Update for Nov 16.

FYI - The STCB web page is now showing tracking data. The link is:

http://www.bonairenature.com/turtles/index.htm

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Dear Friends,

'Nautila' continues southbound, away from the Dominican Republic, and her destination once again is a total mystery. We can only assume that she knows what she's doing, as she's a big turtle and must have done this before...

'Schillie' is at Klein Bonaire, now closer to No Name beach, where she is due to lay another nest this weekend. Perhaps she too may start moving when she finishes her nest laying.

I will keep you posted.

Robert P van Dam

Project Director
Sea Turtle Conservation Bonaire

phone (599) 717 2225
cellular (599) 790 0433
email stcb@bonaireturtles.org
website www.bonaireturtles.org

P.O. Box 492
Kralendijk, Bonaire
Netherlands Antilles

"Sea Turtle Conservation Bonaire, local affiliate of the Wider Caribbean Sea
Turtle Conservation Network (WIDECAST), has been protecting sea turtles
through research, conservation and education since 1991."

Andrew,

Thank you so much for posting these daily updates.

What an interesting and exciting journey she is making. I'm completely hooked!

Looks like she is headed back to Bonaire...maybe she forgot something! LOL. Fascinating...totally fascinating. Carole

Update for Nov 17:

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Dear Friends,

'Nautila' continues on a directly south-bound track and is now some 100 km away from the Dominican Republic. She keeps us guessing - wrongly, most of the time - where she'll go next. 'Schillie' fortunately is more predictable and remains around Klein Bonaire.

Here in Puerto Rico we are facing extremely wet weather, causing many floods and so far making the planned turtle surveys at impossible.

I will keep you posted,

Robert P van Dam

Project Director
Sea Turtle Conservation Bonaire

phone (599) 717 2225
cellular (599) 790 0433
email stcb@bonaireturtles.org
website www.bonaireturtles.org

P.O. Box 492
Kralendijk, Bonaire
Netherlands Antilles

"Sea Turtle Conservation Bonaire, local affiliate of the Wider Caribbean Sea
Turtle Conservation Network (WIDECAST), has been protecting sea turtles
through research, conservation and education since 1991."

I do hope the weathers clears up for you to be able to continue with your surveys. Thanks again for the update....I still say Nautila left something at home on Bonaire and is on her way home to retrieve it! LOL. Carole

I just got back from PR last Saturday and 'extremely wet weather' is an understatement. We were in the Lajas area and a large area of pastureland is now a lake. Roads are flooded and many have been completely washed out in the hills and mountains. I ended up having to wade through knee deep water to get to the car several times and the area. Fortunately we were staying in La Parguerra and it was not getting runoff from a large area. On the fourteen, I was woken up before 6 am by thunder. The lightning was so continuous that it looked like a flickering flood light outside the window for over an hour.

PR is a great place to visit, the people are as nice and friendly as Bonaireans. They learned to drive in NYC though.

Update for Nov 18:

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Dear Friends,

From the strong transmitter signals received last night, 'Schillie' appears to have visited the beach of Klein Bonaire at No Name, attempting to nest. As this may be her last nesting effort of the season, we expect to see her make more significant movements in the next few days, should be very interesting.

'Nautila' continues on her voyage, still towards the south and now well away from the Dominican Republic. Her destination is now more of a mystery than ever...

Here in Puerto Rico, we will attempt to cross by boat to Mona Island early tomorrow, now that the weather is better. We will be putting transmitters on two nesting hawksbill turtles there too. Although communication may become difficult, I will try to keep you posted as much as possible.

Robert P van Dam

Project Director
Sea Turtle Conservation Bonaire

phone (599) 717 2225
cellular (599) 790 0433
email stcb@bonaireturtles.org
website www.bonaireturtles.org

P.O. Box 492
Kralendijk, Bonaire
Netherlands Antilles

"Sea Turtle Conservation Bonaire, local affiliate of the Wider Caribbean Sea
Turtle Conservation Network (WIDECAST), has been protecting sea turtles
through research, conservation and education since 1991."

Simply amazing. Carole

Andrew

How are Nautila and Schillie progressing? This is gripping stuff,

I was reading about it in the Bonaire Reporter this week, too....can't get enough of it, I can't! Carole

Sorry but I've had no updates from Robert van Dam since my last posting on Nov 18. Robert has been in Puerto Rico where he works on another turtle project. I think he is back today or coming back shortly.

I will be sure to post additional updates when available.

Andy

Thanks, Andy! Can't wait to see the latest progress report on Nautila and an update on Schillie, too! Carole