ATV rider Darlene J, N.E.S.T. volunteer extraordinaire, found the nest this morning. Congratulations Darlene!
Since a great portion of our beaches are being “nourished” this year, it means many many nests need to be relocated and this nest laid in Kitty Hawk is no exception. Over the past 25 years N.E.S. T, volunteers have relocated hundreds of nests. Those nests have the same over all success rate as those left in situ. That is quite an accomplishment. When a nest must be relocated, the relocation site should be as close as possible to the natural nest site and the nest should be same size and shape as the nest that was laid. While handling and moving eggs, the eggs must be kept upright during the entire relocation trip – in and out of nest, moving the eggs along the beach or in the car – as there is a ligament from shell to embryo holding the embryo in place. If that ligament is ruptured the embryo will not develop.
Seasoned volunteers, Pam and Bob M, were lead responders for Nest 28.
Gail and Ricky B take measurements for the new nest
Eggs are carefully removed from this shallow nest and placed in egg cartons to maintain the upright position. The order of the eggs from top to bottom will be maintained at the new nest site.
Eggs are put in the new nest
Once all the eggs are in the new nest, dataloggers are installed, tethered to rebar and the nest is covered and roped off.
Team 28 at the completed nest – a job well done!!
- nest number: 28
- town: Kitty Hawk
- date eggs laid: 07/09/2022
- actual emergence date: 8/31/2022
- live hatchlings: 110
- total eggs: 119
See all active nests