Hunting Island is a nesting ground for the Loggerhead turtle. Around mid-May, many Loggerhead turtles begin dragging their huge bodies up onto the beach, dig a hole and lay their 100 - 160 eggs before returning back to the sea. At night, Hunting Island personnel, along with the "Friends of Hunting Island" group volunteers, comb the beach for new nests. They then uncover the eggs and take them to a hatching facility located on Hunting Island where the eggs can hatch and the young turtles are safe from the many predators. After obtaining the statistics of each turtle, they are then released to begin their journey to the sea, hopefully to return another day to dig their own nest. This is a vital contribution to the Loggerhead species. If you should find a nest...
it is important NOT to disturb it.
Report it to a park ranger.

Hunting Island does have a hatchery watch program where the public can participate. This program usually starts around mid July and ends around late September or mid October. (It depends on when they all finish hatching).
To participate, volunteer first meet at the park and receive some basic information about the turtles and learn how to assist the turtles. Then...
you come in around 7:30 PM and watch for hatching turtles to appear. If any turtles hatch that night, they will begin their dangerous journey to the ocean.
The volunteers watch over them and keep the many predators from killing and eating them. This is one of the most dangerous times for the newly hatched turtle, and many would perish if it were not for this protection
provided by the volunteers and park personnel.
Camera flashes, lights, and/or pets are NOT allowed,
(lights cause the turtles to go in the wrong direction and perish).
Under state law, the turtles can NOT be touched or handled by people.
It's a very rewarding feeling to know that you have "clear the way" for a baby turtle to make it safely to it's new home... as well as very exciting to participate!.
For more information or to assist please contact
the park nature center at 843-838-7437.

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