Two More IOP Nests Today

Nest #13 for the Isle of Palms was laid near the 5th Avenue Access Path and found by Susan Lipsey and Jenn Connell at sunrise on a beautiful June morning. This section of beach will undergo sand pumping renourishment starting in September, after this nest hatches. SCDNR has given permission for us to leave nests laid early in the season in this area under our nesting permit. This nest was laid on the flat beach below the spring tide flood line, so the 95 eggs were carefully relocated up onto the newly built berm at 410 Ocean Blvd next to the path.

We are happy to be able to finally leave nests down near the south end and hope that next season there will be new dunes suitable for many more nests.

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Nest #14 was discovered by Gillian and Richard Ellis on patrol at the 57th Avenue Access Path in the Wild Dunes part of the island. It only contained 57 eggs, about half the usual number for a loggerhead. It is yet another nest laid in the upcoming renourishment project area at the north end where sand pumping will begin very soon. So the eggs were relocated to a good dune near 29th Avenue. The tracks showed an abnormality on the side of the right flippers.

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