Turtles?

Babs1


Joined: 14/07/2008
Posts: 18

Message Posted:
17/07/2008 21:04

Good evening everyone,

Does anybody know if we"re able to see any turtles ,when we come on holiday in 2 weeks time, please? If so where?!

Thanks.

hammer


Joined: 09/12/2007
Posts: 115

Message Posted:
17/07/2008 21:07

Try Turtle beach on the tatlisu road there is a turtle project there

Babs1


Joined: 14/07/2008
Posts: 18

Message Posted:
17/07/2008 21:12

Ok, thanks.

Can we just turn up ,or do we have to book in?

Any time of day too?

Perry


Joined: 27/01/2007
Posts: 413

Message Posted:
17/07/2008 21:23

You certainly can - right time of year too. If you go to Alagadi Beach (Turtle Beach) in the afternoon the students will come down at approx 6pm (they wear red T shirts) and will excavate a nest. You will see the hatchlings coming out of the sand and released into the sea - it is fantastic. I believe they do this pretty much daily except sundays (although it is obviously down to nature as well !!)

There is the Turtle Station (called the Goat Shed ) on the track to the right between Alagadi village and the beach. Web site has the information as follows: http://www.seaturtle.org/tracking/

come_on_aylin


Joined: 14/06/2008
Posts: 908

Message Posted:
17/07/2008 21:48

For information on turtle nesting/hatching call Graham Mumby, the Project Leader, on 0533 846 3175

Hilltop



Joined: 28/04/2008
Posts: 636

Message Posted:
17/07/2008 21:52

The aquarium at Protaras is a good bet, and a lot more comfortable.

Perry


Joined: 27/01/2007
Posts: 413

Message Posted:
17/07/2008 21:53

Not quite the same......

Hilltop



Joined: 28/04/2008
Posts: 636

Message Posted:
17/07/2008 22:13

But a lot more certain, and less likely to disturb the breeding turtles/babies....but hey, as long as you are happy!

Perry


Joined: 27/01/2007
Posts: 413

Message Posted:
17/07/2008 23:16

Mmmm Hilltop.... The Turtle project is run by a team of Marine Biologists (mainly from Exeter university). The purpose of the project is to protect the turtle's nests, and monitor the hatchlings. The unearthing of the nests is highly supervised and the baby turtles are gently assisted out of the sand and cleaned by the biologists. They are then released on the shore line where they shuffle themselves into the sea. This significantly increases their chances of survival - as the journey down the beach is when they are most likey to be taken by preditors such as gulls and ghost crabs. The venture is already yielding an increase in both Green and Loggerhead Turtle populations.

It is a great thing to see - and people on the beach who are lucky enough to watch generally contribute (as these guys are completely unfunded).



This is marine conservation exercise which is a pretty rare thing to witness in the wild - in fact it is limited to just a few locations worldwide. You refer to a trip to the zoo !

mint1955



Joined: 30/05/2007
Posts: 988

Message Posted:
17/07/2008 23:33

The students are really lovely lot. We went onto the beach overnight with them to see turtles laying. But in the next few weeks the hatchlings are due to start if they havnt already so its a really busy time.



If you are there for longer they really do need volunteers more permanately as they are short handed this year.

Sheila&Phil

Geoff


Joined: 25/06/2008
Posts: 1370

Message Posted:
18/07/2008 08:17

Loads of turtles this week at Palm Beach (G.Magusa), mainly in the mornings.

Both Loggerhead and Greenback varieties there.

Littlenige



Joined: 24/12/2006
Posts: 3594

Message Posted:
18/07/2008 09:31

Why not go scuba diving with jono from cyprus under water explorers



http://www.cyprusunderwaterexplorerscom



You will see turtles in their natural enviroment as I and many others have

come_on_aylin


Joined: 14/06/2008
Posts: 908

Message Posted:
18/07/2008 11:47

Had a text this morning to say that the 1st public release of hatchlings is tonight, Alagadi Beach, 17.30. Best bet is to get to the goatshed a little before then to join the students before they walk down to the beach.

Notsoboredhw


Joined: 15/03/2007
Posts: 1254

Message Posted:
18/07/2008 12:00

Hi Come on aylin is there a website we can log onto to see whats happening at what times - we are over in a couple of weeks too and would love to see the turtles hatching and I am sure our boys would love it. Do you know if they will be hatching in two weeks-three weeks time?

Mr Gadget


Joined: 25/06/2008
Posts: 6

Message Posted:
18/07/2008 13:06

Hi try this link, hope it helps.



http://www.whatson-northcyprus.com/whatson/events/annually/turtles/dairy-2008/diary-jul12.htm

ianwfs


Joined: 08/01/2008
Posts: 563

Message Posted:
18/07/2008 13:26

We're in the overlap period with nesting and hatching at the same time.



For nesting, numbers are limited, and it's essential you pre-book at the goat shed. It's suggested that if you are on holiday, you call in early on your visit to book for a later date. Numbers are limited to around 10. Obviously it's luck of the draw if you see any nesting. Bear in mind that you will be left on the beach while the volunteers look for nesting turtles, so be prepared for a wait on the beach. Also, it can get a bit chilly after midnight on the beach, even at this time of year. You may get lucky and see a nesting turtle fairly early on, but you may have to wait all night.



Hatching is a bit more predictable, as the students will have nesting dates, so can calculate hatching dates. There's no need to pre book for hatching. It's either going on or not.



In addition to the link above, you could check out http://www.whatson-northcyprus.com/whatson/events/annually/turtles/nesting_info.htm for nesting, and http://www.whatson-northcyprus.com/whatson/events/annually/turtles/hatching_info.htm for hatching.



Also keep an eye on the various buellitain Boards, as the dates of hatching are often announced. I think this year, though, it would be fairly safe to say there will be some hatchings most nights.



Ian

Notsoboredhw


Joined: 15/03/2007
Posts: 1254

Message Posted:
18/07/2008 13:35

Thanks Mr. Gadget and ianwfs - that information is great.

come_on_aylin


Joined: 14/06/2008
Posts: 908

Message Posted:
18/07/2008 13:48

Last year, there was a poster in Lemar in Karakum saying whether a hatching would be taking place. If you want to be sure then you can phone Graham Mumby, in the afternoon, on 0533 846 3175. He has asked that his number is made known as the one to obtain turtle info (wouldn't have printed it otherwise).

Perry


Joined: 27/01/2007
Posts: 413

Message Posted:
18/07/2008 17:41

Nicky - We went to the goatshed and walked down last year et etc. However - it was still incredibly hot and we noticed that most people simply joined the hatching from the beach. This year I think we will find out the days they are unearthing and simply spend the afternoon and evening on the beach - you cant miss the students when they come down to the beach - and we will join the party from there. My children thought it was amazing - I am sure yours will too. Valley View Taverna is a good place to eat afterwards !

Notsoboredhw


Joined: 15/03/2007
Posts: 1254

Message Posted:
18/07/2008 17:58

Thanks Perry will definitely do it and have written down Graham Mumby's phone number - we will give him a call when we arrive. Thank you . Have a nice weekend everyone

Stewart


Joined: 19/07/2008
Posts: 1107

Message Posted:
19/07/2008 12:24

Hatching with a free guided tour is always notified / posted on the front window of Lemar's supermarket ( Alagadi beach )