Tuesday, August 13, 2013 - 17:01
This nest hatched during Hurricane Earl in 2010. You can see the water pooled at the toe of the dunes from the high surf.
This nest hatched during Hurricane Earl in 2010. You can see the water pooled at the toe of the dunes from the high surf.
Photo courtesy of NPS staff.

As of August 12th, Ocracoke has 54 sea turtle nests on our beautiful beaches. 

Jocelyn Wright, Ocracoke's lead biotechnician for the National Park Service, contributed this update to the Current.

There's a total of 230 nests in Cape Hatteras National Seashore this year.  

Ocracoke had a record number of 54 nests in 2012.  It is possible for more nests to be laid this season setting a new record for the island. The first nest hatched over the weekend after incubating for 63 days.  As the nests continue to hatch we will be holding public excavations and releases again this year.  

An excavation occurs several days after the nest has hatched.  Biologists dig up the nest to count hatched/unhatched eggs and look for any remaining stranded hatchlings.  Once found, the baby sea turtles are released into the Atlantic Ocean under the cover of darkness.  For information about upcoming excavations please call (252) 475-9629.  This number will be updated daily and will include times and locations of excavations throughout Cape Hatteras National Seashore.  Notice of these excavations usually occur only a day in advance so PLEASE be sure to check this number often.

Hatchlings!
Hatchlings!
Photo courtesy of seaturtleinc.org

Sea turtle nests typically hatch at days 55–60.  Approximately 50–55 days into incubation the closure will be expanded to the surf line providing the hatchlings safe passage to the ocean.  There are currently 6 nests between ramps 70 (Airport) and 72 (South Point Road).  Their expected hatch dates range from August through October so ORV access between these two ramps will be limited.