Sunset Beach Turtle Watch
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SUNSET BEACH WEATHER
Sunset Beach 2025 Sea Turtle Nesting Season - 10 nests and 20 False crawls! (Updated 7/13/25)
Sunset Beach Tide Chart
ATTENTION VOLUNTEERS:
  1. DO NOT WALK ALONE. If you cannot walk on your scheduled day, ask someone on your team to cover for you. If no one in the group can walk, let your Captain know so she can get the walk covered. If you cannot reach them then call Carmel.
  2. Please be on the beach by 6 am or when it's light so you can see the tracks. Finish by 7 am. Do not walk if there is lighting, if there is a heavy rain, use your best judgement. In any case, please inform your Captain. Walk later when weather permits.
  3. When you begin your walk, you start at the high tide line and on your return walk near the water line. The reason for walking by the waterline is to note if there's a faise crawl. They must be reported. A false crawl is usually a U-turn and not far up on the beach.
  4. If a crawl is found, call your captain. If he/she cannot be reached, call Carmel (910-209-1079). One person in the group stays with the crawl and the others continue the walk. NO ONE IS TO DISTURB THE NEST UNTIL THE CAPTAIN GIVES INSTRUCTIONS! Group leader is to ensure the captain gets the report after every beach walk.
  5. For every crawl/nest found start an "Individual Nest Report" (see below). Remember to record your time and mileage for your turtle patrol and other turtle related activities using Track it Forward. If you need assistance with setting up "Track it Forward" text Gloria Fleming, (910-269-3859). Remember, for those who drive to the beach you count the time and miles from/to your house, not the miles you walk. It's important to record your time & miles-we spend volunteering because it is converted into dollars, which is used for the Wildlife Resources Commission for Sea Turtle Conservation.
IMPORTANT NUMBERS TO REMEMBER:
  • Lynn Eriquez - East - 910-376-1275
  • Darlene Kennedy - Bird - 910-207-1032
  • Kay Swenson - Central- 919-544-4464
  • Liz Waldron - Central -703-655-5251
  • Carmel Zetts Coordinator -910-209-1079
  • Track it Forward - Gloria Fleming 910-269-3859 - Trackitforward.com/site/nc-wildlife
Click HERE to view a detail listing of ALL EMERGENCY CONTACTS (PDF Format).
Click HERE to view Volunteer Application (PDF Format).

Volunteer Hour Tracking and Registration Guides
We use a tracking service called Track It Forward (located in your APP Store) for volunteers to log hours, see their previous hour entries, update their contact information, and view and register for trainings. All volunteers will need to create a Track It Forward account the first time you access these services. Below are how-to-guides to get you started.
Click HERE to submit your Volunteer Hours. Record your time spent working on weekly walking along with any other participating projects such as the market, programs, etc.).

Want the APP to track hours from your phone?
"Track It Forward" offers an APP for your phone to make it easy to log hours. You can download the APP from your APP Store and use your phone's browser to go to "Enter Hours" page and from the browser's menu "add to home screen" for a quick link on your phone.

SUNSET BEACH WALKERS - 2025
Click HERE to view the East End Walkers (5/2024) (PDF Format)
Click HERE to view the Central Walkers (4/2025) (PDF Format)
Click HERE to view the Bird Island Walkers (4/2025) (PDF Format)

IMPORTANT DOCUMENTS
Click HERE to view the NC Sea Turtle Project - Volunteer Handbook (Updated 12/2023) (PDF Format)
Click HERE to view the Code of Conduct for the NC Sea Turtle Nest Monitoring and Protection Project (PDF Format)
Click HERE to view the Sunset Beach Turtle Patrol Volunteer Reference Guide (PDF Format)
Click HERE to view the Sunset Beach Turtle Rules and Regulations (PDF Format)
Click HERE How to determine if it's real crawl (PDF Format).
Click HERE to view the We found a crawl, now what do we do? form (PDF Format).
Click HERE to view how to move a nest safely (PFD Format).
Click HERE to view sea turtle species identification (PDF Format).
Click HERE to view the Sunset Beach Turtle Patrol Presentation (PPT Format).
Click HERE to view the Sunset Beach Strand Ordinances (Chapter 95). (PDF Format)

How to Help Beach Nesting Birds

Coast Carolina Beach Nesting Birds
Click HERE to view a more information regarding how to help our local beach nesting birds (PDF format).
Click HERE to view a printable NC Birding Trail Map & Guide inside Sunset Beach! (PDF format).
Sea Biscuit Wildlife Shelter Newsletter - Sea Biscuit Wildlife Shelter is a non-profit wild bird rehabilitation organization located in Brunswick County,North Carolina and serving the surrounding areas. It was founded in 2007 to provide medical treatment forwild birds that are injured, sick, or orphaned.
Contact Sea Biscuit Wildlife Shelter's injured/sick bird line at (910) 294-2555.
Home About Us Programs Events Donations Turtle Facts Pictures Contact Us
Report turtle tracks, nest hatchings, sea turtle activity, injuries or strandings to:
CALL or TEXT: Sunset Beach Turtle Watch - 910-209-1079 or Sunset Beach Police Department - 910-579-6297 or 911
| P. O. Box 7745 Ocean Isle Beach, NC 28469 | sunsetcarmel@gmail.com | (c) 2024 Sunset Beach Turtle Watch