Kemp's Ridley     San Bernard Turtle Watch   by Jan Edwards   with contributions by: Keith Ramos and Mark Hazelrigg   In the spring and early summer, the San Bernard’s siren song calls a lot of creatures home. We’ve talked about birds and fish migrations in previous posts, but we have never touched on the subject of Sea Turtles. This is the time of year that the minds of the 5 species of sea turtles who can be found in the Gulf of Mexico (and they are all either endangered or threatened) turn to love. Settling down and starting a family. Turtle nesting season lasts from April until mid- July each year – enough time to find just the perfect beach in which to deposit their eggs.   The Kemps Ridley sea turtle is the smallest and most rare of the turtles you may see while you are beachcombing or fishing at the end of San Bernard River. They are the turtle you are most likely to see come ashore during the day to nest. They especially like to come ashore on windy days when the surf is rough.   A turtle dragging herself out of the surf onto the beach will be slow and clumsy on shore. You can observe the turtle, but PLEASE, do so at a distance – quietly.  If you disturb her when she is coming ashore to find her nesting place, mama turtle might turn around and go back in the water. If she is really ready to lay her eggs, she might just drop them in the water, and the eggs will be destroyed – NO BABY TURTLES. But once mama has started laying her eggs, you can come close enough to take pictures – but do NOT touch or harass her in any way because this type of turtle is designated as endangered – and you need a federal permit to touch or handle one!     Photos were taken last year at Matagorda Island NWR by Keith Ramos Once the turtle is on the beach, she will be hard to spot – especially when she covers herself over with sand in the process of laying eggs. But, if you see the turtle – or turtle tracks up on the beach leading to a large area of disturbed sand, here’s what you should do:               1. Use your cell phone and call the Sea Turtle Hotline, 1-866-TURTLE-5 and follow the directions you are given.               2. Protect the turtle from traffic or predators such as seagulls or pets – or other people. Remember – do NOT touch them unless they are in imminent danger.               3. Collect some driftwood and other small objects close at hand and mark the nest by placing the objects around it. Once the turtle leaves, going back to the Gulf, the nest will be hard to find and the biologists will need to collect the eggs to hatch out in safety in Corpus Christi.  Don’t push objects into the sand around the nest as you may injure the eggs below the surface.               4. If you can, stay with the turtle (if you have the incredible luck of actually seeing her lay her eggs) until a biologist arrives - or do what they ask you to when you call them. Take photos of the turtle – at least one from directly above the body, looking down on her back.     Sea turtle sightings are rare, but are increasing along the Texas coast. Already this spring along the Brazoria County shoreline, we have had documented sightings at Surfside and Bryan Beach.   So, with our expanding beach at the end of the San Bernard, the chances of Sea Turtles calling our beach “home” are increasing. Though it hasn’t happened yet, the San Bernard Beach Mouth could be the next turtle resort – or, should I say, nursery.   Our friends at the San Bernard National Wildlife Refuge conduct a Turtle Patrol twice a week – on Tuesdays and Thursdays just checking to see if we have the sea visitors coming to the beach on Wolf Island or the beach in the refuge on the Sargent side of the San Bernard. The patrol, jointly organized by Jennifer Sanchez and Keith Ramos, goes like this. When they have enough volunteers, they send 2 TRAINED volunteers on a 3 hour walking tour (1 1/2 hours walking out and 1 1/2 hours walking back) along the beach on both sides of the river.   If you like to walk the beach and you want to help out our friends at the refuge, you can always give Keith or Jennifer a call (979-964-3639) and they, in turn, will probably introduce you to Tracie Teague who co-ordinates the volunteer patrol times and schedules. You might even see F.O.R.’s own Mark Hazelrigg, who hardly ever misses a patrol.   If you would like to monitor the potential tagged Kemp’s Ridley turtle mommas swimming along the Texas coast, you can – and right from the comfort of your computer. Just go to www.seaturtle.org and then to TAMUG Kemp’s Ridley Tracking 2007. There’s even a turtle momma swimming around the beach at the end of the San Bernard possibly looking for a nest as this post is being written!   Whether you want to help out on patrol, or you just happen onto a sea turtle laying eggs on the beach on one of your summer jaunts to the beach, keep on the look out for turtles. There is still a month and a half left in the nesting season and you could just bear witness to an illusive, clandestine visitor succumbing to our river’s siren song as they come to our beautiful beach to bring new life in the world. The migration heart beat goes on and another species cheats extinction.

 

One of F.O.R.'s primary functions is to educate the public regarding the issues concerning the San Bernard River and it's Communities. Contact Pat Webb pat@sanbernardriver.com to schedule a guest speaker for your group or special event.

Notices & Reminders

What's New or Changed on the Web

• If you would like to receive periodic updates ( or if your email address has changed) see Membership tab above.
• 4th of July Boat Parade Meeting Thursday June 14, 7 PM at 2J's
• F.O.R. will have a booth at Coastal Expo during Fishing Fiesta in Freeport  July 6, 7 and 8. We are looking for  friends to volunteer to man the booth. Stay tuned for the sign up sheet.

• Officer Nomination Form Click HERE
• Flag Exchange Special
• Breakfast at Dido's Photos
• Brazoria County News June 7: Boat parade winners announced