This is one of the most exciting times of the year for the DeBordieu chapter of SCUTE, which stands for South Carolina United Turtle Enthusiasts
. Now is the time when the baby Loggerhead Sea Turtles, referred to as hatchlings, leave their nests and make their way to the Atlantic! SCUTE volunteers walk the beach everyday to check on the nests, and do all they can to protect the hatchlings from predators. When a nest hatches usually at about 55-60 days, hatchlings make a mad dash to the ocean following the fluorescence of the waves 
as long as they are 
not lead astray by onshore lighting. Three days later, volunteers conduct a nest inventory near sunset. A notice is posted at the kiosk at DeBordieu’s main pool at the Beach Club giving the time and location. At the inventory, a volunteer tells visitors about the procedure and printed information is handed out. The nest contents are dug out and data is recorded. Sometimes live hatchlings are found in the nest that weren’t able to emerge on their own. Volunteers put the hatchlings on the beach and let them crawl to the ocean and ‘imprint’. At maturity, 25-30 y
ears, female loggerheads will generally return to the beach of their birth to nest. However, recent DNA studies show some turtles will nest many miles from where they hatched.
There was a very successful inventory at one of the nests at DeBordieu last night. I love the picture of the little bitty tracks in the sand! Click this link to get: SCUTE DAILY UPDATES.
I hope you enjoy these pictures, the video of a rare daytime nester, and visit the DeBordieuScute.com website to get the entire story.
You can help loggerheads!
• Lights Out! Turn off oceanfront lights by 10 p.m. during nesting season. Lights can disorient adult turtles and hatchlings.
• Keep Our Beach Clean! Take your beach items home with you, fill in holes and leave the beach clean and clear at night for sea turtles.
• Avoid Disturbing Sea Turtles! If you see a sea turtle on the beach, crouch down and be still until she has started dropping her eggs. At that point you can move in closer, staying behind her and enjoy watching an age old wonder of nature!
There has never been a better time to consider a purchase at DeBordieu!
For real estate information, contact TroiKaz@DeBordieu.com, 843-455-4523.
DeBordieu Colony is an oceanfront community located just south of Pawleys Island, South Carolina featuring private golf and tennis, saltwater creek access to the ocean, a manned security gate, and luxury homes and villas surrounded by thousands of acres of wildlife and nature preserves.
