Troi Kaz Coastal Group

Information on homes for sale in DeBordieu Colony, Pawleys Island Real Estate, and other South Carolina coastal homes.

Loggerhead Sea Turtle

Sea Turtles LOVE DeBordieu Beach!

DeBordieu Beach has the largest number of Loggerhead Sea Turtle nests this season on a local level. The findings in a study by SCUTE were published by the South Strand News this week. Below is the article by Ali Akhyari.

“Sea turtle nesting season got off to a rocket start when the first sea turtles began coming ashore to nest about a week earlier than usual. Since then, there have been nearly 4,000 nests reported in South Carolina according to seaturtle.org.

Cape Island, located within the Cape Romain Wildlife Refuge, currently has the largest number of reported nests with 875. Locally, DeBordieu Beach has the most reported nests with 32, all of which are still incubating. It takes approximately 50 days for eggs to hatch. The vast majority of turtle visitors have been loggerheads with a few others tossed in including green and Kemp’s Ridley sea turtles. Combined, the latter make up a total of six reported nesting turtles compared to a whopping 3,189 loggerheads.

These numbers may seem large, but there are a lot of obstacles to overcome as well. In addition to the fact that it takes about 35 years for a loggerhead sea turtle to reach sexual maturity in order to reproduce, if they manage to survive, there are predators waiting for these eggs.

Overall in this year, 87 nests in South Carolina have been destroyed, most of which have been preyed upon by coyotes and raccoons as well as ghost crabs, to a lesser degree, this year. However, it is not just wild animals that create obstacles, but humans also have the ability to negatively impact nesting turtles.

In order to help these beautiful creatures have the best chance for success, it is important to observe and refrain from certain behaviors. The Town of Pawleys Island is home to the South Carolina United Turtle Enthusiasts (SCUTE) who patrol area beaches and help track and protect nesting sea turtles and their nests. On the Town’s website, SCUTE suggests a few actions that can help sea turtle nesting be as successful as possible.

• Do not leave belongings or trash on the beach. Objects like tents and chairs can create obstacles that turn nesting mothers around or even ensnare them. Trash, especially plastics, can simulate the turtles’ favorite food, jellyfish.

• Fill in whatever holes you or your children might dig. These holes can also create obstacles and traps for nesting turtles.

• Turn lights off at night, including outdoor lighting from homes and flashlights. Artificial light disorients hatchlings and can discourage mothers from laying eggs.

• Do not disturb nesting turtles or nests. If you are fortunate enough to catch a nesting event, watch from a distance.

For more information, visit www.townofpawleysisland.com/s-c-u-t-e/. “

Lemonade Stand for DeBordieu SCUTE


Elliott Reese Lemonade standWhen you ride down DeBordieu Blvd. keep an eye out for Miss Elliott Reese, who has set up a Lemonade stand to raise money for S.C.U.T.E., the South Carolina United Turtle Enthusiasts! At 50 cents a cup, it’s a great way to support this great organization, and encourage Miss Reese to continue to do good things! I love seeing kids like Elliott taking the initiative to champion good causes, and SCUTE certainly is one!

Loggerhead sea turtles nest on South Carolina beaches May through October.

S.C.U.T.E. is one of 19 volunteer sea turtle protection projects along our coastline under the direction of the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources. The 60 mile S.C.U.T.E. area extends from North Inlet in Georgetown County to North Myrtle Beach. DeBordieu and Hobcaw beaches typically account for 40-50% of the nests in this area. Volunteers walk at sunrise during nesting season looking for the large turtle tracks leading from the ocean to the dunes and back. When tracks are found, volunteers use clues to determine the nest area. Pool cues are used to probe the sand and locate the egg chamber. An average nest of 120 ping pong size eggs may need to be moved if it is laid in an unsafe place such as below the spring tide line or in a high foot traffic area. Volunteers cover the nests with a plastic mesh to protect it from predators and erect a sign with the nesting date.

At about 50 days of incubation, volunteers begin to look for a depression in the nest indicating hatching activity beneath. When a nest hatches usually at about 55-60 days, hatchlins 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 years, female loggerheads will return to the beach of their birth to nest.

 

You can help loggerheads!

You don’t have to open a Lemonade Stand, like Elliott did to help S.C.U.T.E. Here’s a list of things you can do to help: 

• 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!

DeBordieu Colony is a very private community on the coast of South Carolina, between Charleston and Myrtle Beach, just south of Pawleys Island. In addition to miles of secluded beach, boat landing access to North Inlet, and a 24-hour manned security gate, the private, equity DeBordieu Club offers Pete Dye golf, a tennis center and an ocean front Beach Club with fine dining, a gazebo bar, two pools, and a playground. There is truly no place like DeBordieu. Come see for yourself.