Environment
Nests down, but hopes high as sea turtle season ends
There were far fewer sea turtle nests this year (4,816) than last year across the state (6,597).
Despite that, the people who oversee the volunteers for the S.C. United Turtle Enthusiasts along the Waccamaw Neck consider this year to be a “good” season.
“It was a relatively uneventful year. We didn’t have any drama. We didn’t have any storms. we didn’t have any renourishment,” said Rick Scott of Litchfield, the leader of SCUTE, which monitors nests under a permit from the state Department of Natural Resources.
North Litchfield and Litchfield Beach combined for 12 nests. Last year there were 13.
For the first time since at least 2008 Litchfield by the Sea did not have a nest. Scott said there was one false crawl.
Pawleys Island had 19 nests but lost one to coyotes and foxes. Last year, there were 30 nests.
Of the 2,209 eggs laid on the island, 1,734 produced hatchlings, which is a success rate of 85 percent.
Mary Schneider, who oversees SCUTE volunteers on the island, said any success rate above 70 percent is considered good. Eight-five percent is “really good.”
DeBordieu and Hobcaw Beach had 52 nests, which is four more than last year.
One nest, which was laid as Tropical Storm Debby was passing by in early August, has not hatched yet.
Mark Dupuis, who oversees the SCUTE volunteers there, said whether or not the nest hatches, it will be inventoried at the beginning of next week.
There are also a few nests that have not hatched in Huntington Beach State Park. The park had 33 nests this year, doubling last year’s total. One of this year’s nests was a Kemp’s Ridley.
Included in this year’s state total were three leatherbacks, two greens and two Kemps Ridleys, a critically endangered species. Greens are listed as endangered and leatherbacks as vulnerable.
Cape Island led the state with 1,246 nests. It recorded 1,561 nests in 2023.
The first nest of the season was April 29 at Garden City. The last nest was Sept. 9 on Folly Beach.
Along with having the first nest of the season, Garden City also had both of the state’s green sea turtle nests.
The first hatch was July 6 at Hilton Head. The last one was Oct. 6 on Edisto.
SCUTE volunteers will start walking the beaches at sunrise on May 1 for the 2026 season.
