Wednesday 20 September 2017

Costa Rica - Turtles On Your Marks, Get Set! Gooo!


Early morning turtle census involves walking a three mile stretch of beach to check all the existing turtle nests for predation, progress in the hatching stage and to take sand samples that will be analysed for micro plastics. All turtle tracks are swept to and from the sea in an attempt to disguise any new nests.

The walk this morning started with Anna in the usual way in overcast conditions (which is always good!). We started work making our way up the beach. At we were nearing the half way point when I noticed numerous tiny turtle tracks heading straight for the sea. I called Anna over and we traced the origin of the tracks. As we both looked at the small holes that had already been made a tiny head appeared in the sand. Then another and another until there were five little heads just above sand level.
This was my first group of hatchlings and they were Hawksbill Turtles who only had one thing on their mind and that was to make it to the sea. Anna became protector, wildlife film and documentary photographer as the five scuttled as fast as their tiny flippers could take them down the beach.
We shadowed the five making sure each one made it to the sea and said our goodbyes as each entering the water and with a single sweep of a wave disappeared from view.
This was truly another great moment and for five hatchlings another leg of their perilous journey into adulthood begins. Woo Hoo!

Pictures by and used with permission of Anna Harris (USA)

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