS for incubation. The nesting female was brought back to the NOAA Fisheries Sea Turtle Facility for measuring and tagging. She had a living tissue tag on her fifth left costal scute, a flipper tag on her right front flipper (SSH496), and a coded wire tag in her right front flipper. She was a 1995 year class captive reared turtle. Christi Hughes outfitted the turtle with a satellite transmitter, and Christi will release the turtle at the nest location this evening.This brings the total nest count for Galveston Island to 4 confirmed nests. Three adult females have been seen.

There was also a nest on Surfside Beach on 17 May 2007. The nesting female was not seen by biologists, but pictures were taken by beachgoers. Keith Ramos and Jennifer Sanchez (USFWS) responded to the nest and packed 110 eggs for transport to PINS for incubation.

2007-05-17T19:08:00.001-05:00

New Total = 34

Today, two Kemp's ridley nests were located in Texas. One was at PadreIsland National Seashore and the nesting turtle was not seen. Thesecond nest was on Mustang Island and was from a head-started turtlethat had been hatched at Padre Island National Seashore in 1988 and hadbeen documented nesting previously on Mustang Island and North PadreIsland.

2007-05-11T09:21:00.000-05:00

TAKE ACTION ALERT!

Even 30 years after legislation passed requiring shrimp trawl boats be equipped with escape hatches called turtle excluder devices, sea turtles -- all of them either threatened or endangered -- are still drowning in trawl nets. This is because the U.S. government allows other trawl fisheries in the Atlantic and the Gulf of Mexico to operate without the turtle excluder devices. Turtle excluder devices, commonly known as "TEDs" are proven to reduce the mortality rate of sea turtles caught in trawls because when the turtles are captured they strike the grid bars on the TED and are ejected through the opening. This allows the turtles to surface and breath rather than being held underwater in the trawl net to drown.>>TAKE ACTION: Tell the government to require all trawl vessels to employ TEDs!

Write to the National Marine Fisheries Service and tell them to stop letting so many turtles be injured or killed in trawl fisheries! The comment period ends May 18, so be sure to pass along your input today!

2007-05-09T16:40:00.001-05:00

Today, another Kemp's ridley was located in Texas on Matagorda Island.Based on the appearance of the eggs, the nest was at least 24 hours old.It may have been from 7 May, when another nesting occurred there (nonests were documented in Texas on 8 May).

2007-05-09T16:39:00.000-05:00

Today, two Kemp's ridley nests were found in Texas including one on
North Padre Island north of Padre Island National Seashore and one at
Padre Island National Seashore. The suspected nest site found on
Matagorda Island on 7 May was confirmed yesterday. From these three
sites, only one nesting turtle was seed (at the site on North Padre
north of the National Seashore) and it was a turtle from the wild stock.

2007-05-08T09:01:00.000-05:00

Carole Allen Honored for Conservation Work

Local activist Carole Hoover Allen, has been selected to receive the 2007 Distinguished Alumni Award from Hillsboro Community Unit School District Educational Foundation. Allen is being honored for her work, since the late 1970s, as a leader in the conservation movement to protect and save sea turtles from extinction.

In 1982 she founded HEART (Help Endangered Animals Ridley Turtles), that raised money and informed the public about the plight of the Kemp's Ridley sea turtle, which was being decimated by poaching, predation and the shrimp industry. Allen mobilized other environmental organizations and testified at federal hearings to get legislation passed requiring the shrimp industry to install the turtle excluder device (TED) on all shrimping boats. Click here to read entire story.

2007-05-08T08:54:00.001-05:00

Yesterday, two Kemp's ridley nests were found in Texas including one on
North Padre Island north of Padre Island National Seashore and one at
Padre Island National Seashore. Another suspected nest site found
yesterday on Matagorda Island is being investigated today. The nesting
turtles were not seen at any of the sites.

2007-05-07T08:01:00.001-05:00

Matagorda Nest Report

Thought you'd all like to know that the patrol team of Donna McKinney and Larry Tisdel (non-TMN) on Matagorda Island yesterday found a turtle AND her nest around the 11.1 north mile marker; the nest had 94 eggs.

This turtle was already tagged, so they know that she is the SAME turtle found first by Mike & TJ last year, and then about 2 weeks later by Donna & Ray. Last year's eggs from both nests were infertile, but hopefully she's a year older now and we'll have hatchlings from this release.

Way to go, Donna & Larry!!!

2007-05-07T07:41:00.001-05:00

Mass export of turtles sounds alarm
Houston Chronicle - Houston,TX,USATurtles — with the exception of a handful of species, such as sea turtles, designated as endangered or threatened — fall into the broad category of ...

2007-05-07T07:19:00.001-05:00

Newcomers both friends and foes of Mexico's sea turtles
Houston Chronicle - Houston,TX,USAEfforts in Mexico to protect sea turtles are a patchwork of official and unofficial endeavors, according to Sea Turtle, Inc., a nonprofit based in South ...

2007-05-07T07:18:00.001-05:00

Gladys Porter Zoo Director saves turtles
Team 4 News - Harlingen,TX,USAFor decades, Burchfield has been dedicated to the endangered Kemps Ridley sea turtle recovery effort. 99 % of the turtles nest in an 80 mile stretch of ...

2007-05-07T07:15:00.000-05:00

Endangered turtle lays 84 eggs on South Padre
Houston Chronicle - Houston,TX,USA... according to information released Tuesday by Donna Shave, chief of the National Park Service division of sea turtle science and recovery at Padre Island

2007-05-06T18:48:00.000-05:00

SIX NESTS DOWN SOUTH!

Yesterday, six Kemp's ridley nest were found in Texas including one on
Mustang Island, two at Padre Island National Seashore, and three on
South Padre Island. The nesting turtles were examined at four of the
sites and were all turtles from the wild stock.

2007-05-05T07:09:00.001-05:00

SECOND GALVESTON NEST!

Sea turtle tracks were found today, May 3, 2007, by TAMUG patroller
Chris Chapa. Responders included Shanna Kethan (NOAA), Dr. Andre Landry
(TAMUG), and Dr. Tasha Metz (TAMUG). One hundred nineteen eggs were
excavated and prepared for transport to Padre Island National Seashore
where the eggs will be incubated.

The nest was discovered at approximately 1045 am in front of the
Sandhill Shores subdivision on the west end of Galveston Island. This
is the second nest of the season on Galveston Island, the first being on
May 1, 2007. Neither turtle was seen.

2007-05-03T07:38:00.000-05:00

NINETEEN!

Subject: More nests found

Yesterday, six Kemp's ridley nests were found in Texas including four at
Padre Island National Seashore, one on South Padre Island, and one on
Matagorda Island. Another set of tracks found at Padre Island National
Seashore yesterday will be investigated further today. The nesting
turtles were seen at four of the sites and each had been tagged while
nesting at those sites previously. One year and two year remigration
intervals were recorded, meaning that this could be a big nesting year
(we have found relatively few one year remigration intervals in Texas
previously).

So far this year, 13 Kemp's ridley nests have been confirmed on the
Texas coast including (north to south in state): Matagorda Island 1
North Padre Island, north of Padre Island National Seashore 2 Padre
Island National Seashore 6 South Padre Island 3 Boca Chica Beach 1

2007-05-01T07:57:00.000-05:00

Shell-Schlumberger sponsors HISD sea turtle robotics competition

http://www.houstonisd.org/HISDConnectDS/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid=9cb988ca54e22110VgnVCM10000028147fa6RCRD&vgnextfmt=default

2007-04-30T08:00:00.000-05:00

SEVEN!

Yesterday(Sunday), a Kemp's ridley nest was found on South Padre Island. The
nesting turtle was not seen.

So far this year, 7 Kemp's ridley nests have been confirmed on the Texas
coast including: North Padre Island, north of Padre Island National
Seashore 2 Padre Island National Seashore 2 South Padre Island 2 Boca
Chica Beach 1

2007-04-29T10:33:00.001-05:00

Today, a Kemp's ridley nest was found at Padre Island National Seashore.
The nesting turtle was not seen.

So far this year, 6 Kemp's ridley nests have been confirmed on the Texas
coast including: North Padre Island, north of Padre Island National
Seashore 2 Padre Island National Seashore 2 South Padre Island 1 Boca
Chica Beach 1
******************************************

2007-04-27T21:19:00.000-05:00

Change to Sat Tracking Website

This past Monday, two immature Kemp's ridley sea turtles originally caught at a Galveston fishing pier were released with satellite transmitters as part of my dissertation under Dr. Landry at TAMUG. These are the first two of up to seven immature ridleys that I will be tracking this year (my final field season), and the third is scheduled to be released next Tuesday.

I have set up a new website for TAMUG STFERL Kemp's ridley tracking for 2007. Eventually, this will include not only turtles that are part of my research, but also those tracked by two other projects in the lab: ridleys caught in entanglement nets set in Texas Bays (Drs. Metz and Landry) and post-nesting female ridleys (M.S. student Christi Hughes and Dr. Landry).

This new website is:http://www.seaturtle.org/tracking/?project_id=208

The 17 TAMUG ridley tracks from 2004-6 (one still transmitting) will still be available at:http://www.seaturtle.org/tracking/?project_id=45

Green turtles from the TAMUG netting project will continue to be added to those from 2006 (one still transmitting):http://www.seaturtle.org/tracking/?project_id=157

Regards,Erin

2007-04-27T17:43:00.001-05:00

Texas Kemp's Nest Count Total = 5

Today, a Kemp's ridley nest was found on Boca Chica Beach. The nesting
turtle was not seen.

So far this year, 5 Kemp's ridley nests have been confirmed on the Texas
coast including: North Padre Island, north of Padre Island National
Seashore 2 Padre Island National Seashore 1 South Padre Island 1 Boca
Chica Beach 1

2007-04-27T11:13:00.000-05:00

Two more hook-and-line caught juvenile Kemp's ridleys came in earlier this week, and both have been cleared for release. One will be outfitted with a satellite transmitter the afternoon of Monday, 30 April 2007, and both will be released around 9:30-10:00am on 1 May 2007 at the east end of McFaddin National Wildlife Refuge.

Please let me know if you or any of your staff/volunteers plan to attend the release so we can be on the lookout for you. Again, we will be on a tight schedule so that we can conduct our 90-mile stranding survey after the release. (Contact June if you would like to attend this release, and I will advise Erin).

2007-04-27T11:11:00.000-05:00

Subject: More nests found

Today, three Kemp's ridley nests were found on North Padre Island. Two
were found just north of the Padre Island National Seashore north
boundary and one in Padre Island National Seashore. A false crawl was
also found on South Padre Island. The turtles were not seen at any of
these four locations.

So far this year, 4 Kemp's ridley nests have been confirmed on the Texas
coast including: North Padre Island, north of Padre Island National
Seashore 2 Padre Island National Seashore 1 South Padre Island 1

2007-04-26T12:41:00.000-05:00

OK, now it is getting really exciting! New Total = 4

Today, three Kemp's ridley nests were found on North Padre Island. Two were found just north of the Padre Island National Seashore northboundary and one in Padre Island National Seashore. A false crawl wasalso found on South Padre Island. The turtles were not seen at any ofthese four locations.So far this year, 4 Kemp's ridley nests have been confirmed on the Texascoast including: North Padre Island, north of Padre Island National Seashore 2 Padre Island National Seashore 1 South Padre Island 1

2007-04-25T07:37:00.000-05:00

FIRST TEXAS NEST FOUND IN SOUTH PADRE ISLAND!

From Donna Shaver, PhD, Padre Island National Seashore...

Congratulations to the nest detection team from South Padre Island! A
Kemp's ridley nest was found on South Padre Island today. The turtle
laid 84 eggs. She was examined for tags and was a wild turtle that was
documented for the first time. This is the first Kemp's ridley nest
confirmed on the Texas coast this year. Nesting has been on-going in
Mexico for a few weeks.

My comments: YIPEEEEE! Here they come!
Go Turtles!
June

2007-04-23T18:15:00.001-05:00

Sea Turtle Cam from Sea Turtle, Inc. rehab lab in S. Padre Island. Link.

2007-04-23T17:41:00.000-05:00

Interesting article on Carapace (Shell) damage to nesting female Kemp's ridleys in Rancho Nuevo, Mexico in 2006. Link

2007-04-23T17:26:00.000-05:00

Good news: Earth Day at Moody Gardens was fun! We actually had the priveledge of seeing a Kemp's ridley there. Chloe is an adult female who was injured and cannot be released into the wild. She is living happily at Moody Gardens as is "Atlas", a BIG loggerhead sea turtle...

More Good news... the two youngsters that were tagged with satellite trackers were finally released today. The past two Mondays have been too chilly...but we hope they will be online soon! Be the first to adopt these two by checking on www.seaturtle.org, and check TAMUG turtles page. Will post when they are transmitting live...

2007-04-23T17:19:00.000-05:00

April 23. Still waiting. Current Gulf water temperature is 70.1F. Average/normal tem for April is 71. May is 78. Right now, Padre is 77F. Let's see if nesting starts there soon...

2007-04-17T20:04:00.000-05:00

Friday, April 27, 2007 - 7 PM CT

WEBCAST ON SEATURTLES VIA UT Education Outreach

Voyage of the Turtle
by Dr. Carl Safina Blue Ocean Institute

What is the Lecture About?Sea turtles are majestic animals that have survived since the time of the dinosaurs. They are air-breathing reptiles with streamlined bodies and large flippers, are well adapted to life in the ocean. They inhabit tropical and subtropical ocean waters throughout the world. Although sea turtles live most of their lives in the ocean, adult females must return to beaches on land to lay their eggs. They often migrate long distances between foraging grounds and nesting beaches... Link

2007-04-15T20:32:00.000-05:00

Hold Everything... Too Cold to Release Turtles!

The two juvenile Kemp's ridley's slated to be released tomorrow will have to wait another week. Temperatures are predicted to be in the 40's, and thst is just too chilly for the sea turtles. Erin Seney, biologist in charge of their release, says we will try again for next Monday. Email me at june@savetexasseaturtles.org if you are interested in attending the release at Sea Rim State Park / Mc Faddin Beach.

2007-04-13T22:03:00.000-05:00

Migration Celebration this weekend!

Check the calendar page for the Migration Celebration at San Bernard Wildlife Refuge. This is an event held by the refuge to celebrate the Spring migration of all wildlife including bats, sea turtles, birds, reptiles and BEARS... HEART will have a booth at the event and do a Sea Turtle Presentation from 2-3pm with Carole Allen, director of HEART. This will count as a volunteer beach patrol orientation, so if you would like to get some patrol info, come on down!

2007-04-12T21:39:00.000-05:00

Nesting Count for Texas for April Thus Far = 0

Sea turtles will have a lot of catching up to do, because no nestings have been documented thus far in April. This is why experts denote the nesting season as "approximately" April through July!

Theories on the reasons range from cool water temperatures, to just a natural variation in the pattern. Either way, our sentinel event, nestings on Rancho Nuevo, MX are also late getting started. We will keep everyone posted.

Please contact us if you are interested in patrolling beaches or covering a "zone" such as your neighborhood (Pirate's Beach, Jamaica Beach, etc.). We will get you started and maybe you can spot the first Kemp's ridley nester!

2007-04-12T21:35:00.000-05:00

PINS Patroller Leaves Son, 14, and husband

The loyal patroller who lost her life in a tragic accident leaves a 14 year old son and husband behind. Friends have set up an education fund for the son, and anyone interested can make a contribution to:

Please make checks payable to: College America f.b.o. Erik MartinGiggleman
Mail checks to: Edward Jones 260 N. Main St. Grapevine, TX 76051

Thanks to all who contribute.

2007-04-12T21:32:00.000-05:00

Experts: Sea turtle nests might be at beach

Brazosport Facts (subscription) - Clute,TX,USANests for the endangered Kemp’s Ridley sea turtle — once found mainly along Gulf of Mexico shores far south of Brazoria County — have been located in the ...

2007-04-12T21:31:00.000-05:00

Seashore halts use of ATVs by staff
Corpus Christi Caller Times - Corpus Christi,TX,USASea turtle patrols and other park patrols on the beach will continue with staff using trucks and SUVs, she said. Giggleman's death appears to be an isolated ...

2007-04-12T21:30:00.000-05:00

Ranger, 46, died while on her beloved beach

Corpus Christi Caller Times - Corpus Christi,TX,USAMarina Giggleman, a sea turtle patroller biologist for Padre Island National Seashore, died Tuesday about 3:15 pm, after the all-terrain vehicle she was ...

2007-04-05T17:07:00.000-05:00

Two hook-and-line captured Kemp's ridley sea turtles were retrieved
in Galveston this week, and both have been cleared for release. I will
be attaching satellite transmitters (SEED-funded) to both turtles and we plan to release them from the east end of McFaddin NWR on Monday morning , April 16, 2007.

Any of you who want to attend the release are more than welcomebut be warned that it's a pretty short show, and we can't wait very long for folks to show up, as Shanna and I have a 90-mile stranding survey to complete afterwards. Contact June@savetexasseaturtles.org if you wish to attend the release.

I will also send around the link to the tracking sites once they go
live (usually about a week after release).

*Monday, 16 April*
7:00am - depart NOAA Fisheries Galveston with both ridleys
9:30/10:00am - release both ridleys at east end of McFaddin National
Wildlife Refuge (arrival depends on wait at ferry)

Erin E. Seney
Sea Turtle & Fisheries Ecology Research Lab,
Texas A&M University at Galveston &
NOAA/NMFS Sea Turtle Facility,
NOAA Fisheries Galveston

2007-04-04T08:24:00.000-05:00

The Texas A&M University at Galveston Sea Turtle & Fisheries Ecology Research Laboratory plans to satellite track up to 21 sea turtles during 2007, including Kemp's ridleys, loggerheads, and green turtles. One of these transmitters, earmarked for a ridley, is being purchased with HEART funds donated by Lucas Miller, singing zoologist!

2007-03-27T08:03:00.000-05:00

2007 Nesting season is off to a sad start.

A beachgoer in Sandhill Shores section of West Galveston found a dead sea turtle washed up on shore. They reported it to us via the website. NOAA has been notified. Though sad, this kind of reporting is just as critical for scientists, as they may be able to perform a "necropsy" (animal autopsy) in order to determine the cause of death, and other details about the turtle. This turtle was at or nearly at adult size.

Thanks to all who assist us with reporting sea turtle activity in Texas, and remember the hotline #... 1-866-TURTLE-5.

We can use more subdivision captains on West Isle.
-JR

2006-07-17T08:59:00.000-05:00

101
A Kemp's ridley nest was found at emergence on Boca Chica Beach yesterday.This was an unknown site, where tracks and the nesting female had beenmissed at egg laying. Visitors saw the hatchlings crawling across thebeach and entering the water. They attempted to protect the hatchlings from passing traffic. Although some were killed by vehicles and then taken by gulls, most successfully entered the water. Remaining nest contents(egg shells) were retrieved to gather additional information on this nest.

To date, 101 Kemp's ridley nests have been located on the Texas coastduring 2006, including 64 at Padre Island National Seashore, 12 on SouthPadre Island, nine on Galveston Island, seven on Boca Chica Beach, four onMatagorda Island, three on North Padre Island north of Padre IslandNational Seashore, one on Mustang Island, and one on Surfside.... from Donna Shaver, PINS.

2006-07-11T19:11:00.000-05:00

A HUGE BENCHMARK... 100 Kemp's ridley nests in Texas!

An emerged Kemp's ridley nest was found at Padre Island NationalSeashore this morning. The nest was located at a site discovered on May15 where the tracks made by the nesting turtle disappeared in the softsand and a nest could not be located. The site was marked and monitoredand today a depression was located in the sand, from which numeroushatchling tracks extended to the water. One dead hatchling was locatedin the nest. The dead hatchling and other remaining nest contents(eggshells, eggs) were retrieved to gather additional information onthis nest.To date, 100 Kemp's ridley nests have been located on the Texas coastduring 2006, including 64 at Padre Island National Seashore (PINS) , 12 on SouthPadre Island, nine on Galveston Island, six on Boca Chica Beach, four onMatagorda Island, three on North Padre Island north of Padre IslandNational Seashore, one on Mustang Island, and one on Surfside.... from Donna Shaver, PhD, PINS

2006-07-07T18:58:00.000-05:00

ONE MORE, come on Turtles!

An emerged Kemp's ridley nest was found at Padre Island NationalSeashore this morning. The nest was located at a site discovered on May14 where the tracks made by the nesting turtle disappeared in the softsand and a nest could not be located. The site was marked and monitored and today a depression was located in the sand, from which numerous hatchling tracks extended to the water. No dead hatchlings were located; the remaining nest contents (eggshells, eggs) were retrieved togather additional information on this nest.

To date, 99 Kemp's ridley nests have been located on the Texas coastduring 2006, including 63 at Padre Island National Seashore, 12 on SouthPadre Island, nine on Galveston Island, six on Boca Chica Beach, four onMatagorda Island, three on North Padre Island north of Padre IslandNational Seashore, one on Mustang Island, and one on Surfside.

Two loggerhead nests have been found on the Texas coast this year,including one at Padre Island National Seashore and one on South PadreIsland.

One green turtle nest has been found on the Texas coast this year at Padre Island National Seashore.... from Donna Shaver, PINS

2006-07-04T20:07:00.000-05:00

New Count = 98! PINS Nest Hatches Naturally...An emerged Kemp's ridley nest was found at Padre Island National Seashore this morning. The nest was located at a site discovered on May14 where the tracks made by the nesting turtle disappeared in the softsand and a nest could not be located. The site was marked and monitoredand today a depression was located in the sand, from which numeroushatchling tracks extended to the water. Three dead hatchlings werelocated and they and the remaining nest contents have been retrieved togather additional information on this nest.... from Donna Shaver, PINS.

2006-06-18T09:59:00.000-05:00

It's Hit or Miss with Hatchling Releases...Road Trip Postponed

We were lucky enough to get this memo from Donna Shaver of PINS, regarding the possibility for hatchling releases on Caravan day... we are now on our own, as some of us may bow out, but we will try to schedule another road trip before the release season ends in September...

"I wish that you all were here for this weekend through Monday. We have nine clutches hatching and will likely have releases tomorrow and the next day. Another very good time will be about June 26-29, when 15 clutches will be ready for release. The other two best windows are June 29-July 2 and July 4-7. I am a bit worried about the time that you have selected for your visit since there are not nearly as many clutches scheduled to hatch and be released then, so if they do not adhere to the
schedule or frenzy in the night, there is much less chance that there will be something for a public release. I hope that it works out for you, but I wanted to let you know that it is not assured given the lower number of clutches."...

2006-06-17T05:59:00.000-05:00

During the last two days, 10 Kemp's ridley were found on the Texas coast, including four at Padre Island National Seashore, two on SouthPadre Island, two on Boca Chica Beach, one on Mustang Island, and one on Matagorda Island. The nesting turtles were only seen at three of thesites and were all wild turtles.

To date, 94 Kemp's ridley nests have been located on the Texas coast during 2006, including 60 at Padre Island National Seashore, 11 on SouthPadre Island, nine on Galveston Island, six on Boca Chica Beach, four on Matagorda Island, two on North Padre Island north of Padre Island National Seashore, one on Mustang Island, and one on Surfside.... from Donna Shaver, PINS

2006-06-14T19:43:00.000-05:00

Two Kemp's ridley nests were found on the Texas coast today. The nesting turtle found on Galveston Island was not seen by biologists, but the person that reported the turtle noted that it had a transmitter. The nesting turtle was not seen at the nest found on Padre Island National Seashore...from Donna Shaver, Padre Island National Seashore (PINS).

There was a nest this morning in Bermuda Beach at about 5 am. Some visitors renting a house saw the turtle just as she was entering back into the water and contacted Bill Dailey at Texas A&M. Shanna Kethan of NOAA Fisheries and Bill Dailey (TAMUG) responded to the call and excavated 116 eggs. The turtle was not seen by biologists, but the person who saw the turtle noted that she had a satellite transmitter on her carapace. This is the 9th nest for Galveston Island this year... from Shanna Kethan, NOAA Fisheries.

To date, 83 Kemp's ridley nests have been located on the Texas coastduring 2006, including 56 at Padre Island National Seashore, nine onGalveston Island, eight on South Padre Island, four on Boca Chica Beach,three on Matagorda Island, two on North Padre Island north of Padre Island National Seashore, and one on Surfside...

Representation of Satellite Turtle Re-entering Surf... funny thing to see on vacation!

2006-06-12T22:27:00.000-05:00

Five Kemp's ridley nests were found on the Texas coast yesterday, including four at Padre Island National Seashore and one on South PadreIsland. The nesting turtles were seen at four of the sites and werewild turtles. To date, 81 Kemp's ridley nests have been located on the Texas coast during 2006, including 55 at Padre Island National Seashore, eight on Galveston Island, eight on South Padre Island, four on Boca Chica Beach,three on Matagorda Island, two on North Padre Island north of PadreIsland National Seashore, and one on Surfside.... From Dr. Donna Shaver, Padre Island National Seashore.

2006-06-01T07:01:00.000-05:00

From Dr. Donna Shaver, PINS...
Two Kemp's ridley nests were found at Padre Island National Seashoretoday. The nesting turtles were not seen.To date, 76 Kemp's ridley nests have been located on the Texas coastduring 2006, including 51 at Padre Island National Seashore, eight onGalveston Island, seven on South Padre Island, four on Boca Chica Beach,three on Matagorda Island, two on North Padre Island north of PadreIsland National Seashore, and one on Surfside.

2006-05-28T08:00:00.000-05:00

Number 9!
from Shanna Kethan, NOAA Biologist...
We have had one nest this morning so far on Galveston Island. The turtle nested at 51st and Seawall, right in front of the San Luis Hotel. We did not see the turtle, but it was determined to be a ridley from descriptions. The turtle was found by the Galveston Parks Board beach cleanup crew. Ninety seven eggs were excavated.

2006-05-27T21:38:00.000-05:00

Two more nests today!!!!! The first was at 9 am in Miramar Beach (on the far west end of Galveston Island). We did not see the turtle, but pictures will be sent. It was definitely a ridley. Eighty one eggs were excavated.

The second nest was at 10:30 am approximately 1.5 miles south of San Luis Pass in Brazoria County. The nest was found by county employees, and they held on to the turtle until Erin and myself could get there. The turtle has been brought back to lab to receive flipper tags, a PIT tag, and a satellite transmitter. Her track will be up on seaturtle.org in about a week, and her name is Sara. Ninety nine eggs were excavated.... From Shanna Kethan, NOAA Biologist

2006-05-27T21:34:00.000-05:00

From Dr. Donna Shaver, at Padre Island National Seashore...
Three Kemp's ridley nest were found on the Texas coast on 27 May. One was found at Padre Island National Seashore and two on Galveston Island.The nesting turtle was only seen at one site, on Galveston Island, andwas a wild turtle.To date, 72 Kemp's idley nests have been located on the Texas coastduring 2006, including 49 at Padre Island National Seashore, eight nGalveston Island, seven on South Padre Island, four on Boca Chica Beach,three on Matagorda Island, and one on North Padre Island north of PadreIsland National Seashore....

2006-05-26T14:41:00.000-05:00

From Shanna Kethan, NOAA Biologist...
There was another nest at noon today in Bermuda Beach. The turtle was not seen by NOAA staff, but a video was taken of the turtle nesting. This turtle was "Missy" who had previously nested at Pocket Park #3(about 1/2 mile away) on 6 May. Ninety four eggs were excavated and will be transported to PINS. (This makes #6 for Galveston)!

2006-05-23T19:21:00.000-05:00

From Shanna Kethan, NOAA Biologist:
There was another nest this morning at Pirate's Beach at about 7 am. A member of the Parks Board saw the tracks and called them in. The turtle was not seen. One hundred eighteen eggs were excavated and will be brought to Padre Island National Seashore for incubation. This is the fifth nest on Galveston Island of 2006.

2006-05-23T19:15:00.000-05:00

Previously missed by this blog... May 15, 2006
Five Kemp's ridley nests were found on the Texas coast today. All five were located at Padre Island National Seashore. The nesting turtles were examined at four of the five sites; two were wild turtles and two wereheadstarts (1991 and 1992 year classes). One other set of Kemp's ridley tracks were also found at Padre IslandNational Seashore, but the tracks ended in the soft sand. There was littlehope of locating a nest, but extensive searches were conducted. All such sites will be monitored for signs of predation during the next few days and for signs of emergence during the projected hatching dates.

To date, 59 Kemp's ridley nests have been located on the Texas coast during 2006, including 44 at Padre Island National Seashore, six on South PadreIsland, three on Boca Chica Beach, three on Galveston Island, and three onMatagorda Island.One loggerhead nest has been found on the Texas coast this year, at PadreIsland National Seashore. ..

2006-05-23T06:28:00.000-05:00

May 19, 2006, from Donna Shaver (PINS)
More Nests Found...Six Kemp's ridley nest were found on the Texas coast today. Four werefound on Padre Island National Seashore, one on North Padre Island northof Padre Island National Seashore, and one on South Padre Island. The nesting turtles were seen at four of the sites; three were wild turtlesand one was a headstarted turtle from the 1988 yearclass.To date, 66 Kemp's ridley nests have been located on the Texas coastduring 2006, including 48 at Padre Island National Seashore, seven onSouth Padre Island, four on Boca Chica Beach, three on Galveston Island,three on Matagorda Island, and one on North Padre Island north of PadreIsland National Seashore.

2006-05-22T09:25:00.000-05:00

The fourth nest of 2006 on Galveston Island occurred at 8:00 am on May 20, 2006 at 8 mile road about two miles west of the end of the seawall. The nesting turtle was seen just as it was entering back into the surf, so it was not seen by biologists. From the description it was determined to be a Kemp's ridley. The nest was located using the tracks, and 71 eggs were excavated and taken to Padre Island National Seashore for incubation.--- from Shanna Kehan

2006-05-16T20:19:00.000-05:00

RECORD SURPASSED! Somehow we missed the last 25 nests, but the new total is 54, the most ever in Texas and we have 2 months left in the season! See Chronicle article below..Go Turtles!

Kemp's ridleys are taking to Texas
Houston Chronicle - United StatesGALVESTON - Endangered Kemp's ridley sea turtles set a Texas-coast nesting record of 54 Sunday, beating last year's record of 51 known nests, experts said. ...

2006-05-07T09:54:00.000-05:00

We had 2 Kemp's ridleys nesting at the same time on the West end of Galveston Island between 3 and 4 pm Saturday. Both were headstarted turtles, one nesting at Pirates Beach and the other at Bermuda Beach. Both were just a couple yards from beach access points. Thanks to all those who identified the turtles, called them in, helped restrain and photograph the turtles.

Erin Seney, Shanna Kethan and Ben Higgins from NOAA Fisheries Galveston responded on the beach and they were met back at the Lab by Dr. Joe Flanagan from the Houston Zoo, who performed the ultrasound on "Missy"

Pirates Beach
turtle name: "Missy"
1989 headstart, living tag on RC4
no PIT tag found, tagged 45296F7C68 in RFF
flipper tag scar RFF
new flipper tags applied RRV315 lFF, RRV316 LRF
61.5 cm SCL notch to tip
32.0 kg
87 eggs excavated at 3:30 pm
ultrasound revealed 2 cm folicles, so she will nest at least once more this year
nested at base of dune
eggs will be sent to PINS 5/7/2006 for incubating and release
satellite tag will be applied 5/7/2006
release is set for 5/7/2006
Look for her satellite track on 5/10/2006 at www.seaturtle.org

Bermuda Beach
turtle name "Kahla"
1991 headstart, living tag LC2
PIT tag 7F7D3D5660, LFF (axial)
Flipper tag scar RFF
new flipper tags applied RRV255 LFF, RRV256LRF
62.1 cm SCL notch to tip
weight not taken
119 eggs excavated at 4:30 pm
eggs will be sent to PINS 5/7/2006 for incubating and release
turtle was released after tagging and measuring
ultrasound revealed 2 cm folicles, so she will nest at least once more this year
turtle crawled up and over street into residential area and yards of beach houses. she was picked up and moved back to the beach where she nested.

I hope to have photos posted on a website in the next couple days.--from Ben Higgins, NOAA Fisheries

2006-05-06T17:55:00.000-05:00

One loggerhead nest was found on the Texas coast today, at Padre Island National Seashore. This is the first loggerhead nest found on the Texas coast this year. Typically, from 1-5 loggerhead nests are found on the Texas coast each year.

To date, 28 Kemp's ridley nests have been located on the Texas coast during 2006, including 22 at Padre Island National Seashore, two on South Padre Island, two on Boca Chica Beach, one on Matagorda Island, and one on Galveston Island.--- from Dr. Donna Shaver, PINS

2006-05-04T11:55:00.000-05:00

Today we found two Kemp's ridley nests at Padre Island National Seashore and my staff are investigating another report. To date, 27 Kemp's ridley nests have been found on the Texas coast. Last year, a record 51 nests were found. During the last week, we have found more than 50% of what was found during all of last year! Again, thank you for your help with these signs.-- From Donna Shaver, May 4, 2006