San Pancho and Turtle News from Costa Verde Ecological Group Frank Smith - Costa Verde Ecological Group
August 6, 2021

Hola Volunteers and Supporters

What happened on the morning of July 2nd between 1:00 to 7:00 AM was somewhat remarkable? Rain, about 6 inches, pounded down on us nonstop for six hours. By ten o’clock we drove out on the beach to evaluate the damage, if any. What we found was a little surprising, the sea was a muddy brown color for over mile out, somewhat unusual. The beach itself was covered with all the lagoon’s aquatic plants, but what’s even more remarkable was the large number of huge tree limbs, logs, and floating debris from either River Ameca and/or the river out of Sayulita, maybe debris from the road construction.

A large flashflood ripped an opening in the mouth of the lagoon, about 500 feet wide, spewing tons of green aquatic plants everywhere along our beach. On the other hand, we were lucky, the ditch out of Los Olas did not open or cut the beach, for once.

Turtle wise: Since May 1st we have recorded over 134 nests. This record high number is a serious indicator that the 2021 season may be one of the largest nesting seasons in years, while only 6 nests had been taken by poachers.

We are exceptionally indebted to the July donors: Shari Margolin, Karen Hope, Jennifer Nelsen, Gale Greer, and Brian Culligan. To donate go to Grupo Ecológico's PayPal portal. Because of the pandemic, we have no other way of obtaining donation except PayPal, so help if you can.

Weatherwise, daytime temperatures have been in the mid- to high-80°, while nighttime temperatures have been in the low to mid-70°. Total rainfall for July was 19.14 inches, a near record for June/July. The year-to-date amount is 26.83 inches. At sea there had been many tropical storms, depressions, and hurricanes, although none of them have affected our weather in San Pancho. It is raining almost every day, the beach sand is like a full sponge.

We would like to thank our July volunteers: Karen Sorum, Hallie Loveridge, and Matt Steiniger. The volunteers that returned home in July are: Ophélie Chappuis, Kenza Pierruse, Julia Gosselin, Steve, Isabelle, and Linnea Nelson, Cartouzou Julien, and Tiffany Burguion. Volunteers arriving in August are: Florent Millat, Laura Woods, Paislee Benyo, Jenny Harley, Sean, Jenifer, and Max Rule, Kessy and family of five, Lucinda Smedley and Linda Samuel, Katie Grant, Carol Harootunian and Esteban Millard. We have enlisted over 45 volunteers this season from five countries.

A cry for help is coming from our hatchlings. “Please don’t dig us up and place me in a box for hours, I am a hatchling not a toy. I want to swim out to sea as far possible while I still have enough energy in my body. Let me go out to sea naturally as my brothers and sisters have for millions of years, I do not want to be part of Eco-Terrorism for a donation.” Please let me go free.

Also, any bright lights shining on the beach will distort the hatchlings’ sense of direction and cause them to move in the wrong direction away from the sea. Remember, low wattage, orange, amber, dark yellow and light red lights can be purchased at the Home Depot. Installing colored lights will also make your yard look more attractive than white lights. We would like to thank the few beach residents that have changed their lights.

Except for a few minor repairs, over the past six months the dune buggy has been running flawlessly, not once has it needed to be pulled off the beach or fail to start. Nevertheless, it needs a rebuilt transmission as soon as possible, as reverse is going out.

Frank Smith, Director
Grupo Ecológico de la Costa Verde, A.C.
Email: grupo-eco@project-tortuga.org
Website: Project Tortuga
Facebook page: San Pancho Marine Turtle Project
Tel. 311 258 4100

This content was submitted by a member of the community. We'd like to hear from you, too! To share stories, photos, video or events, please send them here.

  Learn about Grupo Ecológico de la Costa Verde