Harbor Island Sea Turtle ProjectHarbor Island is a barrier island in the low country of South Carolina and is a private residential community located between Charleston and Hilton Head Island. The island has three miles of beach on which Loggerhead Sea Turtles come to nest. The turtle nesting season runs from May through October. Loggerhead Sea Turtles are on the list of "threatened" species in the United States and "endangered" worldwide. It is the South Carolina State Reptile.
Harbor Island has had and increase in nests each season over the last few years. There are approximately 25 volunteers who participate in the Harbor Island Project and each morning volunteers go out at sunrise to search the beach for turtle tracks and nests All nests are monitored until they hatch and data is submitted to the SC Department of Natural Resources and SeaTurtle.org. The Harbor Island Sea Turtle Project, Inc. is a non-profit oranizaton. |
Hatchling headed to the ocean
Turtle Tracks
Female who nested during morning hours. Photo by John Fisk
