Locals prepare for peaceful protest against pending legislation on Feb. 13, 2010

As the pending legislation for near shore oil drilling looms over the coastlines of Florida’s beautiful beaches, local businessman, Dave Rauschkolb has taken action to protest and bring awareness to the public.

Rauschkolb has created ‘Hands Across The Sand’  as an action dedicated to protecting our coastline and waterways from the devastating environmental effects of oil exploration and support industries, and are organizing a protest along the Gulf Coast.

Mission Statement
1. To raise awareness about pending Florida legislation to drill for oil in our coastal waters.
2. To organize a Gulf coast wide and perhaps a statewide coastal movement to protest this legislation. This protest will bring thousands of Florida citizens to our beaches and will draw metaphorical and actual lines in the sand; human lines in the sand against near shore oil drilling in our waters. This event will be held on Saturday February 13, 2010.
3.  To convince our Legislators and Governor to drop any and all Legislation that would allow this folly.

Walton County area beach locations:

Main Protest Site: Seagrove Beach to Grayton Beach
(parking in Seaside and at the Van Ness Butler Jr. Beach Access between Watercolor and Seaside)

Additional Protest Sites with ample parking: Blue Mountain Beach Access, Dune Allen Beach Access, Ed Walline Beach Access, Gulfview Heights Beach Access, Inlet Beach Access, Miramar Beach Access

For more information, go to http://www.handsacrossthesand.com/

Posted under Birding, Fishing, Kayak/Canoe, Nature, paddle/surf/boat

Green turtles recovering in the warm pools at Gulf World. Photo courtesy seaturtlewatch.com

South Walton Turtle Watch group helps out at Gulf World

South Walton Turtle Watch was called to action this weekend to assist Gulf World staff and other area volunteers with a turtle rescue at St. Joe Bay. More than 650 cold-stunned turtles were rescued and brought to Gulf World in Panama City.

Sharon Maxwell led the team of 10 South Walton Turtle Watch volunteers assisting with documenting individual statistics, and caring for the sicker of the group.

Sad news, as more than 150 turtles have expired. The good news is because of the volunteer efforts, many of the survivors will be released once the waters warm up.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Florida Wildlife Conservation Commission, Apalachicola National Estuarine Research Reserve, University of Florida, Gulf World staff and volunteers have rescued the turtles from the frigid temperatures of St. Joe Bay Jan. 7, 8 and 9. Mostly green turtles, there were a few endangered Kemp’s Ridley rescued as well.

The shallow waters of St. Joe Bay is the major factor as to why the turtles become stunned so easily according to Secret Holmes, Marine Stranding Coordinator of Gulf World Marine Park. Most of the turtles will recover quickly. When the water temperatures become more stable, they will be released.  If you would like to volunteer, call Secret at 850-258-6968. For related story, Click here

Posted under Nature

Cold-stunned turtles await transfer to Gulf World. Photo courtesy St. Joseph Bay State Buffer Preserve

Turtles being transferred to Gulf World for rehabilitation

PORT ST. JOE – Rescuers are working hard saving hundreds of  cold-stunned turtles in St. Joe Bay. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Florida Wildlife Conservation Commission, Apalachicola National Estuarine Research Reserve, University of Florida, Gulf World staff and volunteers have rescued more than 200 turtles from the frigid temperatures of St. Joe Bay Jan. 7 and 8. Mostly green turtles, there has also been a few endangered Kemp’s Ridley rescued as well.

Stunned by the recent freezing temperatures, approximately 100 turtles were rescued Jan. 7 and with another 100+ on Jan. 8. The workers and volunteers expect to work through the weekend as they anticipate more rescues.

The shallow waters of St. Joe Bay is the major factor as to why the turtles become stunned so easily according to Secret Holmes, Marine Stranding Coordinator of Gulf World Marine Park. Most of the turtles will recover quickly. When the water temperatures become more stable, they will be released.

“This happens every couple of years,” Holmes stated.

The St. Joseph Bay State Buffer Preserve is the central headquarters/staging area for the operations, providing lodging, equipment, and manpower. They are all then being transferred to Gulf World in Panama City for rehabilitation.

If you are interested in volunteering, contact Gulf World Marine Park, Secret Holmes, Marine Stranding Coordinator, (850) 258-6968.

Posted under Nature

Loggerhead hatchling. Photo courtesy FWC

South Walton Turtle Watch documented 39 loggerhead nests

Below is the final tally of turtle nests in the South Walton 2009 season

Total number of nests: 38 Loggerhead
Total number of false crawls: 20  Loggerhead
Dead strandings: 5
Alive strandings: 2
Depredated nests: 6 by dogs and coyotes
Total:  2583 ALIVE TO WATER
450 DEAD IN NEST
614 NO OBVIOUS
190 DEPREDATED

3837 TOTAL  EGGS

Posted under Nature

Loggerhead hatchling photos and video courtesy Lisa McBride.

Thanks to two turtle watch volunteers, last hatchlings in nest survive

Early in the morning on Sept. 15, South Walton Turtle Watch volunteers Anthony and Sherry Head headed to check a loggerhead nest near Stallworth Preserve in South Walton County in anticipation of seeing activity as the nest was ready to hatch. With the recent rains, they knew if could be any time, so with great anticipation headed to see if there was any activity.

Here is Anthony’s story
Tuesday morning we woke up and both said at nearly the same time, “let’s go look at the nest at Stallworth.” We grabbed a cup of coffee and out the door we went at about 7 a.m. We got to the nest and as we approached it, we could see an indentation. It had rained so hard the night before there was no hope of seeing any tracks. It was obvious enough that the nest had hatched though. Read More…

Posted under Nature

More than 49 loggerhead turtles hatched from nest No. 7. Photo courtesy Rebecca Wilson.

A loggerhead hatchling heads to the Gulf. Photo courtesy Rebecca Wilson.

It’s a great big world out there!

In the early evening hours of Aug. 8, Rebecca Wilson was at the right place at the right time, as she witnessed the hatching of South Walton turtle nest No. 7 near Stallworth Lake.

Rebecca, a professional wildlife photographer was able to capture the hatching of nest No. 7 on camera without using any flashes.

“I’ve been waiting 26 years for this,” Rebecca said to South Walton Turtle Watch volunteers Anthony and Sherry Head, who arrived around 7:30 p.m.

By the time Anthony and Sherry arrived there were 49 turtle all over the beach headed for the Gulf.  Click here to learn more about our local sea turtles

Posted under Beaches, Nature

Anthony and Sherry Head of South Walton Turtle Watch Group witnessed a loggerhead nesting on Aug. 2, 2009

Loggerhead lays eggs near Stallworth

Anthony and Sherry Head of South Walton Turtle Watch Group had a pleasant surprise in the early morning hours of Aug. 2. While walking the beach for the group, they came upon a mother turtle in the midst of laying her eggs. Thank you for sharing Anthony and Sherry.

Click here to view all the 2009 turtle nests

Posted under Beaches, Nature

Click here for 2009 turtle nest photos and locations

- – - – - – - – - -

Click here to read story about loggerhead laying eggs in broad daylight!

- – - – - – - – - -

Click here to read story about two rehabilitated turtles released into Gulf

- – - – - – - – - -

South Walton Turtle Watch Group
keeps track of area sea turtles

Female loggerhead turtle.

According to Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, sea turtles, are among the oldest creatures on earth, and have remained essentially unchanged for 110 million years.

However, they face an uncertain future. Illegal harvesting, habitat encroachment, and pollution (physical and light) are only some of the things sea turtles must face as each species struggles to stay alive.

We are fortunate to have a local group of dedicated volunteers, South Walton Turtle Watch, who monitor our beaches on a daily basis during the turtle season.

Led by Sharon Maxwell, the group was formed in 1995. There are 40 members, which 25 have state-issued permits. The volunteers walk the beach in the early morning hours, and have a designated area each monitors for turtle tracks and nests. Read More…

Posted under Beaches, Nature

South Walton Turtle Watch Group’s
2009 turtle nests

Nest 37, loggerhead, found by Bill Higgins. This is his first one this year....yeah! Just west of Mistral.

Nest No. 36, loggerhead was found by Charlie on Aug. 8 near Seacrest.

Nest #35 was found on Sunday 8/02/09 by John Andrews a loggerhead in Inlet Beach.

Anthony and Sherry Head of South Walton Turtle Watch Group witnessed a loggerhead nesting on Aug. 2, 2009. Nest No. 34 near Stallworth.

Sherry and Anthony Head at nest No. 34 near Stallworth.

Nest #33, loggerhead was found on July 31 by April and moved by Anthony and Sherry Head. Turtle came up between a towel and buckets/toys on the beach. The sand was saturated from a storm surf but the turtle nested anyway. 107 eggs were moved.

Read More…

Posted under Beaches, Nature

Learn about preserving these majestic creatures at Topsail

Location: Topsail Hill Preserve State Park on Scenic Road 30A

Wednesday, July 22 – 6 p.m.

The majestic Sea Turtles are in the middle of a very reproductive season.  Learn the facts about common Sea Turtles at Topsail.  Be a part of an enlightening program and see what you can do to help preserve these awe inspiring creatures of the sea. Park at the Day-Use area on Hwy 30A and take a short walk with park staff to the clubhouse. A $3.00 entry fee is required.

Contact: (850)267-0299
Topsail Hill State Preserve is located at the western end of Scenic 30A in Santa Rosa Beach. Click here for map

Posted under Nature