Sea Turtle Season
When it comes to sea turtles, Bird Island has recorded
some great numbers this season; from turtles coming ashore to
lay their eggs to successful nests hatched, turtle lovers will be happy to read this update.
Hawksbill Turtles
Our first nest was early in September letting us know that
females were preparing themselves to start the season. There was some activity
in October with a count of 19 nests by the end of the month but peak activity
was in November and December (81 and 110 nests counted
respectively) reaching over 200 nests. By January, 47 nests were
recorded indicting a fall in the numbers of turtles coming ashore to
lay. By February even fewer nests were being recorded and it
can now be said that the main Hawksbill season is practically over.
Green Turtles
For the Green turtles it has definitely been a great
year. Never before had we recorded so many nests or so much activity on our
beaches. For this season, 169 nests have been recorded to date. Peak
activity was recorded in September with 32 nests counted and the numbers
dropped in October with 17 nests counted. The number of nest per month
however, have not been decreasing since then but have
been stabilizing with an average of 18 nests per month over these past
3 months.
Heaven
for Sea Turtles
On each of her morning walks our Conservation
Officer, Joana, encountered at least one nest where hatchlings had
emerged, indicated by the several baby tracks leading away from the nest.
"Our nests are all in nature where there’s
plenty of space and the conditions (temperature, humidity, etc.) are all
natural, allowing the eggs develop the way they were meant to. So although it
may be harder to actually see the 'newborns', if you're lucky enough
to come across them, it’s a magical moment!" - Joana Soares, Bird Island
Conservation Officer.
Bird Island may be known mainly for the many birds that
call this island home or their ‘port of call’ when on their yearly migratory
trips but the island is also a haven for sea turtles. Being far from the
mainland and with there being very little human activity, the island is an
ideal spot for turtles to nest. The owners have played an active role in
keeping Bird Island a simple eco-lodge where nature reigns and hope to continue
doing so in the years to come.
