The wait is over, baby Diamondback terrapins are now starting to hatch. #LBI #TerrapinNestingProject

The first nest was laid June 8, 2014 and typically the turtles start to hatch about 60 days later. It can be as long as 90 days but in years past its never been more than about 75 days. The temperatures this past summer have been very mild low 80's and high 70's along with a bit of rain making the nesting season a little longer then in years past.

Diamondback Terrapin's in #LBI #TerrapinNestingProject

During the months of June & July is the height of the nesting season for the Diamondback Terrapin's here in Long Beach Island, NJ. I enjoyed volunteering and learning about the terrapin's. My job was simple spot a turtle, follow it,

Terrapin Nesting Project #LBI

For the last couple of years I have been reading articles and following on facebook the Terrapin nesting project. They need volunteers to help and this summer I have the time to do just that. I went to the meeting where Kathy Lacey, the women who founded this project explained just what we needed to do. It seemed fairly simple, you walk up and down a few blocks of the island looking for the female turtle or as Kathy calls them the “girls” to come out of the Barnegat Bay to nest.

My first day I walked for an hour or so no turtles but it was a nice walk along the bay. There is a schedule of times but really it is when you have time. 

The second day I went with some family members and we did find 2 nests that had just been laid. One the eggs had already been eaten but the other had a few in it. We got to save 6 eggs.