Turtle Patrol cleans 11th nest of season

By Shanna Fortier
| 4:00 a.m. July 30, 2014

The number of unhatched eggs in nest FB11 was high indicating that it was one of the mother turtles first nests. PHOTOS BY SHANNA FORTIER

Palm Coast Observer
Neighbors

A large crowd gathered Tuesday night for the cleaning of Sea Turtle nest FB11 located in between 26th and 27th Streets South.

The nest, which was the 11th nest laid and 11th nest to emerge, yielded 24 hatched eggs, 60 unhatched and unfertilized eggs and no live hatchlings. The nest was laid really early in the season, and Lori Ottlein, of the Flagler Turtle Patrol, said that the loggerhead turtle was likely a new mom laying one of her first clutches. This nest was similar to most of the nests surveyed so far this season.

The nest was adopted by Carol Katsolis.

“I learned nine or 10 years ago about turtle nest adoption, and I was so impressed with the volunteers,” she said. “They are such dedicated people, and I am very happy to adopt the nests every year.”

This year, Katsolis actually has five nests adopted: this one, which she adopted herself; one that was adopted in memory of her husband; one the Rev. Al Esposito; and two that friends adopted for her birthday.