Just like buses!

It's been a slow start, we've been stuttering along with the odd nest - 3 nests spread out over the full 14.5km of beach. And then this morning, 2 newly laid nests within 500m of each other.

Unfortunately, they are on the short stretch that we are unable to protect fully, I'm just walking it every few days.

The first one we found was right in amongst some sunbeds, so we will need to add some extra protection.








The 2nd one was right at the end of the beach, in probably the nicest stretch of sandy beach in hania.





So that's us up to 5 now, and a turtle has been trying to nest in Tavronitis, so should be 6 very soon!

Location:Hania, Crete

Frustration....And Relief

So, as mentioned in my previous post, we've had one (we're guessing it's the same turtle as she left what looked like marks from a barnacle in the sand) making tracks at the Kato Stalos end of our beach for around 5 days. She eventually came up and laid her nest!

Here's a few photos of the tracks, these were taken by one of the current volunteers - Alex.
As you can see, in the first track, she walked into the sunbeds, before returning to the sea. This has been happening quite a lot already!

However, the sunbeds didn't stop her this time - she laid the eggs - all 143 of them, right in the middle of a block of sunbeds.

As the nest was too close to the sea, we had to relocate the nest to a safer position. 150m further down the beach is a wider spot, backed by trees. Hopefully this should be a good spot for the nest - I guess we'll see in 50 days!

I'll try to add some photos of the nest later, including some from the relocation - I forgot to bring my memory card, so can't add them now!

See ya soon,

Herb

Things are starting to happen!

So, we've been here for almost 3 weeks now, so I should probably update this.

Having arrived in Hania 2 weeks earlier than last year, things were a little less hectic this time.

We got camp up pretty quickly, a new bamboo roof was made over a few days, and last years emergency waterproofing makes an excellent mulberry protection sheet. It's also very cool underneath it, if a little dark. I call it the cave.

We've been doing morning survey since the 20th of May, and although we got our first nest on the 29th (which was on the Kolimbari beach), the first tracks on our main beach, HL, appeared this morning. Along with 3 sets of tracks on PR - which we cannot monitor every day because we can't afford the bus tickets!

The HL tracks went up to a set of sunbeds, and although she moved them slightly, they caused enough of a problem to stop her getting any further. A similar story on PR! This is frustrating, if they were stacked at night, our nest count could be up to 3 now!

Ah well, maybe tomorrow!

I'll update you all soon!

John

Location:Hania, Crete