Arriving early for our board meeting for FENWR, we drove down to one of my favorite places in the refuge, Deer Run Observation Deck. We walked down the path as we got close we saw a turtle on the side of the path.
Further up it looked like some kids had dug up the trail with sticks.
We continued to the deck, enjoying the nice breeze that comes across the marsh. Returning, I noticed an animal print among the footprints and drag marks from sticks. There were raccoon tracks around all the dug-up holes.
My blame for the mess on the path turned from kids to raccoons and turtles. This time of year turtles are laying their eggs in sand or sandy soil. My husband witnessed it on Presque Isle State Park just last Thursday. Many of the holes were snout-shaped (raccoon.) It was all coming clear. The raccoon was digging looking for the turtle eggs. We turned to leave and saw the turtle was back on the path with its (actually I can confidently call it a her) hind end down in a hole.
She froze and then tucked her head back in her shell. We left her alone and took a few more steps to see empty turtles eggs scattered in the grass. We put them together just for the photo. At first we thought they were small pieces of torn plastic.
We don’t know if the turtles hatched or if the raccoon ate them. I’m sure he ate some of them, perhaps even all of them.
We always find something interesting when we visit.
I took video of what the marsh at Deer Run looks like in June. The water plants have filled in so you don’t see much open water. We did see an eagle flying high over the ridge. You can see the video full screen if you click the icon on the right bottom of the player window. Hit Esc on keyboard to leave full screen.
