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Thursday - Well turtle mating was in full swing today!

date: 9/10/2008
Author:Jenni Fox

CONDITIONS

Weather: Overcast | Air Temp: 26°C | Wind: E/NE 10-15 knots | Water Temp: 23°C | Water Visibility: 25m | Sea State: Calm

ISLAND LIFE

Critter Encounters:

Well turtle mating was in full swing today! Guests on the glass bottom boat were treated to turtles mating in front of them as they were snorkelling at second reef, so close that they could hear the shells scraping together!
All of the mating for turtles occurs in Late September/October – at this time all of the male turtles come into the Capricorn Bunker area and mate with the females that have migrated for nesting season. After a month of mating the males head on home and leave the females to the arduous task of laying her eggs. The female will actually lay up to 6 clutches of eggs and has the capacity to fertilised her eggs clutch by clutch, with about 2 weeks in between each fertilisation, all without any added input from the males – amazing!!!

During mating season it is common for females to get worn out and seek the refuge of shallow waters near the shore to rest. On rare occasions the male will follow the female to shore and both may be stranded on the outgoing tide. This has been happening quite often this year and guests are getting quite used to finding turtles on the beach recovering. Today we had a female (on the left) and male (right) waiting over low tide in pools on the reef flat.

While reefwalking this morning our young reef rangers discovered a bright yellow starry moray eel in an unusual position lazing on top of the coral. As they drew closer he gave a quick swish of his tail and disappeared into a coral crevice.

We are continually amazed by the growth of our red-tailed tropic bird chicks. The three oldest (ranging from 5-3weeks old) are now continually left alone by their parents as mum and dad both go out to feed to keep their growing adolescent fed.
With no predators on the island to speak of the young chicks are quite safe under their octopus bush protection.

The divers had fun in their underwater garden today, exploring Second Reef and Spiders Ledge and frolicking with Manta Rays, Eagle Rays, Bull Rays, schools of Trevally and Bat Fish, and the beautiful but toxic Lion Fish.

Green Turtle - Jenni Fox