Edisto Beach Loggerhead Turtle Project

05/31/2026

Once in a while, the universe gives us a night that feels surreal.

On May 31, 2026, a rare Blue Moon will rise above the world the second full moon in a single calendar month, something that only happens every few years.

Its silver-blue glow will stretch across oceans, mountains, forests, and quiet sleeping cities beneath the stars.

And for a brief moment, everything may feel a little slower…
a little softer…
a little more connected.

The Moon won’t actually appear blue.
The name comes from a rare calendar rhythm caused by the Moon’s 29.5-day cycle around Earth.

But somehow, that makes it even more beautiful.

Because rare things don’t always have to be dramatic to matter.

Sometimes they simply remind us to pause…
to breathe…
and to dream bigger than we did yesterday.

05/31/2026

Drew Pamplin spotted this huge leatherback turtle offshore of Surfside with his drone. He thinks it was 6 feet long. Great capture.

05/31/2026

As we close May out today, Edisto town beach has 37 nests. See the comparison chart below.

End of May #
2019- 62
2020- 30
2021- 23
2022- 48
2023- 35
2024- 35
2025- 35
2026- 37

🐢All Beach surveys and turtle activities are performed under permit from SCDNR

05/31/2026

Loggerhead sea turtles use the Earth's magnetic field to navigate through two distinct sensory mechanisms: Magnetic Map Sense (Feeling Location) and Magnetic Compass Sense (Direction). Recent studies confirm these are two separate systems, and this dual system enables precise navigation across thousands of miles of open ocean.

Learn more ➡ https://savetheseaturtle.org/

05/30/2026

What a fun week!

Remember today is both Turtle Fest at the State park and paddle for the pups at the beach! Vendors are at bay creek park today for all the fun!

We are now up to 34 nests and more false crawls or non-nesting events.

Please call the Edisto non emergency number if you see anything turtle related. (843) 549-2211 and they will also contact turtle patrol.

📸: Jay, Courtney, Kristi

🐢All Beach surveys and turtle activities are performed under permit from SCDNR

05/30/2026

What do sea turtle shells and fingernails both have in common?

They are both made of a protein called keratin. Keratin is used to form the scutes which cover the carapace (the upper shell) and the plastron (the lower shell). The scutes provide protection for the turtle’s shell.

This is very important as the carapace consists of over 50 fused bones including the spine and the rib cage, and the plastron protects the turtle’s internal organs. Because these bones contain nerves and blood, their shells are sensitive to touch.

As sea turtles grow throughout their lives, they can shed their scutes and grow new ones as replacements. The two shells are different colors to help protect turtles from predators both above and below, an adaptation known as countershading.
This conservation work for protected sea turtles in northern Outer Banks is authorized by the NC Wildlife Resources Commission (ES Permit )

05/29/2026

🐢Come celebrate the return of the sea turtles to South Carolina!
📍Edisto Beach State Park
Saturday, May 30
7 a.m. to 9 a.m. & 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
FREE with park admission!

05/27/2026

How great is this?! 💚🐢💚

https://www.facebook.com/share/189sDRcUwr/?mibextid=wwXIfr

🌊🐢WE LOVE THIS! Students at Sullivan’s Island Elementary School are stepping up to help protect Sullivan’s Island’s first sea turtle nest of the 2026 season. 🐢🌊

STORY: https://www.live5news.com/2026/05/27/where-science-meets-sand-sullivans-island-students-help-protect-1st-sea-turtle-nest/