The Jersey Shore really comes alive during the summer months. People love escaping the City to spend time here in the beachy fresh air every year. In fact, hundreds of riders took advantage of the beautiful scenery last weekend to participate in Le Tour de Downbeach. Unfortunately for our terrapin population, this also happens to be their nesting season. In fact, it just started earlier this week. You may have even seen some turtles trying to cross the road recently. Follow these tips about how to navigate turtle time and keep our lovely tortoise friends safe.
Turtle Time at the Jersey Shore
Between now and early to mid-July, thousands of little mama turtles make the dangerous trek across the Causeway to lay their eggs on the beach. This also happens to take place during the busiest time of the year: our tourist season. An increased human population in Margate increases the threat of injury or death for these beautiful creatures. That means that we need to be hypervigilant while out and about. Keep an eye out for the Margate Terrapin Rescue Project’s bright yellow “Crossing Alert” signs, especially when they say “high alert”. Slow down. If you see a turtle on the roadways, stop when safe to do so, pick them up, and place them safely on the side of the road pointed in the direction in which they were headed. For a better idea of what to do and what not to do when you come across a turtle during nesting season, please read Bird and Moon’s infographic below provided by the Alongside Wildlife Foundation:
Volunteers Always Welcome
Margate Terrapin Rescue cannot be everywhere during turtle nesting season. They really appreciate their volunteers. If you wish to volunteer your time on the road patrol, visit the Citizen Science Volunteer Daily Road Patrol website to sign up. Volunteers must walk or drive around their assigned areas (preferably at high tide, when activity runs higher) for anywhere between 30 minutes and a couple of hours. They collect data on where they spotted turtles (alive, nesting, hurt, or deceased). Injured turtles should be taken to a permitted wildlife rehabber. Eggs found near a deceased terrapin go to either Stockton University or Wetlands Institute so they can incubate them. Volunteers receive instructions from the road patrol program as to how to handle either situation. It is not too late to volunteer your time. Contact the Citizen Science Volunteer Daily Road Patrol today to sign up for a date and time. And always keep your eyes open while out on our roadways this summer. Thank you!
Sherri Lilienfeld, Apex Prime Realty, Your Source for Jersey Shore Real Estate