Species of Turtles on BHI

There are two main sea turtles that nest on Bald Head Island. The Loggerhead and the Green. I will be leaving tomorrow for another week at BHI and my first meeting with the volunteers. But I can take a minute to tell you a little about each amazing turtle that nests on BHI.

The Loggerhead Sea Turtle

The Loggerhead sea turtle is one of the two main turtles that nest at BHI. It's found in the warm waters off the coast of the U.S. It eats anything it can find around the ocean floor and can grow to be three feet long. It got its name from its large block-like head (up to 10-inches wide). And another thing is that it is one of the endangered species of sea turtles!

The Green Sea Turtle

The other sea turtle that nests on BHI is the Green sea turtle. It's mostly found on the east coast of Florida. It can be up to 4-feet long and more than 500 pounds! What I find most interesting about this turtle is that it did not get its name for being green (it's not) but because it has green body fat. Now that's a funny way to name a turtle. Sadly, this one is endangered also.

So now you know the main facts of the friends of BHI. One more thing is that the turtles are almost about to nest! Mama turtles have been spotted and Oak Island (close to BHI)  had a false alarm nesting... I can't wait till I get a nest of my own!

First Visit Of The Year!

I just got back from BHI for the first time of the year! I had so much fun fishing, biking, and eating ice cream at SandPiper Coffee & Ice Cream. This was the week where I went over to the BHI Conservancy to meet the volunteer coordinator, Jaymie Reneker.

With her I learned about which species of turtles come to nest at the island. The ones that nest are Loggerheads and Green Sea turtles... but once in 2010 a Leatherback slipped onto shore and laid her eggs. We're waiting for the hatchlings to grow up and come lay eggs of their own.

To fill in the rest of the week, I did some things around the island like catch a Pompano fish.

And accidentally ran over a snake (I think a Black Racer) with a bike I could not really control!

Another thing we love to do is go on what we call "night rides." It's basically going out on the unlit roads of the island in the golf carts trying to spot deer, foxes, raccoons, and the occasional rabbits. We went to the turtle pond every day but we saw no alligator this time! Now I am determined to see one. Hopefully I will have my camera on me if I do.

So what a trip! And now I can't wait for the next. See you soon Bald Head Island.