Seabrook Island Turtle Patrol

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Seabrook Island Turtle Patrol

The purpose of the Seabrook Island Turtle Patrol is to protect and preserve the sea turtles that visit and nest on our beach.

Who We Are

The Seabrook Island Turtle Patrol (SITP) is volunteer organization. It is supported financially by the Seabrook Island Property Owners Association and member donations. The SITP operates under a permit issued by the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR). The SCDNR establishes guidelines for best practices in the identification, protection and inventory of sea turtle ne

sts. The Seabrook Island Turtle Patrol follows these guidelines and provides data to the SCDNR to assist in tracking the reproductive performance of sea turtles that nest on Seabrook Island, South Carolina. What We Do

The SITP was formed in 1990 and its primary goal is to protect nesting sea turtles and their hatchlings. In order to accomplish this, members of the patrol walk the beaches every morning during the nesting and hatching season. The season typically runs from May until October. Generally, the beach patrols begin (appropriately!) on Mothers Day. During these walks members identify and locate nests. The nests are then protected with screening and are recorded and monitored. When evidence of hatchlings occurs and sufficient time has passed to allow all hatchlings to emerge on their own, the nest is inventoried to collect data for the SCDNR. Where We've Been

Since 1990, the Seabrook Island Turtle Patrol has identified over 1000 nests on our beaches and the average number of nests each year has been growing. We saw a record number of nests in 2019 with 90. During the last 30 years sea turtles have deposited over 100,000 eggs in nests on Seabrook Island and 10s of thousands of live hatchlings started their life journey on Seabrook Island sand. The SITP has increased from 7 volunteers in the early years to nearly 150 volunteers during recent seasons. If you come across a dead, injured, or stranded sea turtle, please notify the DNR (800.922.5431) and Seabrook Island Turtle Patrol (843.310.4280).

05/31/2026

NEST 15 HAS QUITE THE STORY TO TELL.

Last night, Turtle Patrol received a phone call: that a momma loggerhead turtle was laying her eggs and throwing sand. Upon hearing this news probers Judy Morr and J Anna Smith decided that they were going to beat the Coyotes to the nest. So, with turtle patrol shirts on and flashlights with red filters on off they set on their mission!
They found the momma still on the nest, they waited patiently for her to leave. They quickly lay mesh screens to protect the nest and manages to get measurements of the turtle. They alerted Sunday walkers, dispatcher and probers of the nest.

BUT - the work was not over.

Sunday morning probers Marnie Ellis and Anne Snelgrove went out to locate the nest, but it was difficult to find. Probers Mike Vinson and J-Anna Smith came out to help and eventually Nest 15 was found. It was left in situ north of peg 6 on zone 1. For walkers, Patricia Meyer and Lisa Kinne nest 15 was their first time finding a nest.
All in all, it was a fabulous group effort.

05/30/2026

Everyone was excited this morning as calls kept coming in on crawls.
Unfortunately, after 4 crawls were examined 3 were recorded as false. Zone 2 walkers Vivien Joklik, Elaine Morris and Sue Ferland did have a nice crawl and body pit, but guess who found it first? Yes, those pesky Coyotes. Probers Anne Snelgrove and Jen Gibson managed to relocate 27 eggs of the 109 laid. Nest 14 is located 12 yards north of boardwalk 3.
Department of Natural resources. Permit Licensed by SC Dept # SCDNR MTP # 543

05/29/2026

So, is 13 a lucky number or unlucky number? Today we had both!
Our zone 2 walkers Jen Gibson, Anne Snelgrove, Lina Drever and Sharon Lubert found a nice crawl with body pit in front of the kayak shed on zone 4 but guess who beat the probers in finding the eggs. Yes, Wily Coyote. So that was the unlucky part but fortunately Wily had a full stomach of he was disturbed as 103 eggs of the 125 had not been touched! That's the lucky part. The eggs were relocated 10 yards south on the kayak shed.
Department of Natural resources. Permit Licensed by SC Dept # SCDNR MTP # 543
Jen and Anne not pictured. Congrats to Lina and Sharon on their nest.

05/27/2026

12 nests and counting.
Zone 2 walkers had all the action today.
Judy Morr, Kathy Thompson and Kim Sparks found a meandering crawl about 200 yards by boardwalk 2. This momma was a little picky when it came to leaving her babies! She came in, dug a hole that she abandoned, and then left a cloverleaf trail to the body pit then she then made two more loops crossing over each other on the way out.
Probers Mike Vinson and Judy Morr found the eggs of nest 12 in the body pit which they were able to leave in situ.
Department of Natural resources. Permit Licensed by SC Dept # SCDNR MTP # 543

05/26/2026

One more nest.
Zone 1 walkers Lynda Zegers, Pam Silvestrini, Ruby Jenkins and Mary Van Deusen found a very promising crawl about 200 yards from the spit.
Judy Morr and Joleen Ardaiolo found the eggs of Nest 11 and 125 eggs were moved to a safer location about 6 yards N/O peg 7. Coyote tracks were near the original location but there was no digging. Good momma fooled the Coyote! Laid and covered her eggs before the Coyote woke up!
Department of Natural resources. Permit Licensed by SC Dept # SCDNR MTP # 543

05/25/2026

HAPPY MEMORIAL DAY FROM THE TURTLES.
Another great night for the mommas. 5 crawls which resulted in 3 new nests!
Zone 2 walkers Mike Vinson, Cathrine Scully, Gary Holtz and Rob Jerome spotted 2 crawls near one another half way between BWs 2 and 3. Probers J-Anna Smith and Linda and Bill Nelson responded. 75 eggs from nest 8 were relocated further back behind the high tide line. What became nest 10 was left in situ and is located just near nest 8.
Zone 1 walkers Julie Minch, Julie Clarke, Kim Neath and Melissa Andrews found three crawls. The first crawl, just past marker 2 became nest 9. Probers Jen Gibson and Wendy Holschuh relocated 120 eggs about 25 yards N/O peg 2 above the high tide line.
Department of Natural resources. Permit Licensed by SC Dept # SCDNR MTP # 543

05/23/2026

WOW. What a busy night the mommas had followed by an equably morning our probers had!
7 mommas visited our beaches last night resulting in nest 5, 6 and 7. The other 4 were declared false crawls.
Luck was on zone 3 again today. Walkers Judy Morr and Brian and Beth Kuess found two of the nests. Probers Anne Snelgrove and Jen Gibson located Nest 5 south of the yellow house and moved 132 eggs further back between the 3rd and 4th house south of the yellow house. The walkers second crawl was Nest 6 and probers Judy Morr and Bill and Linda Nelson moved 131 eggs 2 houses S/O the yellow house.
We then had a call about a possible predated nest at the spit on North beach. Probers, Sandy Mac Coss, Wendy Holshuh and Jane Magioncalda responded and discovered a nest high in the dunes. The tracks had been washed out with the tide. The 60 viable looking eggs were relocated 70 yards north of peg 7.
Keep on coming mommas.
Department of Natural resources. Permit Licensed by SC Dept # SCDNR MTP # 543

05/22/2026

Our mommas from yesterday returned in the night - that's what we want to believe!
Our zone 3 walkers, Judy Morr, Brian and Beth Kuess, Nacy Shenton and Sandy Beasley called in with a promising crawl. Probers Judy Morr and Kerry McPartland probed for almost an hour. Given the length of the out track they were convinced there were eggs to be found. Expert prober Sandy MacCoss together with Nancy Schibler came to help. Finally, Sandy found the eggs of nest 4 which was left in situ. Talk about team effort!
Department of Natural resources. Permit Licensed by SC Dept # SCDNR MTP # 543

05/21/2026

LIGHTS, CAMERA, ACTION.
Well almost! We certainly had plenty of camera action and momma action! Finally, four mommas found our beaches last night. 3 were declared to be false crawls but one momma left us her babies.
It was Lucky zone 3 walkers, Sandy MacCoss, Sandy Beasley and Susan McDonald who reported a nice-looking crawl with body pit in - front of the yellow house. Probers Lesley and Tony Gore located the eggs, and they were relocated to a safer spot 125yards north of boardwalk 6. Susan and Sandy Beasley were excited to remove the eggs from their original location and relocate them. This was the first nest Susan had found in 4 years of being on Turtle Patrol and beginners' luck for Sandy who joined this year.
Here's hoping those mommas that came last night but didn't find the right sport return tonight with better luck.
Keep up the good work mommas.
Department of Natural resources. Permit Licensed by SC Dept # SCDNR MTP # 543

05/15/2026

Is this the start of anther wacky year for the turtles? Normally our intrepid walkers who are the beach by 6:30 every morning during the nesting season find the crawl. However, due to the high tides yesterday (Thursday) our zone 1 walkers could not complete the entire walk. Later in the day probers Mike Vinson and Marnie Ellis completed the walk and low and behold they find a crawl! The 49 eggs of nest 2 were relocated to a higher ground by peg 7.
Department of Natural resources. Permit Licensed by SC Dept # SCDNR MTP # 543

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Seabrook Island, SC

Website

https://www.siturtlepatrol.com/contact

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