Singleton Turtles 2024 - Update

This is the story of protecting Singleton turtles starting in 2007... 

Turtle Protection circa 2009. The turtle protection started in 2007 and used just one of the wood-vinyl screens for each nest identified. They worked well for for a couple of years and then the predators upped the ante. 

Turtle Rock in the eastern bay of Singleton Lake was getting busier each year with modest successes. 

Everyone Keeps an eye out for the nesting turtles... 

Nest Protection Strategy had to be increased by 2016. The increase in turtles and their nests probably attracted more predators who fancied fresh eggs. 

Motion Sensor Lights and Music, Steel Grates and Cement blocks...
The raccoons possibly enjoyed the soft lights and music to dine by... 

Northern Map Turtle Nest Protection Circa 2021 included doubling up and layering of screens.

This nest was protected along with about ten others in 2021. The area protected had to be increased as the raccoons started to dig more from the sides to get at the nests.

Now for the 2024 Turtle Update... It was a challenging nesting season for Singleton Turtles. Starting in late May through to mid-June, dozens of turtles of various varieties would be wandering around the property searching for just the perfect place to leave their precious cargo. 

There are ample locations to lay their eggs. Since 2007, I have tried sand and various gravel sizes to provide just the right habitat. The turtles are very good at hiding their nests. If I do not witness them laying the eggs, the nests are nearly impossible to find - unless you have a nose as good as a raccoon. My morning stroll around the Sanctuary graphically displays what I have missed. The carnage was brutal in 2024.

I started to use everything in my arsenal to protect a larger area around each identified nest. 

I had to almost throw in the kitchen sink to protect the turtles in 2024... 

The raccoons work at night after my bedtime. They have learned from experience not to show their masked bandito face during the day. 

Understandably, there may be lots of turtles at Singleton probably due to the successes of the past decade, but I wanted to do more... and the steel grates were heavy and getting heavier. 

Turtle Protection 2024 was not good as I only managed to protect seven nests. The predators were beating me badly. I had to try something else with new and improved nest protectors. 

Cross your fingers for 2025 as we approach two decades of turtle protection. 

Keep your paddle in the water,

Phil Chadwick