~ Newsletter No. 226, November, 2020 ~
Hola Volunteers and Supporters, it has been a busy month here at the Turtle project, here is a rundown of everything that has happened! ~
Turtle wise: The number of nests are in decline as they normally do in November, the total recorded nests for this month came to 104 which makes this season the fifth largest in 28 years. The number of nests recorded this entire season came to 1,047, while the poachers made off with about 4.2%.
Our estimated hatchling surviving per nest is 81.1%, providing that all nests hatch. The size of nests would be about 97 eggs. To find the number of hatchling released themselves this season we must make this calculation. 1,047 nests times 97 eggs per nest, times 81.1%, is a survival total of = 82,364 hatchling, but keep in mind this only an estimate.
It has been many years since a Leatherback placed a nest on one of our six beaches, but that is what happened on the 15th of November. Hopefully she will return to one of the other six beaches, perhaps three to six times, nesting about every nine days apart. Because the beaches are cold it may take up to about 90 days to hatch. The top of her nest is generally three feet deep in which she will deposit about 40 viable cue-ball size eggs. Also about this time a young Hawksbill turtle was brough in to us with a large 3” hook stuck in its mouth, it was removed by Julio, see all images below.
Most people believe that the Facebook’s “San Pancho Turtle” is Grupo Ecológico official business hub. Not true, we have been saddled with a communication dilemma for years, in reality “San Pancho Turtle” is only a local marine turtle information website, which leaves us out of the loop when it comes to receiving important messages. All-important business should be directed to our email at grupo-eco@project-tortuga.org or go to our website project-tortuga.org on the Home page go to the message box at the bottom.
November Volunteers: Karen Sorum and Hallie Loveridge, Juan Flores and family, Taylor Kimbell and Katherine Grant, Yanick Uirick, Susan Canale, Esteban Millard and Pauline Astete.
Unfortunately because of the pandemic we are not able to host large groups of visitors within the nursery facility, which regrettably leaves us without a good method of selling T-shirts or raising donations. We must do depend on PayPal as the only way of achieving that goal.
Throughout November we have received many donations and would like to thank each contributor for their help: Jack and Franny Bischof, Jennifer Burke, Karen Wilson, Gale Greer, Karen Bentley, Gregory Draper, Jennifer Nelsen, Lalo and Patricia, Cynthia klingberg, Michael Sproul, Joseph Sackey
Weather-wise: Temperatures during the day were in the mid 80°, while night time temps were in the low to mid to low 70°. Strange, 0.00 rain in November, while the total rainfall for the year came to 56.29 inches. Over the past two and half years we have received little to no tropical storm activities.
Town and country wise: The town is packed on the weekends, but very few of the tourist are from north of the border or from other country, but mostly from inland cities in México, the downside is, all restaurants, bars and shops are all open with very few people wearing facemask or keeping a safe distance. The Governor of Nayarit has ordered that everyone wear a facemask 24/7 in public.
From the golf course north looks more like a ghost town at night, while construction is at high point with many vehicles loaded with building materials and workers passing in front of my house. Despite several attempts to drain it the lagoon if remains filled to the max, The beach is slowly eroding from to the north with an eight foot cliff moving south.
The Corona virus is not responsible for a spike in cases as we are seeing now, a spike is totally caused by human carelessness and nothing else. Below are several tips on how to stay safe.
- The virus is primarily spread by fine droplets from the mouth or nose, if you cough, sneeze, or are crying, singing or boisterous you can, if infected spread the virus like wildfire. if possible keep your voice low and always use a handkerchief when coughing or sneezing.
- You are not protecting yourself and others if you’re not wearing a good face mask. Important, if you can blowout a small flame through the mask, it is no good one and will not protecting you or others.
- The minimum distance from others is six feet, although this is only a minimum safe distance, as far from others as possible is considerably better. Although when talking to others have the wind or breeze at your back.
- Wash your hands as often as possible, and keep your hands off your face.
- When shopping or visiting with others wear some sort eye protection along with a facemask.
- The virus falls to the surface so leave your shoes outside the house.
- For recreation or hiking, keep your trips to unpopulated areas, like a wild areas.
- It is a good idea to limit your trips, especially to public indoor gatherings, consider them to be extremely dangerous.
- To help your immune system try vitamin C, D3 Zinc and lot of good sleep. (Take Vitamin D3 in the morning.)
Frank Smith
Director.
Grupo Ecológico de la Costa Verde, A.C.
http://www.project-tortuga.org
Tel. 311-258-4100
Volunteer across Leather- Hook removed from Hawkbill turtle backs tracks Hawksbills mouth
Come Visit our Turtle Nursery!
Call in advance so we can prepare for your visit!
Please Note that we work at Night so Morning Calls May be Missed.
Grupo Ecologico de la Costa Verde
102 America Latina, San Pancho, Nayarit, Mexico Tel: 311-258-4100 Email: projecttortuga@gmail.com grupo-eco@project-tortuga.org |