Sea Turtle Info

Good news/bad news. I found the South Walton turtle watch website. Link:http://www.seaturtlewatch.com/info.html

Here is a photo that shows the turtle tracks going SMACK DAB INTO A TENT SOME KNUCKLEHEAD LEFT ON THE BEACH OVERNIGHT!

The running into obstacles has been going on here for years, also lighting disorientations of both adult nesters and hatchlings. What is truly shocking is the decline in nest numbers over the years. I personally do not believe there are enough nests to sustain the population, but I do hope I am wrong.
Thanks, Skunky, for caring and posting info here.

Look like that home owner is in direct violation of the endangered species act. Read them their Right and lock them up!!!

I'll be the first one to bring it up, but the remove it or lose it the Sea walls or beach armoring and the turtles have a direct correlation with each other. Hummm me thinks the County is gonna be in some real super deep ****e here real soon. Me also thinks the County Attorney may exit real soon!!! Lets see what happens. Mr BeachSio ya better call me fast.

Hmm I think I may have stumbled across something?

Thanks for the link Punzy,

We are regular visitors to Vero Beach, Fl. as we have our vacation club there with Disney. They are very strict in that area about protection of the turtles.

The resorts on the beach even go as far as putting informational material in the rooms.

One of the problems it seems with Walton county is lack of an ordiance.

http://www.floridaconservation.org/seaturtle/Lighting/Light_Ordinance.htm

Here is a very good article on protection of the turtles especially Section C

Human Presence on the Coast

http://www.law.fsu.edu/journals/landuse/Vol132/Butl.htm

Thanks for the link Punzy,

We are regular visitors to Vero Beach, Fl. as we have our vacation club there with Disney. They are very strict in that area about protection of the turtles.

The resorts on the beach even go as far as putting informational material in the rooms.

One of the problems it seems with Walton county is lack of an ordiance.

http://www.floridaconservation.org/seaturtle/Lighting/Light_Ordinance.htm

Seems to be only one of many problems:

Lack of an ordinance

Lack of enforcement of existing ordinance

Lack of education/information *** This one we can all directly work on fixing. Educate a tourist or their kids every day you are on the beach, and help keep the beaches clean. BTW, Educate a local too if possible.

If we can scrounge up 100 signatures, I'll hand deliver a letter with all the names, a link, and Kurt's generous offer to all three Publix, and all the local stores that are selling large shovels.

I can use help...please tell me where you've seen these shovels for sale. I've mentioned Publix, and I know Movies by the Sea has a sign out front advertising Big Beach Shovels. Since I don't have kids, I'm not frequenting the toy stores!

If we can scrounge up 100 signatures, I'll hand deliver a letter with all the names, a link, and Kurt's generous offer to all three Publix, and all the local stores that are selling large shovels.

I can use help...please tell me where you've seen these shovels for sale. I've mentioned Publix, and I know Movies by the Sea has a sign out front advertising Big Beach Shovels. Since I don't have kids, I'm not frequenting the toy stores!

Come on everybody. I am personally responsible for 21 that I know of (1 bad and not counting GRS ) so lets get the number to 100 and let Punzy go to work. It really is that bad.

Come on everybody. I am personally responsible for 21 that I know of (1 bad and not counting GRS ) so lets get the number to 100 and let Punzy go to work. It really is that bad.

Hey I voted on the turtlecratic side!

I can use help...please tell me where you've seen these shovels for sale. I've mentioned Publix, and I know Movies by the Sea has a sign out front advertising Big Beach Shovels. Since I don't have kids, I'm not frequenting the toy stores!

We don't sell that stuff at our store!

If we can scrounge up 100 signatures, I'll hand deliver a letter with all the names, a link, and Kurt's generous offer to all three Publix, and all the local stores that are selling large shovels.

I can use help...please tell me where you've seen these shovels for sale. I've mentioned Publix, and I know Movies by the Sea has a sign out front advertising Big Beach Shovels. Since I don't have kids, I'm not frequenting the toy stores!

Grayton General - owned by same person who also owns the Tom Thumb's (I'm not sure if they have them) in the area and I suppose the new Seagrove general Store near Yianni's. The large beach stores in Miramar beach - at leat the one on the north side of 98 I was in the other day. Probably a few places on Scenic Hwy 98 in Miramar.

Added to home page.

I'll sign it, does the petition have a location?

I'll sign it, does the petition have a location?

Sign online - http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/beachshovels

I'm preparing a letter to my renters to be e-mailed prior to their arrival. It will include a link to the South Walton Turtle Watch for information, and discuss why filling in the holes and removal of beach items is imperative to the turtles survival and nesting habits.

I want to include that flashlights are not allowed on the beach at night, and suggest where to purchase these turtle friendly lights I have heard about.
Does anyone know where they can be bought?

I will pm the letter or post it for anyone who wants to use my copy.

It will also include a copy of the Beach Safety Brochure provided by the TDC.

I'm preparing a letter to my renters to be e-mailed prior to their arrival. It will include a link to the South Walton Turtle Watch for information, and discuss why filling in the holes and removal of beach items is imperative to the turtles survival and nesting habits.

I want to include that flashlights are not allowed on the beach at night, and suggest where to purchase these turtle friendly lights I have heard about.
Does anyone know where they can be bought?

I will pm the letter or post it for anyone who wants to use my copy.

Save trees! Laminate it and leave it on the fridge or in the guest book.

Not sure about the lights, but I would also suggest that if the moon is half or better you don't need a flash light, just wait two minutes and your eyes will adjust.

Check with Jen at Raw & Juicy about the turtle friendly light filters. Not sure where else.

I'm preparing a letter to my renters to be e-mailed prior to their arrival. It will include a link to the South Walton Turtle Watch for information, and discuss why filling in the holes and removal of beach items is imperative to the turtles survival and nesting habits.

I want to include that flashlights are not allowed on the beach at night, and suggest where to purchase these turtle friendly lights I have heard about.
Does anyone know where they can be bought?

I will pm the letter or post it for anyone who wants to use my copy.

It will also include a copy of the Beach Safety Brochure provided by the TDC.

Here's the proper link - http://www.seaturtlewatch.com

I believe one of our members has red flashlight covers that are turtle friendly. You can email Sharon at http://www.seaturtlewatch.com/contact.html and she will tell you where to get them.

Save trees! Laminate it and leave it on the fridge or in the guest book.

Not sure about the lights, but I would also suggest that if the moon is half or better you don't need a flash light, just wait two minutes and your eyes will adjust.

I plan on doing that too, but, I figured e-mailing will also enhance the point.
I thought I read about the lights from you. Moon glow on the water is the best. No biggie, it's not going to hold up my info sheet/ letter if I don't find out shortly.


Edit: Thanks for the info y'all posted that I missed.

Here's the proper link - http://www.seaturtlewatch.com

I believe one of our members has red flashlight covers that are turtle friendly. You can email Sharon at http://www.seaturtlewatch.com/contact.html and she will tell you where to get them.

That's a funn site!! The cartoon turtle intro gave me a chuckle. Going back to watch that again, and again..........

I plan on doing that too, but, I figured e-mailing will also enhance the point.
I thought I read about the lights from you. Moon glow on the water is the best. No biggie, it's not going to hold up my info sheet/ letter if I don't find out shortly.


Edit: Thanks for the info y'all posted that I missed.

My bad, I missed the e- before the mail. You one upped me by not even using paper in the first place. ^5

Nest #17 as of this morning over near Stallworth.
My wife and I joined the folks walking the beaches. This morning was our first day and the guy walking the next section to the West of us found the nest. Dawn called us over to see the tracks firsthand and what the nest looks like.
We hadda dig for awhile to find the eggs, but my wife found them.
Way cool experience and we had a small crowd of kids that we were able to educate a little on turtles.

Good job! They are your babies now. A couple of months from now we will know where to find you in the evenings, sitting with that nest.

Very cool, right down from our house. We'll have to go down for the hatching. That is really cool if you've never seen one.