Green Turtle hatchlings race to the sea at beach near Evans Head, NSW

 

Green Turtle hatchings making their way to the sea near Evans Head, NSW
IMAGE: Rick Pagotto

NSW Department of Planning, Industry and Environment, media release, 9 March 2021:

Furious flipper action has been seen on a remote beach near Evans Head as tiny sea turtle hatchlings emerged from their buried nest and made a break for the ocean.

Green turtle (Chelonia mydas) hatchling, Evans Head 

Andy Marshall from the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) said more than 100 Green Turtles hatched last week and their first moments were caught on camera by a local photographer coincidently walking the beach.

“These eggs have been incubating underneath the sand since around December and the hatchlings all emerged over a few hours in the early dawn,” said Mr Marshall.

“NPWS and NSW TurtleWatch are keeping a keen eye on around 7 more sea turtle nests along the coast as they should also hatch over the next few months.

“Along the NSW coast we expect the hatchlings will either be green turtles (Chelonia mydas) like the ones we saw at Evans Head or the endangered loggerhead turtle (Caretta caretta), both are generally around 5cm in length when born.

“If anyone sees a hatchling please don’t pick it up or interfere with its path to the sea, instead report it immediately to NPWS or NSW TurtleWatch so we make sure these little ones make it safely to the water,” Mr Marshall said.

Holly West from NSW TurtleWatch says early reports and information from the public is vital in being about to monitor these hatchlings.

“With such a large coastline to cover it is likely that we could have missed some nests being laid and may miss them hatching so public help at this time is vital,” said Ms West.

“Hatchlings should emerge at night as they are safer from predators and the heat of the sand but there are of course always stragglers, so we are asking people to keep their eyes peeled, especially close to sunset and sunrise.

“As well as reporting all sightings, you can help these baby turtles by removing your rubbish from the beaches, drive slowly along the beaches, and stay off the dunes,” Ms West said.

If you find a sea turtle hatchling along the beach please notify NSW TurtleWatch immediately on 0468 489 259, or contact NPWS on 1300 0PARKS.

NSW TurtleWatch has been developed by Australian Seabird Rescue, in partnership with NSW Government's Saving Our Species program. Visit Saving Our Species for more information on green turtles.

More photos: Dropbox: Green turtle hatchlings

First turtle hatching on the New South Wales coast for 2020

Turtle hatchling
Image supplied

Turtlely cute hatchlings cause for shellabration

In eggciting news, the first hatchlings have emerged from one of eight turtle nests being monitored along the NSW coast by volunteers from the NSW TurtleWatch program.

The nest was laid at Port Macquarie in December and the hatchlings found during a nest inventory last week.

NSW TurtleWatch Project Officer Holly West said northern NSW beaches can provide important nesting habitat for green and loggerhead turtles, listed as vulnerable and endangered, respectively, in NSW.

“People should keep their eyes out from now until May for turtle hatchlings on north coast beaches.

“Our volunteers are like expectant parents at this time of year, eagerly awaiting signs our efforts have paid off.

“When we see those indications of hatchlings emerging from the nest, it’s an exhilarating feeling to think another lot of hatchlings have made it to the ocean.

“We did have some fears for the Port Macquarie nest after evidence of fox disturbance, but National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) rangers undertook some preventative measures including installing predator mesh to deter digging.

“After a nest has hatched NPWS conduct a nest inventory that will give us vital information about the success of the nest. 

This information can be used to help future monitoring and conservation efforts. 

The Port Macquarie inventory revealed over 90% of hatchlings from more than 100 eggs made their way to the ocean.

“15 live hatchlings were uncovered during the excavation and released after sunset.

“This has been a great start for the NSW coast turtle hatching season and our volunteers stand watch over another 7 nests in the Tweed, Clarence Valley, Coffs Harbour and Port Macquarie areas.

“While we try to intervene as little as possible, we have worked with NPWS and council staff to give two nests a helping hand this year.

“One green turtle laid eggs on Manly Beach and we have relocated all 144 eggs from this nest to the Coffs Coast as they would not have survived in Manly due to the cool temperatures experienced there.

“Another nest laid on the Tweed Coast over the Australia Day weekend had to be relocated as it was laid below the high tide line.

“Fingers crossed we get some successful hatchlings from these and all of our other nests,” Ms West said.

To help hatchlings please remember to keep our beaches free from marine debris, sea turtles dig in the dark so keep lights low and keep your eyes peeled for hatchlings while walking the beach. 

If you see a hatchling on the beach, please contact Australian Seabird Rescue immediately on 02 6686 2852 or environment line 1300 361 967.

The NSW TurtleWatch program  is an initiative of the Department of Planning, Industry and Environment’s Saving our Species Program with Australian Seabird Rescue. 

It is a citizen science program involving volunteers collecting valuable data for marine turtles nesting in NSW and their potential threats.

To find out more or get involved with the NSW TurtleWatch Program e-mail turtlewatchnsw@gmail.com or visit NSW TurtleWatch for more information

Jacki Roberts
Senior Public Affairs Officer

Office of the Coordinator-General

Hatchling stragglers
Image supplied