Seabrook Island Turtle Patrol

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).

MOMMAS 2 COYOTES 0Our mommas don't mind the wind and rain, Coyotes not so much! Wimps!The morning started off cloudy and...
06/19/2026

MOMMAS 2 COYOTES 0
Our mommas don't mind the wind and rain, Coyotes not so much! Wimps!
The morning started off cloudy and fairly humid. By the time the probers were called out the heavens opened! Tropical storm Arthur passed through.
Zone 1 yielded Nest 45 50 yards North of Peg 3. Walkers J-Anna Smith and Marnie Ellis called in this crawl and the Gores walked out to probe. They found the nest and it was left in situ. Further on, 25 yards past Peg 4, walkers found a promising crawl with two clear body pits. J-Anna and Marnie probed thoroughly and, after rain delay, returned with Sandy MacCoss to try again. Unfortunately, they declared a false crawl but will continue to monitor the area.
Meanwhile our walkers on Zone 3, Nancy Shelton, Sandy Beasley, Beth Kuess and Judy Morr called in with a crawl by the boardwalk 7 steps. By this time the rain was treacherous. Judy Morr probed and found the eggs of nest 44 which were transferred to a safer location just north of boardwalk 6.
Certainly, a morning to remember!
Department of Natural resources. Permit Licensed by SC Dept # SCDNR MTP # 543

Our mommas were ready to party last night!This morning we found 4 new nests and 9 false crawls, 2 of which seem promisin...
06/17/2026

Our mommas were ready to party last night!
This morning we found 4 new nests and 9 false crawls, 2 of which seem promising and will be monitored. Our walkers and probers had their work cut out for them!
Zone 1 walkers Sandy Snead, Milum Livesay, Karen Reavis and Marnie Ellis found two of the nests. Nest 38 was found about 3 houses north of board walk 6 and was unfortunately badly predated. Probers Mike Vinson and Gary Holtz found only one viable egg which they moved about 3 -1/2 houses north of boardwalk 6. "Georgina" was tucked up and hopefully she will hatch and be on her way. Obviously, we have no way of knowing the s*x of the turtle, that's the name that was chosen. In past years we have had lonesome George and lonesome Georgette.
Zone 2 walkers Judy Morr, Judy Kuhnlein, Kim Sparks and Kathy Thompson found a predated nest at the bridle trail entrance. Judy, as prober, was able to move 74 viable eggs out of the 139 laid about 15 yards south of the bridle trail and this was nest 39.
Zone 1 walkers—Joe Ficarra, Sharon Lubert, Lisa McDonald and Jane Magioncalda found several crawls near one another. Only one turned out to be a nest, Nest 40 which probers Jen Gibson and Joleen Ardaiolo left in situ in front of peg 4.
Zone 4 walkers Mollie Korski and Kerry McPartland found a very promising crawl at the end of the zone. Jen Gibson and Joleen Ardaiolo found 3 body pits which they probed extensively but, in the end, declared a false crawl.
A good morning for all.
Department of Natural resources. Permit Licensed by SC Dept # SCDNR MTP # 543

Another crazy morning on the beach with 4 new nests.Zone 4 walkers Amy Kashmer, Ed Heskamp, Kathleen Airhart and Suzette...
06/16/2026

Another crazy morning on the beach with 4 new nests.
Zone 4 walkers Amy Kashmer, Ed Heskamp, Kathleen Airhart and Suzette Burns new they had a nest when they inspected the crawl. Unfortunately, the Coyotes found it before the walkers. Prober Lesley and Tony Gore were able to relocate 57 viable eggs of nest 34.
Zone 2 walkers Linda Nelson and Patt Tamasy also had a predated nest. Probers Marnie Ellis and Gary Holtz were only able to find 5 viable eggs of nest 36.
The jack pot of the morning goes to walkers Nancy Schibler, Melinda Yocum and Sandy Beasley on zone 3. They found 2 crawls. Probers Judy Morr and Jen Gibson were able to leave nests 35 and 37.
Department of Natural resources. Permit Licensed by SC Dept # SCDNR MTP # 543

Just when we thought the turtles were done for the season 3 visited last night. One momma found the perfect spot while t...
06/15/2026

Just when we thought the turtles were done for the season 3 visited last night. One momma found the perfect spot while the other 2 were not happy with the spots they chose. Come back tonigh mommas! Zone 1 walkers—Kim Neath, Melissa Andrews, Julie Minch and Julie Clark called with a promising looking crawl by the bird sanctuary. Probers Mike Vinson and Jen Gibson located turtle Nest 33 which was left in situ.
Department of Natural resources. Permit Licensed by SC Dept # SCDNR MTP # 543

Our mommas took a couple of days off to rest up. Last night 2 mommas visited and both decided that zone 1 was the zone o...
06/09/2026

Our mommas took a couple of days off to rest up.
Last night 2 mommas visited and both decided that zone 1 was the zone of choice.
Zone 1 walkers Lynda Zegers, Lori Porwoll and Mary Van Deusen were the lucky ones today. They first found a crawl by the bird sanctuary. A few minutes later they called with another crawl, this time closer to the spit. Probers Judy Morr and Joleen Ardaiolo responded quickly and probed the first crawl. This became nest 31 which was left in situ. The second crawl also had eggs. This time 119 eggs were relocated closer to peg 7.
We are now using a rake to erase the crawls as opposed to the X.
Department of Natural resources. Permit Licensed by SC Dept # SCDNR MTP # 543

A beautiful morning to be on the beach. Our mommas favor zone 3 this year. Walkers this morning were Judy Morr and Beth ...
06/06/2026

A beautiful morning to be on the beach.
Our mommas favor zone 3 this year.
Walkers this morning were Judy Morr and Beth Kuess who found the two crawls in zone 3.
Probers Sandy MacCoss and Nancy Schibler located Nest 29 five houses N/O the club. This was left in situ. The crawl two houses N/O the club was below the high tide line so 114 eggs from Nest 30 were relocated 6 houses north of the Club.
Department of Natural resources. Permit Licensed by SC Dept # SCDNR MTP # 543

Our mommas keep coming.A relatively slow day as we "only" have one new nest to report. Zone 2 walkers Kim Hanson, David ...
06/06/2026

Our mommas keep coming.
A relatively slow day as we "only" have one new nest to report. Zone 2 walkers Kim Hanson, David Williams, Lori Chait and Betty Connell found a crawl about 200 yards S/O BW 2. Unfortunately, coyotes predated this nest. Probers Sandy MacCoss and Nancy Schibler salvaged 76 of the 151 eggs in nest 28, relocating them to a spot about 250 yards S/O BW 2
Those pesky Coyotes! They did not or could not read the eviction notices!
Department of Natural resources. Permit Licensed by SC Dept # SCDNR MTP # 543

Our mommas are on a mission! 7 nests in 2 days. Zone 3 walkers Marnie Ellis, Sandy Snead and Karen Reavis hit the jackpo...
06/04/2026

Our mommas are on a mission! 7 nests in 2 days.
Zone 3 walkers Marnie Ellis, Sandy Snead and Karen Reavis hit the jackpot with 5 nests
Probers Mike Vinson and Gary Holtz relocated 89 eggs of Nest 19.
Mike and Gary left Nests 21 and 22 in situ.
Mike and Gary relocated 110 eggs from Nest 23 to higher round.
Nest 25 was north of boardwalk 6 and was left in situ by probers Judy Morr and Joleen Ardaiolo.
Zone 1 walkers Lisa McDonald, Joe Ficarra and the Jane Magioncalda also had some fun today. They found 2 nests.
Nest 20 was near peg 5 and was predated by coyotes. Probers Jen Gibson and Wendy Holschuh were able to relocate 66 viable eggs out of the 121 laid.
Nest 24 was 30 yards north of peg 5 and was almost on top of existing Nest 9. The mama actually threw sand on the screen of nest 9. This nest was left in situ.
Zone 3 walkers again had all the fun today. Walkers Sandy MacCoss, Sharon Beasley and Susan McDonald found 2 crawls which both resulted in nests.
The first crawl was 3 houses north of the Club. Probers Lesley and Tony Gore located the 144 eggs of nest 26 and relocated them to higher ground. The second was crawl was 5 houses north of the Club. Probers Mike Vinson and Marnie Ellis had trouble locating the eggs as momma had crawled over rocks and nest 22. The eggs were located and were left in situ.
Keep on coming mommas.
Department of Natural resources. Permit Licensed by SC Dept # SCDNR MTP # 543

After a very busy day yesterday, today was very quiet by comparison. 4 mommas visited, but only 1 found the perfect spot...
06/02/2026

After a very busy day yesterday, today was very quiet by comparison.
4 mommas visited, but only 1 found the perfect spot to leave her babies.
Zone 3 walkers Sandy Beasley, Nancy Schibler and Mellinda Yocum actually called in with 3 crawls! 2 were false but probers Judy Morr and Joleen Ardiaolo located the eggs of nest 18 which was left in situ 5 houses north of the Club. Momma had climbed rocks to find the spot!
Department of Natural resources. Permit Licensed by SC Dept # SCDNR MTP # 543

MOMMA MIA, our turtles came to party last night!The beach was buzzing with excitement with so many crawls; which kept ou...
06/01/2026

MOMMA MIA, our turtles came to party last night!
The beach was buzzing with excitement with so many crawls; which kept our probers and dispatcher busy.
Of the 12 crawls 2 mommas found the perfect spot to leave her babies.
Zone 2 walkers Cathrine Scully, Rob Jerome, Mike Vinson and Gary Holtz found Nest 16 about 100 yards north of boardwalk 2. Probers J-Anna Smith and Linda and Bill Nelson determined that the nest could be left in situ.
Zone 1 walkers Kim Neath, Julie Minch and Melissa Andrews found a promising crawl 25 yards north of peg 3. Probers Jen Gibson and Joleen Ardaiolo determined that this nest, 17, could also be left in situ.
A great team effort documenting all the crawls.
Wonder how many mommas will return tonight and find the perfect spot?
Department of Natural resources. Permit Licensed by SC Dept # SCDNR MTP # 543

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