Navarre Beach Sea Turtle Conservation Center

August Newsletter
Navarre Beach and Eglin areas typically see (4) species of sea turtles during nesting season: Loggerhead, Green, Leatherback and Kemps. On Navarre Beach, the most frequent nesting turtles are Loggerheads. 10 of the 11 nests this season have been identified as Loggerheads. However, this year we are extremely fortunate to have a Green sea turtle nest! The last time a Green selected Navarre Beach for a nesting site was in 2004. This nest was discovered in early July, with a typical incubation period of 55-60 days, excitement is rising amongst green enthusiasts. We know Greens frequently visit and feed in our area as the Navarre Beach Marine Sanctuaries reef-cam caught several cameo appearances of a juvenile Green. Sadly though, Greens are listed as endangered species in the U.S. and are facing a very high risk of extinction in the wild in the near future. This is a somber reminder of why sea turtles need our protection. Through conservation of our marine resources, education programs and partnered research we can make a difference, we can save sea turtles. The protection of sea turtles begins and ends with conservation and education, you have an opportunity to be a part of this, will you? Join us for beach cleans up. Trash Bash events are held the last Saturday of every month!! Support the Navarre Beach Marine Sanctuary and reef projects. Have you registered for the Run for the Reef? Volunteer your time we are looking for volunteers to man the Seamore Store and Interpretive Center.

Nest Etiquette If you happen to be on the beach and witness a nest sitting, where permitted volunteers are checking the status of a nest or an actual nest hatching, here are a few things to remember.

Never use a flashlight or bright lights near nest or hatchlings. Bright lights not only disorientate hatchlings but attract potential predators. Be as quiet as possiblenoise travels easily under the sand and any noise or commotion will deter the hatchlings from emerging because they will think predators are around. These are endangered and threatened specieskeep a safe distance and never handle a hatchling. All hatchlings need to be documented, if you see hatchlings emerging or in distress call Cathy Holmes at 850.-565-0279 or contact the FWC.

To report someone disturbing a sea turtle nest or an injured, dead or harassed sea turtle
Call: 888-404-FWCC (3922) Cell Phone *FWC or #FWC

August 2013

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Nest # 1 2 3 4 5

Nest News
Date 6/3 6/8 6/18 6/19 6/25

Nest # 7 8 9 10 11

Date 6/29 7/7 7/9 7/10 7/18

Everyone seems to have hatchling fever and we at the NBSTCC are no different! With 11 nests and counting on Navarre Beach, time is ticking down to the emergence of our first hatchlings. We are all asking, when will we see babies??? Typical signs that a nest will be hatching soon include: a depression in the sand over the nest, increase in predator attention (large ghost crab holes), scratching and rushing waterfall sounds. Usually once these signs are observed, hatchlings are only a few days behind. However, the nest and emergence of hatchlings is directly impacted by weather conditions. One weather condition effecting nests on Navarre Beach this season is the substantial amount of rainfall received. According to recent reports up and down the gulf coast, the 2013 nest season is going to be unique as a result of the substantial rainfall. These long periods of rain effect the nest by lowering the temperature of sand around the nest; a key component to the develop of eggs and hatchlings. These lower temperatures affect the incubation period and as a result we are seeing much longer incubation periods. Our friends on the Navarre Beach Sea Turtle Patrol have been monitoring a nest making noise over the last few days and recently reported a partial hatching! A partial hatching occurs when only a single or few hatchlings emerge at a time compared to "boil" or mass emergence of hatchlings. This nest has had (3) partial hatchings over a 2 night period and only a handful of hatchlings emerged.
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August Newsletter
Volunteer Spotlight: Jeff Waldorff
Jeff Waldorff is an award winning nature & wildlife photographer, Ft. Walton Beach native, and the subject of this months NBSTCCs Volunteer Spotlight! Jeff was introduced to the NBSTCC at the Navarre Fun Fest. Jeffs combined love for nature and wildlife, and his quest for new photographic challenges make him and the NBSTCC a perfect fit. Ever since I was a child, I have had a love of nature and wildlife. Back then I collected reptiles, bugs, and critters to admire. I still do, except now I photograph them. I have always loved sea turtles but I have not yet had the opportunity to capture a photo of one and I consider it my next photographic challenge. Jeff has generously donated his time along with pieces of photographic artwork to help the NBSTCC with its much crucial task of fund raising.

Discovery Zone: The Green Sea Turtle Named for the green color of fat under its shell, the Green is easily identified from other sea turtles by their single pair of prefrontal scales. Scientific Name: Chelonia mydas Length : 3 to 4 Ft Largest on record 5 Ft Weight: 240 to 420 lbs. Diet: varies during life stages Greens diet vary during their life stages. At less than 10 inches they dine on worms, young crustaceans, aquatic insects, grasses and algae. Over 10 inches in size their diet consists of only grasses and algae, making them the only species of sea turtle that is truly herbivorous as an adult.

In addition to Jeffs efforts to help us raise awareness and funds, Jeff is determined to capture that breathtaking moment when hatchlings first emerge from their nest and start their epic and harrowing journey to sea. Photographing such a moment is challenging for a multitude of reasons but I have a feeling that will not deter Jeff. Like all passion, it begins with a compelling love and desire to be immersed it in. Jeffs passion, not only for photography but for nature and wildlife, enables him to capture those once in a life time moments that can be taken for granted or would have been missed in a blink of an eye. As a result, his viewers connect deeply with his photography. The NBSTCC is lucky to have his support and we cannot wait to see what Jeffs sees next through his lens. To learn more about Jeff view his amazing portfolio at: http:// www.waldorffphotography.com/

You can make a difference too! Join our awesome team of volunteers by visiting our website and filling out a volunteer form: navarrebeachseaturtles.org/
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Find us on Facebook: Help grow awareness for sea turtles and conservation of marine resources by sharing our Facebook page. Please LIKE and SHARE our page. Weve reached over 800 LIKES and were aiming for a 1,000! Can you help us get there?

The Pipeline
August 16, 17, 23, 24, 30, 31: Seamore Store will be open Fridays and Saturdays from 9am to 1pm August 16: Noon to 4pm: Artist and Writers with Chuck Chunn at the Navarre Library August 17: 10 am to noon: Artist and Writers with Chuck Chunn at the Navarre Library August 31st: TRASH BASH: 8am to 10am meet at the Sea Turtle Pavilion #2: BYOBG (bag, or bucket and work gloves) September 7th: Community Outreach at the grand re-opening of the Palm Tree Plaza. Come get your picture taken with Seamore and the opportunity to dunk your favorite volunteers in the dunk tank!!! All dunk tank proceeds go to the NBSTCC. September 21st: International Coastal Clean Up September 27-29: Community Outreach at the Sand Sculpting Contest: www.navarresandsculpting.com/
October 5th: Marine-Life Mania (Beaches to Woodlands month) at NBSTCC

October 13th: Run for the Reef, 5k event. http://www.navarrebeachmarinesanctuary.com/

For more information on our up-coming events, activities and the latest sea turtle news find us on Facebook!
Ask Turtle. How long can a sea turtle hold its breath?
Sea turtles can hold their breath for several hours at a time depending on their level of activity. A turtle who is resting or sleeping can remain underwater for 4 to 7 hours!

Green Sea Turtle captured on the NBMS reef cam

August 2013