I really did not have any great expectations about finding turtles given our recent lack of anything. So, it was a pleasant suprise when I came across a track on the north end of the survey area at around 1AM. It was a new turtle! I called Kelly and and she arrived just as the turtle started to drop eggs. Kelly took a blood sample for contaminant analysis and I proceeded to tag and measure her. She had some pretty impressive scars on her carapace that almost looked like she was entangled in something in the past. She was also in a rather bad mood, and I am still cleaning the sand out of our gear and MY EARS!
A nice gentleman approached me and asked what I was doing. He was suprised when I said I was a sea turtle researcher looking for turtles. He was even more suprised when he realized he was standing next to a giant leatherback! We chatted for a bit, and he asked if I could name the turtle for his daughters. I thought it was a good idea, so the turtle is now named Christina.

Unfortunately, I missed another turtle tonight! I surveyed the north end of the beach and was away for about an hour and 1/2 or so. Which is (apparently!) just about the time needed to crawl up the beach and sneak in a few dozen eggs!

Seems like the turtles are here again. We had a report from our friends up north that they have started to nest in Melbourne also. I am not one for guessing these things - but I am predicting three for tonight.