Diamondback Terrapins get help

Meet a Diamondback Terrapin. Doesn’t she have a sweet face? Why do I say she? Keep reading.

 I have been following the valiant efforts to help these special turtles headed up by our own Georgia Sea Turtle Center (GSTC). We learn a lot more about sea turtles and other turtles because the GSTC is working to save these animals since 2007.

Terrapin laying her eggs

What make Diamondback Terrapin special? They are the only turtle that live in the salt marsh. But Terrapins have a problem. From late April through July, female terrapins are coming out of the marsh to find that high ground to lay their egg. Earlier I ask the question why she, well most of these terrapins we see are female. There is a major problem for these ladies terrapins is the highest places are our roads.

For several years, the GSTC has been studying this problem, and they have made some progress.

Becca and her team showing Jekyll visitor the Terrapins

Meet Becca, you will see her out on the Jekyll Island causeway working on helping these ladies out. GSTC put up caution signs along the causeway. The signs at the beginning and end of the causeway have flashing lights. Those lights flash around high tide when these terrapins are most likely to cross the road. It signals us to slow down and watch for them. Still some terrapins get hurt. Becca is out there to help. The one she can help safely across the road will never know they were in danger. The ones that get run over but are still alive, she takes them to the center where they try and save them. If they cannot be saved, the eggs are taken and put in an incubator. The hatched Terrapins will be released back into the marsh when they are ready. It is a busy time right now for Becca and her team. They are out every day.

Becca also is tracking these terrapins.
She is putting notches or recording the notches, she finds on the Terrapins. We learn so much about these terrapins because of the work of the GSTC.

this Terrapin was run over  but was treated by GSTC and released

Here are two different Terrapins that were helped across the road.  One had already be hit and treated at the Center and the other had been bitten by something and escaped.  But look at how beautifully marked she is.

something bite this terrapin

Thank you Georgia Sea Turtle Center. If you are anywhere on the southeast Atlantic coast, please slow down let all help these fertile turtles on the go.

The Wilson's are nesting on Jekyll!

They are nesting!  Want to help? Consider signing on for a Plover Patrol Survey.  It is simple and you get to spend 2 hours on the beach.  Look at this great picture by Marilyn Meagher.  She has completed two surveys already.  Ty Ivey has done one.  Thanks guys!

Sorry to take so long to post but I have been very busy pulling together this art show. It shows my growth as an artist over the last thirty year of drawing, printing and painting birds.

Here is one of my walls that I had to fill.  These are drawing using graphite and pastels

     There were a lot of walls to fill so I worked and worked and worked.  I didn't know how it was going to look so I was surprised to see it up.  Thank you to the Jekyll Island Art association's Rosemary and Stephanie for hanging so well.  The show is at the Goodyear Cottage on Jekyll Island.  It will run through the end of the April.




Here are a few more pieces.

 The other artist in the show is Nancy Adams of Savannah Georgia.  Her organic gourds are simply beautiful.                                                                         

Of course, what I work so hard for is the Plover Patrol to help the birds that are my driving force. So it is back to the birds.  Also I would like to thank David Fisher for taking these great photos of the show. 

The Venice Area Audubon Society comes to Jekyll

The Venice Area Audubon Society group came to Jekyll.  They came in yesterday February 5.  We saw Avocets, Whimbrels and assorted shorebirds at the Wild Viewing Tower on the causeway.  Then I lead them over to Amphitheater for nature's  nightly heron show....(the birds come into roost)
Then this morning we went out to southend beach for gulls, terns, skimmers and the Wilson's Plovers. 
      It was fun showing this wonderful group Jekyll's birds. 

Super high tides and a White-winged Dove

 High tides are to expected. We have two each day. Some high tides are not as high as other high tides. It is all about the moon and the sun and where they are in relationship. The moon is the key player. Full and new moons the tides are very high. 

 However, the wind can make the tide higher. This week the moon is a new moon and the winds were from the north. We had super high tides.  

 This caused me to go other places to look for birds.  At the Jekyll Island Club Pavilion, we found a White-winged Dove.  I guess it was looking for a new place away from the tides.

Cool bird, it just let us watch it for awhile.