The famous "Madame X", a sea turtle nesting on Topsail Island.

Flippers
(A Musical)

Act I

Place: A deserted beach on Topsail Island.
Time: May through August; well after sunset, but before dawn.
Cast of Characters: Mama sea turtles.
Cue music: “Thriller” (Michael Jackson, Rod Temperton)

It’s after midnight, and silently I struggle to the shore
Tonight the moon’s bright, I must be careful, more so than before
Is this my beach? I think that I was born here years ago
My flippers reach, I smell the sand and know I’m home
But I’m so all alone

Chorus

Now I’m here nesting, it’s my big night
And there’s so few of us I’ve got to get this
Thing just right
I must deliver, these eggs to be mid-wifed
And make a place where they’ll be safe, they are
Our future life

This beach looks different, was it so long ago that I was here?
Where did the dunes go? It seems that suddenly I’m filled with fear
I’m on a mission, no matter what I must stay in this race
I struggle on, and make a nest where I know that
My babies will be safe

Chorus

I’m so exhausted, all my strength is gone
Still I must disguise this place, must hide it
From the human race
Back out at sea now, the waves come crashing down
I must take some time to rest so I can do this
All over again

Act II

Place: A nearly deserted Topsail Island beach.
Time: May through August; dawn – early morning.
Cast of Characters: Topsail Turtle Project Volunteers.
Re-Cue music: “Thriller”

It’s early morning, I walk this stretch of beach that I patrol
It’s nesting season, when turtles start to lay I’m on a roll
I look for tracks, for signs a nesting mama came ashore
I’m trained to act, when I find a nest was laid, I call
To make sure that it’s saved

Chorus

For our sea turtles, I walk our shores
I’m trained, have real keen eyes, I keep my focus on the prize
Protecting hatchlings, dedicated to the cause
For those I find I pray, that they will be the ones
To make their way

Act II

Place: A quiet night on a Topsail Island beach.
Time: July through October.
Cast of Characters: Topsail Turtle Project Volunteers.
Re-Cue music: “Thriller

It’s two months later, that turtle mama’s work is on the verge
The nest is boiling, and all at once the hatchlings all emerge
In silent wonder, I stand near should they need a guiding hand
Into the surf, their trip is long and dangerous
I’ve done all that I can

Chorus

It’s such a thriller, to be involved
With something so rewarding, so important, a great cause
It’s such a thriller, it’s critical, that we
All band together to ensure there’s always
Turtles in the sea
 
THE END
(Applause)

The curtain may have come down on our first turtle hospital musical, but the stage (our beaches) is set and ready for the real drama (nesting season) to begin.

Our island has been an active nesting place for sea turtles, mostly loggerheads, for as long as the sand has been here. From May through August, Topsail Turtle Project (TTP) volunteers make the commitment to collectively walk all 26 miles of the island every morning, with individually assigned stretches of a mile or less.

Our beach walkers enjoy the beauty of an unobstructed sunrise and the glorious sight of turtle tracks, indicating an overnight visit by mama. Not only are you playing a critical role in the survival of these magnificent animals, by the end of the season you’ll be fit, toned and have great looking legs (even the men!)

But finding a nest is only part of the fun for TTP volunteers. About 60 days later the hatching begins. As dangerous as it is for mama turtle to be on the beach alone, it’s even more dangerous for her “kids.” The little critters are defenseless, and that’s why our volunteers hover close by, giving Mother Nature a helping hand. They clear and ramp a path to the surf, re-direct wayward hatchlings and keep predators away.

Our dedicated volunteers experience something that only a very small percentage of the world’s population will ever see. There’s nothing like the feeling of watching these babies boil up from the sand and begin their journey.

Terry Meyer, our Director of Beach Operations is the guiding hand behind our Topsail Turtle Project. She’s put hours of effort into updating the training materials for our volunteers, including her newly minted power-point presentation on the wonderful world of sea turtles. We need your involvement in this project to ensure their survival. Assisted by her section coordinators, Terry brings many years of experience and dedication to this long-established and very successful program.

There are four training sessions scheduled for new volunteers (returning volunteers are welcome but attendance is not required.) The training dates are: Tuesday (4/8) 2-4 PM; Thursday (4/10) 7-9 PM; Monday (4/14) 2-4 PM and Wednesday (4/16) 7-9 PM. Training will be held at the Surf City Community Center (off J.H. Batts Rd.; landmarks are Docksider and Gilligans.)

You need only attend ONE training session. Volunteers must make a commitment to walk at least one day a week during the entire nesting (May-Aug) season. It is preferable that you also be available on as as-needed basis during the hatching season (July until the last turtle has left the island, usually October.) Of course, everyone wants to be on-hand when “their” nest hatches! TTP volunteers will be thoroughly trained, outfitted (in their distinctive T-shirts) and ready to roll on May 1st.

For more information you can contact Terry at: 910-470-2880.

Hospital closed until June
But you can still visit us on-line at: www.seaturtlehospital.org.

Questions or Comments about this column?
Contact me at: flippers@embarqmail.com

CLICK HERE FOR AN IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT FROM KAREN SOTA.