Photo by CP&E, 21 April 2006

This is an update of a previous blog. The channel relocation project at Bogue Inlet, North Carolina, continues to evolve. The above photo taken in April shows that there has been a net accretion of sand in front of the southern half of the sand-bags that were erected to protect the houses. Here is an aerial photo (from Greg Rudolph) of the same area last March, showing the accretion of sand in front of the sand bags:

Contrast the above photo with a similar photo also taken by Greg Rudolph in September 2005 :

Currently, there is a dredge disposal project that is placing more material in front of these sand bags (see here for photos). Normally, dredging and nourishment projects are not allowed from April through November 15 in North Carolina, but a special exception was made for this and a few other disposal projects.

Thus, so far the channel relocation project combined with the dredge disposal project has resulted in a net sand gain in front of these threatened homes. It has also resulted in a net loss of sand from "Land's End" zone of Emerald Isle, which used to be preferred nesting habitat of sea turtles but is nearly entirely inaccessible to turtles due to the erosion cliffs that have appeared from the let loss of sand in the area. Stay tuned for photos.

Posted by Matthew Godfrey at 01:39 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Summertime in North Carolina means sea turtle nesting season, and that in turn means that there is a chance for me to see a nesting female somewhere along this state's 330+ miles of nesting beaches. In fact, since 2002 I have been lucky to have seen nesting female loggerheads on Bogue Banks, Bear Island, Onslow Beach and Bald Head Island (not to mention a nesting leatherback in Pine Knoll Shores in 2005). Even more exciting has been that all of these experiences were shared with others, which makes things more fun. Such is the case with last night, when I saw a large nesting loggerhead on Bald Head Island that we subsequently attached a satellite tag to. Michael Coyne and Amanda Southwood were there, as was Melissa Hedges, Nicole Saladin and many of the interns from Bald Head Island Conservancy. Even though it was late and the no-see-ums were out in full force, the shared experience was extremely positive. After we watched the turtle swim away in the water, we had a 20 minute brisk walk back to our carts and then a quick ten minute drive back to the house, with a setting moon that looked like a boat on fire over the water. Despite her 3:00am "dip" (see photo below), Amanda was electric during our post-deployment debriefing. Amanda suggested (and we all agreed) that turtle fieldwork on a beautiful island during the summer is something that should not be taken for granted.

Posted by Matthew Godfrey at 10:23 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)