terrapins in South Jersey risk their lives

[dogg57]

Diamond-back terrapin turtles are salt-water marsh turtles that lay their eggs on high ground adjacent to the marshes from May to July. Unfortunately the high ground is usually the causeways leading into the barrier islands, meaning the turtles are crossing the roadways at the peak of tourist season, with many of them being hit by passing vehicles. Turtle researchers from the Wetlands Institute on Stone Harbor Boulevard in Middle Township, are on patrol this time of year mending barrier fences and rescuing turtles before they are hit on the roads.

http://www.pressofatlanticcity.com/...cle_8e0265c8-922c-11e0-b8d5-001cc4c03286.html

 

[Boyd]

That is interesting. I drove through the Tuckahoe WMA on Gibson's Creek Rd a few days ago and couldn't believe how many turtles I had to stop for as they crossed the road on the causeway. It was quite a sight.

 

[46er]

I remember as a kid going on vacation to Wildwood each year and the numbers of them crossing the GSP. The Forsythe NWR in Oceanville (Brigantine) also sees a lot, their nest sites get flagged by the refuge so they don't get squashed.

 

[manumuskin]

once while swimming/walking and wading out to egg island point the diamondbacks were so thick I was walking on their carapaces crossing the streams and had to actually play hopscotch to keep from walking on them on land.They were coming out of the bay by the thousands onto the beaches to lay eggs,between them and the horseshoe crabs there was hardly any place to set down your foot.

 

[Boyd]

between them and the horseshoe crabs there was hardly any place to set down your foot.

I saw a few of the horseshoe crabs crossing the road as well the other day. Or at least, I think that's what they were?? At first glance, they looked kind of like the early stage of development of the creature in "Alien".

BTW, for those of you who don't usually venture south of the AC Expressway, here's the area I'm talking about - it's worth a visit sometime. The road is about a 6 mile loop that is accessible in a normal car, especially with all the dry weather we've been having. You could enter from Rt 50 on Gibson's Creek Rd here: http://maps.njpinebarrens.com/#lat=39.35047731134923&lng=-74.75531101226807&z=16&type=topo&gpx=

Just follow the road and you will come out on Schoolhouse Lane here: http://maps.njpinebarrens.com/#lat=39.30511439469545&lng=-74.75850820541382&z=16&type=topo&gpx=

 

[46er]

I've been there many times Boyd. A great birding spot. Kathy Clark of the NJ Endangered Species program has her office there, or she used to.

 

[Hewey]

I have yet to see a Diamond-Back crossing the road but I have seen them while exploring islands in the Barnegat Bay.

Chris