 |
|
|
Online since March 2008
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
For “Lakeview Estates” Information Click here: Lakeview Estates Home Page, Summary of Covenants , Covenants , Yard of Month, Newsletter , Minutes of Meeting, Welcoming Committee , Lakeview Notice Lake Muriel, ARC, ARC Approval Form, Revised Guidelines, Minutes of Annual Meeting, Entrance ways *We no longer use West Beach Realty. New mailing address: Lakeveiw Estates POA, PO Box 984, Foley, Al. 36536-0984
|
|
|
|
2008 GlenLakes “Turtle Watch” Volunteers
|
|
|
|
Call or e-mail any of the people below to learn about the first meeting this coming Thursday, April 16, 2009
|
|
|
|
|
Green Sea Turtle
|
|
|
|
|
June 1, 2008
It is day break and four people from GlenLakes are walking the beach with their heads down scanning the sand. No, it is not insomnia, but rather four of the members of the “GlenLakes Turtle Watch Volunteers” on their morning patrol looking for turtle nests on west beach. The ten residents above make up the Glenlakes group of volunteers that patrol 1.2 miles of the beach every Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday morning looking for nests that may have been laid by sea turtles the night before. This is done early in the A.M. so any signs are easily spotted before the tracks are disturbed by people using the beach. A very stringent process is started when a nest is spotted so that a maximum hatch of these tiny creatures will eventually grow up to over 300 pounds.
After the approximate 55 days of incubation, the volunteers will be “nest sitting” all night so as to be there when these little guys emerge. The volunteers will get the turtles headed in the right direction toward the gulf - sometimes the babies are confused by the lights of the houses and street lights.
Updates of any nest activity will be reported by the Glenlakes volunteers and posted on this site as things progress.
For additonal information about Sea Turtles click below:
|
|
|
|
June 7, 2008
The phone rang at 8:00 A.M. with the news that the first nest on our section of beach had been found this morning. No, it was not one of the Glenlakes groups day to walk the beach, but we were still excited to get down and help in any way we could. It is Saturday, June 7th and we sprang into a mode to get down and help, because we were told the nest was too close to the tide line and had to be move further from the water. When we arrived, some of the group who found the nest, and Sherry and Jerry, our leaders had already taken down the measurements that are required and had started to dig a new "nest" on higher ground straight north of where "Mrs Turtle" had dug her nest and dropped her eggs. Next, the original nest was dug up and the eggs carefully placed in a cooler with the sand they were in and in the same position as much as possible. By then, the new nest which was dug the same depth and size as the original was ready for the eggs, which remided me of a bunch of ping-pong balls. They were then placed in the nest, again trying to keep them in the same position as possible and adding the same sand that they were laid in. Sand was then gently placed over the eggs until the level was a couple of inches below the normal level and a wire guard to protect from predators was then added. We will now start the waiting game which will be from 50 to 55 days before we start our nest watch and the chance to help these little guys reach the water.
|
|
|
|
July 1, 2008
About 6 A.M. this morning Kathy Dugal spotted our second nest of the season. Mrs. Turtle came in from the East, went straight up over the sand dune, laid her eggs, retreated down the same path, then turned west and back into the water. The nest was 48 feet from the wrack line and at a nice elevation so it was not disturbed. After placing a wire mesh guard over the nest and placing the stakes and barrier around it, the nest was left for mother nature to do its thing. Now it's a 50 to 55 day wait until we get to nest watch and see them little critters emerge and head for the gulf.
While Kathy headed east, Ken and Jan Taylor and their grandson Matt, were headed west from the other end and met Kathy at the new nest. Jim Dugal and their son Brian were at the same time down trying to catch a few fish out of the Gulf.
Now the rest of the STORY! Ken , I, and our grandson Matt had dinner with Kathy, Jamie & their son Brian last night. During dinner Jamie prompted us to ask Kathy about her dream the other night. She was so excited she woke Jamie up to tell him about it. Well, Kathy dreamt she was walking along the beach and the several loggerhead turtles were following her, but one came up to her and wrapped its big flippers around her shoulders and gave her a big turtle hug. We all said, the dream must mean that she will find a nest soon. Today, Jamie left her off at the far west end of our beach walk, and as she reaches the top of the dune to begin her walk.....she spots turtle tracks and the nest. Dreams do come true. Our grandson, Matt was also excited that he made the effort to get up at 4:45 am to take one last turtle walk before he flew back to Iowa midmorning. (Ken & Jan Taylor, Grandson Matt, Jamie & Kathy Dugal)
Below are some shots of the new July 1st sighting:
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
The nest before we dug into it.
|
|
|
 |
|
|
We found the eggs but did not remove them.
|
|
|
GLENLAKES TURTLE WATCHERS
DOING A GREAT JOB!!
|
|
|
|
|
July 18, 2008
Our turtle watch team has now located a total of 8 nests in our watch area, which includes the area from the pass into the little lagoon, west to Laguna Key. Six of the eight nests were moved to "higher" ground so there was no danger of water getting to them while two were felt to be far enough back that they were safe and only needed a protective barrier over the top to keep varmints out, and barriers around the top to keep the two legged varmints out. We are still running our daily patrols to find more nests, and are anxiously waiting the time when we get to see the actual "coming out" of these little rascals, which will take some all-night watches.
On July 10th, eight of our team participated in a "sea turtle watch" from 10 P.M. to Midnight to try to by chance catch a turtle calming in to nest under the quarter moon. We were not lucky enough to get that pleasure, but had a beautiful two quiet hours on the moon filled beach.
We have reports that the Fort Morgan team has now located 24 nests. (Reported by Jim Lorenz)
|
|
|
|
July 24, 2008
Today at 6:15 Tom Spangrud found nest #10 on his patrol. Tom and Linda have been walking a patrol since the start of last year and were finally rewarded by finding a nest. Mother turtle made a crawl 40" wide and made a nice "v" pattern crawl nicking an old hunk of canopy without even flenching from her given task. She deposited 129 eggs and then made her way back to the water. The nest was moved, as the high water mark from "Dolly" was still evident. Jan and Ken Taylor, and Margaret and Jim Lorenz assisted in the activities, although Sherry and Howard had much of the work done. Now it's wait time till the little buggers decide to come out and head for the water.
Sherry, who is our leader and lives at the beach has been checking the first few nests with a stethoscope twice a day to see if an activity is going on. The little guys crack the eggs and emerge into the sand, but stay underground until all have made it out. This is the activity that makes the noise. Then after a few days, they all emerge from underground and head for the water. No sounds so far, but our group is anxiously waiting.
|
|
|
|
August 5, 2008
Well it was 58 days since mother turtle dropped 114 eggs on the beach which was nest b-1. The group had been "nest watching" since day 52, with some activity detected by stethoscope on day 54. Then as time marched on, more and more noises were detected with cascading of sand heard on day 56. This cascading, as it is called, is the sand falling into the space that the turtles underground create when they emerge from the eggs and start gathering for their trek to the top. It was 8:30 P.M., on day 58, when the first "depression" was seen by the group of turtle volunteers. While many vacationers, who were very good about not getting in the way, lined the trench that had been dug to try to keep the little devils headed toward the gulf and not toward the condo lights behind them, the tension mounted. At 9:48 it happened, the "boil" began with the first wave of about 75 little guys virtually all coming out at one time with the rest following very close. The "fun" then begin as we tried to keep them all headed the right direction while handling them with only plastic gloved hands and only when necessary. At the same time two people were trying to count as they headed down the trench and into the water. Most of the little fellows were doing a pretty good job heading due south, but a few were either confused by the lights to the north or their internal GPS was not working because the insisted on heading back toward the nest. It was quite a site seeing all the volunteers trying to keep track of everyone of them to make sure they made it to the water. 13 minutes after the first of the "boil" took place, a total of 104( we think) little guys were in the water and headed out to sea. This was quit an experience, and a sight that not many people get to see.
|
|
|
|
 |
|
Jim and Margaret Lorenz (left) Linda & Tom Spangrud (right) holding up eleven fingers!!
|
|
|
|
|
August 14, 2008
|
|
|
Getting late in the nesting season, but guess what ! Tom and Linda Spangrud found nest B-11 today at 6:00 a.m. on the very west end of their route. Mother turtle made tracks 39” wide on her trek to the nesting spot which was deemed too close to the rack line. Therefore, the 105 eggs were moved back to a safer spot by Margaret, Jim, Linda, Tom and the rest of the "Turtle Team".
B-12 was also found today in Laguna Key by another of the turtle team. It appears there is some depression on nest B-2, so it may not be too long before we start nest sitting and maybe again get to watch a "boil" of those little guys head for the water.
|
|
|
|
|
August 14, 2008 (Group Leader Report)
This morning at 6 a.m. under threatening clouds, Adrian took Barney's walk of section 2 & 3. He began at the east end by Hakuna Matata and immediately found B-11. Having forgotten his phone he went home for it and decided to restart walking at the west end this time, planning to end up where he found B-11. Almost immediately, he found B-12. Meanwhile the Spangrud's, along their walk of section 1, also discovered B-11.
The sand at 2121 (our 5th nest here!) is seriously compacted and full of sharp shell pieces, not fun digging. Jerry eventually located the eggs under his right elbow, exactly where Linda had predicted (haha). Jim and Margaret, Tom and Linda, Howard, Jerry, Adrian and myself were on hand to work this nest, with Linda, Sherry, Howard and Jerry digging. Tom and Jim moved the eggs with Adrian counting while Jerry and Margaret did the paper detail. Jim finished off the taping under Margaret's watchful eye, great teamwork guys!
At B-11, 105 fat eggs were moved. Although the nest was laid close in line as our other nests here, we noticed a change in the water line. As always when dredging is going on, and sand is added to the beach at the Pass, we get a reciprocal erosian of beach further along. This is what has happened here. Track width was 39", heavily indented and mother turt got straight to business with an uncomplicated route in and out.
By the time we finished up with B-11, Howard, Adrian and Jerry, (who had skipped out earlier for B-12) had already located the eggs at 3245 WBB. Now there are 2 nests at Donna and Dennis' house, seems like old times!
At B-12 84 beautiful eggs were moved, having been laid at only 8.5 feet from the wrack line.
Track width was 34" wide with again, a fairly uncomplicated path. Sand here is soft and free of debris.
Our walker Adrian also stopped to check nests along the route and found an indentation at B-2 (2997 WBB). He heard sounds but also filled 2 crab holes. At 8:30 this morning no sounds were heard, however, we will need to move the tarping up to tonight and start checking regularly. Rick? 6:30 okay? Patrollers, please stop and check B-2 each early morning and record your findings. Anyone willing to sit this nest can sign up by emailing me and I'll pass the word to Rick.
Thanks one and all!
Sherry
YEEEEEHAAAAWWWWWWWWWWWWW!
|
|
|
|
|
September 22, 2008 for the last report for the year for Glenlakes Turtle Watch
|
|
|
|
|
|
Turtles in boxes hatching
|
Turtles hatching
|
Turtle making it’s way to the gulf
|
|
|
|
|
September 22, 2008
Last night around 9:15 PM the last nest on Laguna Key, and I believe the last nest on the entire lower Alabama beach, hatched with 113 very strong turtles making their way to the Gulf. Papa Tom Spangrud (he found the nest on 7/24) was present to see the hatching. The team monitored this one last nest for seven nights before the turtles made their way out. Even two possible new recruits for next year Debbie Kline & Debbie Willis nest sat one night with Linda Spangrud and Kathy Dugall.
The three storms threatened four of our nest, but did not harm them. We did lose two nests during Gustav. They were the last two nest which were both laid on August 14 and would have hatched mid October.
Finally count for Laguna Key - 10 of 12 nests hatched with 1013 turtles making it to the Gulf. Yeah............................................Laguna Key.
The attached pictures are from September 3 when nest 7 was released. This nest was taking on water during Gustav and was rescued on Friday night. The nest was dug up and the soon to hatch eggs and nest sand were placed in a plastic box and taken to a safe place where they hatched and were released on Wednesday. A small pool was dug in the sand with a trench leading them to the water.
Fort Morgan was hit hard by all three storms : ( 16 of 47 nest hatched with 1340 turtles making it to the Gulf. Even through they lost over half of the nests, they had more turtles making it to the Gulf this year then in years past. :)
Other areas reported:
Alabama Point - 3 of 4 nests hatched with 261 turtles
East Beach - 2 of 3 nests hatched with 173 turtles
Gulf State Park - 2 of 4 nests hatched with 96 turtles
Orange Beach - 4 of 5 nests hatched with 370 turtles
West Beach - 2 of 3 nests hatched with 165 turtles
There are over 3,400 turtles swimming in the Gulf just from our 35 miles of beaches, just think how many are out there from Florida to Mexico......and only 1 in a 1,000 makes it adulthood.
It has been a wonderful experience for the Glenlakes turtle team. We have met many wonderful turtle people and make many new friendships. Speaking for myself.....I am so looking forward to another turtle season next year.
Submitted by: Jan Taylor (Sept 22, 2008)
|
|
