And we're back for season #24!

All of a sudden we're a month into the nesting season with 22 hawksbills to date! 6 are neophytes (first timers), 9 are maiden returnees (second timers), and 7 have nested for 3 or more seasons.

We recognize several girls from 2008 - our first season with the project. In fact, 9 of the 16 remigrants so far are on a 2 year remigration interval. Cassie is the first neophyte we ever tagged, Speedy is our fastest nester (able to finish in an hour when it normally takes an hour and 20 minutes!), and PPN040 is one of our old girls who is easily pushing 45 years old.

Although only a month into the season, we had our first nest hatch a few nights ago (surprising as nests incubate for about 2 months). This means preseason nesters arrived at Pasture Beach as early as the first week of May. The nest hatch was also a surprise because the hatchlings were emerging from beneath a nesting turtle attempting to dig her nest chamber! This turtle was digging the same chamber that another turtle dug 2 months earlier.

After a slow start, the season has now begun to pick up speed along with the arrival of intern Rob. We're predicting a strong year again to follow last year's 77 turtles.

Dom: I predict 123 turtles. no just kidding, 83.
Rob: 85. (after some serious thought) love it!
Kate: 79. seems safe I know. but I don't think we're going to have another jump in numbers after last year's 15% increase.

Seth and Carol?

Off to the last patrol of the night!