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Folly Beach Turtle Watch
P.O. Box 1049
Folly Beach, SC 29439
e-mail crew@follyturtles.com

Turtle Tracks on Folly Beach 1999
Text version for printable field guide.
(Also available: table with photos and a map.)

Nest	Date	Eggs	Location	Expected Hatch Date	% Hatched
1	May 17	in situ	1629-E	July 12	65% 95/146
What a perfect nest to start the 1999 nesting season. A great site; no relocation necessary. Many thanks to the McKevlins for spotting the tracks and reporting them to Public Safety. Nest #1 hatched on Thursday, July 16th at 11:30 p.m.
2	May 30	133	1569-E	July 25	86% 133/115
A long 1:30 a.m. crawl produced Nest #2 with 133 eggs. It was laid in an area prone to seawater inundation, so was relocated to a higher, safer site in a dune nearby. Special thanks to Bob and the wonderful families from Indiana who reported the crawl to Public Safety by 6:30 a.m. Nest #2 hatched on night 62: Thursday, July 31st after 12:30 a.m.
3	June 1	143	1685-E	July 27	69% 140/96
Nest #3 may have been the 2d crawl of the night for the female who laid it. An earlier "false crawl" was ten houses to the west. Many thanks to Sunny for her helpful support, assistance, & cups of cool water! Nest #3 hatched on night 60: Friday, July 31st after 9 p.m.
4	June 1	132	600-E	July 27	98% 132/129
This female made three crawls in the County Park area before laying Nest #4. The highly erosion-prone west beach does not provide stable nesting sites. The eggs were relocated to a safer location near 6th St. East. Nest #4 hatched on night 59: Thursday, July 30th after 9 p.m.
False crawl	June 2	-	1731-E	-	-
5	June 3	132	1641-E	July 30	99% 132/131
A high tide nester -- all tracks were above the wrack line, but still in a flood zone. Nest #5 was moved into nearby dune. There's great joy in having Turtle Crew folks gather at a site! Many thanks to Donna, Hale, Roger and Carole. Nest #5 hatched on day 60: Tuesday, August 3d at 7 a.m. That's not a typo -- it really hatched at 7 in the morning. Matthew McGee was the first to spot tiny turtles crawling toward the ocean. A surf fisherman turned around to see an army of 70+ hatchlings trooping toward him. EVERY hatchling that emerged headed straight toward the sunshine on the water. What a fun way to start the day!
False crawl	June 4	-	CG Station (East)	-	-
False crawl	June 4	-	Co. Park (West)	-	-
6	June 6	109	605-E	August 3	85% 109/93
Another high tide nest -- all but a few trackmarks were above the wrack line, but still in a flood zone. Nest #6 was moved into nearby dune. Lola did a great job! Neighbor Jack will monitor the nest and divert the ghost crabs! Nest #6 hatched on night 57: Tuesday, August 3d at 10 p.m. and on night 58: Wednesday, August 4th at midnight.
False crawl	June 8	-	Co. Park (West)	-	-
7	June 13	in situ	507-E	August 10	96% 121/116
Nest #7 -- a new moon high tide nest in a low dune -- eggs confirmed; in situ. Nest #7 hatched on night 60: Thursday, August 12 and the following 3 nights.
Probable false crawl	June 15	-	1673-E	-	-
8	June 15	in situ	1661-E	August 12	85% 139/118
All nesting signs were present, but eggs were not confirmed. Turtle came ashore on the new moon high tide and chose a great site above the wrack for Nest #8. Nest #8 finally revealed itself by hatching on night 62, Monday, August 16.
9	June 15	in situ	907/909-W	August 12	76% 121/92
A very special WEST nest. An exceptional turtle climbed the escarpment and laid a confirmed nest in the dune. Many thanks to Connie for alerting Public Safety, and especially to John who will be the guardian of Nest #9. Great job finding those eggs, Donna! Nest #9 hatched on night 58: Thursday, August 12 and the following 2 nights.
False crawl	June 16	-	Co. Park (West)	-	-
10	June 16	in situ	1573-E	August 13	74% 125/93
Nest #10 began hatching on night 55: Tuesday, August 10th at 9:30/10 p.m. 40 hatchlings emerged and went to the ocean; more hatched over the next two nights.
False crawl	June 19	-	Co. Park (West)	-	-
False crawl	June 22	-	Co. Park (West)	-	-
False crawl	June 22	-	660-W	-	-
False crawl	June 23	-	740-W	-	-
11	June 23	in situ	Co. Park (West)	August 20
Whata story! This female was still on the beach around 7 a.m. and was escorted back to the ocean by Turtle Crew members.
12	June 24	119	400-W	August 21
Another WEST nest laid in flat sand near the 4th Street walkover. Nest #12 was relocated to a higher site in the dune to the left of the walkover.
13	June 20	in situ	1200-E	August 17	92% 121/111
Status changed from false crawl to Nest #13. It's located just to the right of the 12th Street walkover. Many thanks to Charlotte for her assistance in finding the eggs and for the continuing education of the Turtle Crew. Nest #13 hatched at 7:15 a.m., 9 p.m., and again later on day 56: Sunday, August 15. New hatchling tracks were also seen on Tuesday morning.
14	June 26	in situ	1119-E	August 23	83% 113/94
Nest #14 hatched on night 51: Monday, August 16.
15	June 26	in situ	1121-E	August 23
A pretty amazing PAIR of nests. The female that laid Nest #14 crawled under a catamaran sailboat to reach her choice nesting site. About two hours later, Nest #15 was laid only 20 feet away in the same dune line. Thanks to the Colorado couple who have been tracking turtles all week and called Public Safety. Whata pay-off for them, other family visitors from Chicago, Texas, Minnesota, and the Turtle Crew, including Miss Elizabeth. Nest #15 hatched during night 59: Tuesday, August 24. Inventory results will be posted soon.
16	June 27	107	1599-E	August 24	99% 107/106
Nest #16 was laid on flat beach at the edge of the wrack. Because of the threat of water inundation, the eggs were moved into the dune nearby. Our thanks to Diane for the call and the coffee! Nest #16 hatched during night 53: Thursday, August 19.
17	June 27	132	915-E	August 24	95% 132/125
Our thanks to the Commander for calling Public Safety to make sure that Nest #17 was inspected. Its low position was a water inundation concern, so it was moved about ten feet into morning glory dune. Ohio Visitors, this is your nest! Nest #17 hatched during night 56: Sunday, August 22.
18	June 24	in situ	CGS-East	August 21
This crawl was reported to the Crew several days after the initial sighting. The suspected nest area has been probed; eggs unconfirmed. This nest will be watched closely for changes as its hatch date approaches.
False crawl	June 28	-	1677-E	-	-
19	June 28	in situ	1546-E	August 25	97% 134/130
An On-the-Edge nest if there ever was one! Nest #19 was laid above the wrack in the Washout (the surfer's favorite area). Nest #19 began hatching on night 54: Saturday, August 21. More activity expected.
20	June 28	in situ	913-E	August 25	94% 108/101
Nest #20 was laid in the dune right next door to Nest #17. Hatch time will be quite an event with these two nests laid just one day apart. Nest #20 hatched during night 55: Sunday, August 22.
False crawl?	June 28	unconfirmed	307-W	August 25
Thanks to Hazel Ann for contacting the Crew about this turtle's activity. Because the presence of eggs could not be confirmed, we're considering it a false crawl, but, with Hazel Ann's help, will closely monitor this site for the 45-60 day hatch cycle.
21	June 29	123	1207-E	August 26
Rain and blown sand just about covered the tracks leading to Nest #21. A terrific family of turtle watchers at 1211-E were really on the ball. They saw what was left of the tracks and notified Public Safety before 7 a.m. Without their action, all signs of tracks and the nesting site would have been completely erased by the 8 o'clock rain. The nest had been laid in the wrack line, in front of a dune escarpment. Because it was a high risk location, the 123 eggs from this nest were relocated to a higher site in the stable dune at 1207-E. Nest #21 hatched on an unknown date before August 31. Inventory results will be posted soon.
22	June 29	in situ	CGS-E	August 26
False crawl	June 30	-	CGS-E	-	-
False crawl	June 30	-	CGS-E	-	-
False crawl	June 30	-	1107-E	-	-
23	July 1	124	1595-E	August 28	97% 124/120
An unusual track mark (( double curves instead of the characteristic "V" shapes, led to Nest #23 in a safe dune. Eggs were confirmed and counted due to the unusual crawl pattern. Loggerhead? Kemp's? Hatching will be very closely monitored. Nest #23 began hatching on night 51: Saturday, August 21.
False crawl	July 1	-	1701-E	-	-
The same unusual track marks were seen in this crawl. Speculation: same turtle seeking nest site before laying at 1595-E.
False crawl	July 1	-	1319-E	-	-
False crawl	July 1	-	1321-E	-	-
Tracks of these two crawls had been blurred by rain and blowing sand, but it appeared that two turtles may have crawled up to and along flat sand in front of the rocks that form a "dune" line in this area. The resulting tracks looked like intertwined arches (McDonald's). Also could have been one turtle wandering with her tracks crossing each other. No clear nesting sites were seen though many possibilities were probed.
False crawl	July 1	-	1215-E	-	-
Clear tracks in and out, and a compressed reed pathway along the foot of a dune escarpment presented another puzzling crawl. No defined nest pit and no egg chamber located after many attempts to find it. A visitor from James Island saw the turtle at the foot of a walkover at 1 a.m. When he checked back 10 minutes later, she was on her way to the ocean. Evidence leans toward "in search of," but not nesting.
24	July 2	in situ	503-E	August 29
A well-placed nest -- in the dune, just inches away from where 1998's last nest (#40) was laid, and a couple of houses away from this year's Nest #7. Nest #24 hatched on an unknown date before August 31. Inventory results will be posted soon.
False crawl	July 2	-	415-W	-	-
25	July 1	in situ	807-W	August 28
This nest was reported the day after it was laid. Fortunately, it was located in a good spot. Eggs confirmed; nest marked. Nest #25 hatched on an unknown date before August 31. Inventory results will be posted soon.
False crawl	July 3	-	415-W	-	-
False crawl	July 3	-	800-W	-	-
False crawl	July 3	-	Co. Park-W	-	-
26	July 4	117	815-W	August 31
An 11:30 p.m. phone call from Public Safety brought the Crew to the beach in time to see a female lay Nest #26 and return to the ocean on the high tide. Seawater threatened this nest site, so the eggs were moved to a higher site in the nearby dune. Nest #26 hatched during night 48: Saturday, August 21. Inventory results will be posted soon.
False crawl	July 4	-	7-W	-	-
False crawl	July 4	-	7-W	-	-
Two false crawls -- one to the left and one to the right of the 7th Street walkover.
27	July 4	100	701-W	August 31
Thanks to Skyler and his family's call to Public Safety, 100 loggerhead eggs were found and relocated to a safe dune site near the original nest. A holiday crowd of about 25 people witnessed the relocation and learned a lot about sea turtle nesting habits. One visitor's comment, "This is better than the Discovery Channel," says it all! Nest #27 hatched on an unknown date before August 31. Inventory results will be posted soon.
False crawl	July 8	-	Past CGS-E	-	-
False crawl	July 11	-	1615-E	-	-
28	July 11	132	1609-E	September 7
This female came in on the new moon high tide to lay Nest #28. Rain dissolved tracks and a vague impression of her body pit were the only clues to where the eggs might be, but Carole found them quickly and enabled the safe relocation of 132 eggs to a less tide endangered dune line 12 feet away. Robert, William, their Mom and Grandmom helped the Crew mark this nest and examine a second set of tracks four houses to the east. No nest was found there. Perhaps it was an earlier site-seeking crawl by the same turtle. Many thanks to Robert for helping with the sign and stakes, and for continuing to be guardian of Nest #28, a.k.a. "Robert's Nest." Nest #28 hatched on night 51: Tuesday, August 31. Inventory results will be posted soon.
29	July 11	87	1727-E	September 7
The tracks to Nest #29 led right smack into a dune escarpment (a steep, flat dune wall that's the result of the sand being sheared off by erosion). It was as far as the turtle could go to reach a safe nesting site. Unfortunately, it wasn't far enough to avoid frequent high tide soakings, so the 87 eggs from this nest were relocated into a stable dune nearby. Nest #29 hatched on night 53: Thursday, September 2. Inventory results will be posted soon.
30	July 12	144	1583-E	September 8
A huge, double-wide body pit gave the Crew a challenging morning, but the 144 were found and moved into the stable dune next door.
31	July 13	in situ	1563-E	September 9
This amazing turtle crawled along one side of a beached catamaran to get to a choice spot in the top of a dune. After nesting, she made her way between the sailboat and a sand fence, then crawled back to the ocean along the other side of the catamaran! Her nest is protected where she left it. Nest #31 hatched on day 50: Wednesday, September 1 at 9 a.m. Inventory results will be posted soon.
32	July 13	110	Co.Park-W	September 9
Folly Beach County Park near the concession stand is home to Nest #32. The eggs were moved from the base of an eroded dune, an area that gets constant high tide coverage, to a safer spot nearby. This nest will get lots of care and attention from County Park employees and visitors. Thanks very much to Channel 4 News for covering the turtles' story and helping to alert people to the importance of Lights Out! during nesting season. Nest #32 hatched on night 51: Thursday, September 2. Inventory results will be posted soon.
33	July 14	in situ	CGS-E	September 10
The Advanced Eco-Explorers from Charlotte, NC learned alot from Paula and this nest in the old Coast Guard Station area across from the lighthouse. Nest #33 hatched on night 48: Tuesday, August 31. Inventory results will be posted soon.
34	July 15	125	305-E	September 11
The unusual )) tracks indicated that this is probably the same turtle that laid Nest #23 fourteen days ago. Other matching indicators were the small size of the body pit and the shallow egg chamber. The eggs were counted then returned to the original nest. It's pretty neat to recognize a repeat nester! Her tracks are her "tag." Nest #34 hatched on night 47: Tuesday, August 31. Inventory results will be posted soon.
35	July 15	in situ	CGS-E	September 11
Nest #35 was found around the bend past the lighthouse adjacent to one of the orange "Loggerhead Turtle Nesting Area" signs that had been left to mark a previous suspected nest site. She no doubt followed the "sign" to a good nesting site!
False crawl	July 15	-	CGS-E	-	-
False crawl?	July 16	-	Co.Park-W	-	-
Tracks led from the ocean, across the parking lot at County Park, across the road, and toward the marsh. A nest-like site was found and marked, but presence of eggs was not confirmed.
36	July 17	97	1715-E	September 13
Loggerheads have friends in Pennsylvania! Many thanks to the Grazianos, visiting from Canonsburg, PA, for calling FB Public Safety about tracks and a nest at the foot of their walkway to the beach. 97 eggs were safely relocated into the dune nearby.
False crawl?	July 17	-	1725-E	-	-
About five houses east of Nest #36 was a very similar crawl and what appeared to be a possible nest site, but no eggs were found. This area was marked so that it could be rechecked and monitored near hatching time.
False crawl	July 18	-	Co.Park-W	-	-
37	July 19	135	715-W	September 15
An amazed audience watching the laying of Nest #37 near 803-W around 10:45 p.m. It's a humbling and awesome experience to witness these solitary and persevering creatures. The nest was sited too low to avoid tide damage, so at 6 a.m. on the 20th, the Crew relocated the 135 eggs to a dune near 715-W.
38	July 21	in situ	CGS-E	September 17
A Coast Guard Station crawl that had all the signs of a nest site. The egg chamber wasn't located, but the nest indications were so strong that the site was staked and given #38.
39	July 22	126	1559-E	September 18
There's nothing quite like walking along the beach and seeing a sea turtle crawling back to the ocean. That was the experience aound 6 this morning near the pink house on the edge of the Washout. A Crew member watched her return to the water and saw that great head return to the surface again and again to breathe as she swam out to sea. Her nest was on flat sand in front of the rocks at the pink house. To avoid damage by the high tides, the eggs were moved into the dune line near the walkover. It was GREAT for the Crew to share this nest with Walter!
40	July 22	in situ	901-E	September 18
The Huban family is mighty excited about having Nest #40 to watch! The eggs are well-hidden (unconfirmed), but all signs of nesting were there. The site has been marked and will be closely monitored near hatch-time.
41	July 23	68	CGS-E	September 19
With help from Shannon and Claire, Paula was able to relocate another nest laid near first groin at the old Coast Guard Station to a safer site in the dune. This is A RECORD NUMBER 41st NEST for Folly!
42	July 24	in situ	1593-E	September 20
Safely sited in the dune, Nest #42 is being guarded by Sophie and Diane. Exact location of egg chamber is unconfirmed, so a larger than usual area was staked and taped.
43	July 25	112	1553-E	September 21
Who would have believed the Washout would be attractive to nesting loggerheads? Near the far end of this rocky area, the growth of low dunes and supporting vegetation have become choice nest sites for three nesting turtles. Folks from Columbia, Pennsylvania, and Iowan Brian soon to be stationed in NY, joined the Crew in relocating 112 eggs to a higher spot in this developing dune line.
44	July 25	in situ	1001-E	September 21
Midnight on a quiet, dark beach. The sound of waves and the scrape, flap, flap of a loggerhead making her way back to the ocean. Four people shared that experience with an incredible nesting female who had begun and abandoned one egg chamber, then nested near the foot of the 10th Street walkover, about 5 yards to the right of her first dig. She hid the new chamber well! Presence of eggs was unconfirmed, but, because of other indicators, the nest site was marked and numbered #44. Many thanks to the couple who called the Public Safety dispatcher to alert the Crew that this sea turtle was on the beach. It was quite a night.
45	July 25	114	715-W	September 21
Three nests in one morning! Jim spotted this crawl and nest as he biked Folly's west side. Laid on flat beach at the bottom of a dune escarpment meant a well-watered nest. To prevent damage, the 114 eggs were relocated high into a sloping dune nearby, right "next door" to Nest #37.
46	July 27	in situ	1685-E	September 23
Great placement! Eggs were confirmed; Nest #46 has been marked where it was laid -- very close to Nest #3's relocation site.
47	July 28	104	1005-W	September 24
This turtle manuvered between two sections of sand fencing, a dune escarpment, and a walkover to select her nest site. She did a great job considering her choices, but the resulting nest was on flat beach and subject to repeat flooding by high tides. The clutch was moved into a dune nearby. Thank you, Jim, for walking the West side!
48	July 28	in situ	CGS-E	September 24
Circling tracks and a probable nest site in the wrack were inspected by the Crew late in the afternoon. Though presence of eggs was unconfirmed, indicators were strong enough to mark and number the site.
49	July 29	in situ	1101-E	September 25
Midnight on a quiet, dark beach ... again (see #44). A couple walking their dog, preparing for a moonlight swim. A sea turtle emerging from the surf. A sea turtle in search of a nesting site, crawling directly toward the 11th Street East walkover. What a sight. Thanks to some quick action on Hale's part, porch lights were extinguished and quiet prevailed as this loggerhead sought the best spot for her eggs. She sampled two "pull-off" areas (one on each side of the walkover's path to the beach), throwing sand and breaking vegetation. But did she nest? She spent about 30 minutes in each pull-off, but the presence of eggs in either was unconfirmed. Her crawl and exploration kept her on the beach for 2 1/2 hours. She was joined in her return to the ocean by three respectful, quiet humans and two dolphin. Many thanks to everyone who was there, especially Hale, Jim, and Michael. (And did we mention that these were )) curved tracks? See #23 and #34 above. These were the same. Her front flippers looked ok to a novice observer from a 5' distance.)
50	July 29	139	907-E	September 25
What an efficient turtle -- crawled in, laid a nest in a dry (but flat) location, crawled out. Her 139 eggs were moved to safer spot in the dune about 15 feet away. Nest #we-can-hardly-believe-it-50! joins about six others along this same stretch of beach. Many thanks to Anna for leading the Crew toward Nest #50!
51	July 29	in situ	CGS-E	September 25
Thank you, PK, for pointing Carole to Nest #51. It was laid well behind the wrack line on a solid sand spit in an otherwise unstable area. Eggs confirmed!
False crawl	July 30	-	Washout near 1514-E	-	-
False crawl	July 30	-	1201-E	-	-
52	July 30	in situ	1001-E	September 26
We think (& some of us fervently BELIEVE) that "Nests" #23, 34, and 49 also belong to this loggerhead. The very distinctive )) tracks and the 14-day intervals between nestings are strong indicators. The two false crawls noted above were found just a few blocks to the east. They also had the )) track marks. Eggs have been confirmed at this #52 location; now suspect #49 was a false crawl. The full story may reveal itself at hatching time.
53	July 31	91	1661-E	September 27
"Loggerhead stuck under Isuzu." That was the dispatcher's call to Carole at 5:30 a.m. If it weren't for Public Safety officers Van, Jim, and David, this turtle may never have made it back to the ocean. They were able to pull her from underneath the Isuzu, load her in the back of a pickup, unload her in the parking lot at 1673 near the dune, then carry and boost her through the brushy vegetation, over the high dune and down the beach to the water. Before her quarter mile walk around Folly, she laid a nest of 91 eggs. They were moved to high ground to avoid the tide. We're very grateful to Van, Jim, and David for coming to the rescue!
54	July 31	114	301-W	September 27
Laid where the Atlantic House once stood, the eggs from this nest were moved to the dune where Hazel Ann will keep them safe.
55	August 4	in situ	1593-E	October 1
Turtle nested almost on top of an existing nest area (see #42 above). Paula and a great group of Eco-Explorers from Charlotte, NC confirmed the presence of eggs and left them in situ.
56	August 5	in situ	1703-E	October 2
A truly beautiful, safe site. Eggs confirmed at sunrise.
57	August 6	in situ	1595-E	October 3
A very popular spot. Nest #57 was laid right next to #23. One egg was found on top of the sand, but the nest had not been disturbed in any way. The clutch location was found quickly and the unburied egg has joined its siblings.
58	August 11	105	905-W	October 8
J.J., visiting from Idaho, was on the beach before dawn to photograph the sunrise when he was attracted by another spectacular sight -- a sea turtle flipping sand to cover her nest. We'll post his very special photos of her return to the ocean. Donna moved the eggs to a safer site beyond the dune escarpment. Whata way to start the day!
False crawl	August 13	-	1st block of washout-E	-	-
Our )) track-making turtle came back (see nests #23, 34, 49, 52) for a look around the rocks at the washout. She made a long, low tide crawl in, looped behind a big boulder, then crawled back to her in-track and crawled straight out to the ocean again. No nest. Maybe tomorrow.
59		in situ	CGS-East	August 11
A surprise nest hatched out in the middle of the movie set at the northeast end of Folly across from the lighthouse. Hatching began on August 11th and continued over the next two nights.

1998 Tracks & Nests

Strandings 1999

Date Location Species Size Condition

May 28 1400 E. - Washout Loggerhead 22" Missing head & left front flipper

June 9 1631 E. Leatherback Badly decomposed

June 10 CG Station Loggerhead 22" Badly decomposed

June 11 1659 E. Loggerhead 33" Missing left front flipper; disintegrated carapace

June 12 1569 E. Probable loggerhead In pieces; unable to measure

July 14 Pier Sub-adult loggerhead 20" Beautiful except for hooks in its neck.

July 17 CGS-E Probable loggerhead Badly decomposed; unable to measure

July 18 1500-E Loggerhead

August 7 207-E Loggerhead 23" Intact, but not fresh