May 9--Nancy finds condoms and dog poop on beach

May 9th:  Once again, there was quite a bit of trash to be found on WB this morning.  I collected four bags of trash, including a balloon, a pair of shoes, lots of plastic wrappers and cups, as well as a used condom and the empty wrapper.  Yuck!  (The condom was scooped off the sand with a plastic toy shovel also found on the beach this morning.)  A lady actually stopped me to report her sighting of this particularly disgusting item.  She then said, "People are pigs!"  Ya think??  :)

In addition to the four bags of trash, the following items were taken to the trash cans:  One blanket and the empty half gallon of vodka next to it.  Can you say OUCH???  One large glass bottle; sandy contents unknown, three beach chairs, one towel, one shirt, and 1 1/2 pairs of sandals, and a partridge in a pear tree!

On the south end, I found a very large hole/trench that had been dug up the side of the dune, under the roped off area, and into the bird sanctuary.  This was very upsetting, and I could only hope the thoughtless people that invaded the birds' refuge did not cause any harm or the abandonment of a newly laid nest.   Ugh!!  This was later reported to Lindsay Addison of Audubon so she could assess the damage to the dune and any potential disturbance of the nesting birds.

Just before leaving the beach, a visitor from Tennessee saw me collecting trash near JM Pier and had the following to say:  "It is horrible how people here just trash this beach!  I can not believe folks just get up and leave behind all this litter.  I have had to clean the beach of trash before finding a spot to place my beach chair in the sand. "  Oh my.  Is this really the impression we want to make on our visitors?   

My last observation of the morning involved a lady on the beach with a German Shephard that was doing his business in the dunes.  She must have been in an awful hurry 'cause she didn't even bother to pick up after her pooch.  Double yuck!!

Here's to a nest very soon for WB!

Nancy

week 16--Dewi and Martha find 5 holes while subbing in zone 2

we collected 1 1/2 plastic bags of the usual trash. There were a number of holes in the sand and a massive hole come sand model of a ship; in fact 5 holes plus the ship!
Best Regards
Dewi and Martha

Susan Meets Kali Wali!! Week 16

What a morning at WB! I know, I know... I say that every morning there is picturesque ( and every one is). But the storm yesterday blew in a cool breeze and a blue sky, so the weather this morning was just ideal.

There really wasn't that much litter today, I am assuming this is also due to the storm yesterday. Normally, I collect litter in a plastic grocery bag and throw it away as I walk along the beach. I put reusables and recyclables in a large reusable bag. But this morning, I discovered that we didn't have any plastic grocery bags in my house. I thought I might find one at the beach to use-- but then I didn't. Hooray! So I just used my reusable bag to collect both trash and recyclables today. I walked my entire zone and only filled the bag halfway (equal to 2 grocery bags) so it was a good day. There were several holes that were large but not terribly deep. There was also an impressive sand alligator.

Items I collected included:

6 beer cans
only 1 plastic soda bottle (YAY)

1 cigarette box
2 lighters
1 empty chewing tobacco container
1 beaded bracelet
1 tube of chapstick
1 pencil
3 band aids
2 balloons

2 plastic shovels
1 toy car
1 toy Flounder (got me singing-- I love The Little Mermaid)
9 straws
8 stray socks (what's with all the socks??)
1 tee shirt
1 small plastic garbage can lid
numerous cigarette butts

1 red plastic Solo cup
2 Capri Sun pouches
13 bottle caps

1 pair of girl's flip flops
1 stray women's flip flop
1 small pile of assorted wipes, straw wrappers, bits of plastic, fish hooks, etc.

So when I left Wrightsville Beach today, I stopped by Great Harvest Bread Company on my way home. I often stop there, as they are one of my favorite local stores, and how can you possibly resist fresh bread, muffins and scones in the morning? Plus, all of the guys who work there are always so nice and helpful. After I made my selection and paid at the register, the man who had assisted me looked at my WBSTP tee shirt and asked, "So are you part of the sea turtle project?" I replied, "Yes I am." Then he asked, "Do you know Ginger?" I responded, "I most certainly do!" It turns out that the gentlemen who had assisted me were Sonny and John, both of whom I have read about on this very blog! They seemed to think it was funny when I gushed about KaliWali, and how I think it is great that they are down there on the beach every Monday morning. They suggested that I come out some time, and said that they both really enjoy talking to John and Ginger, whom they think are very nice people. (But we already knew that, of course!!)

Peace,
Susan
-- 
Susan Z. Miller
Freelance Writer and Editor
email: szmiller980@gmail.com
web: http://www.szmiller.homestead.com

week 16--christie sees a shark and holes in zone 0

I saw a dead 3 1/2 ft. shark in the surf yesterday morning. I collected 3/4 spackle bucket (1.5 bags) of garbage. There was a man digging a giant hole for his kids to play in & I let him know about the turtles and asked if he would fill it back in before they left.  He didn't know about the turtles and it looked like they were staying at Duneridge.  I am not sure if some of the postcards about the turtles are in there clubhouse, but I think it would be a good idea to put them there.

week 15--Kathleen H. continues to help Roscoe, the bird & she rescues a cell phone!

Picked up 1/4 bag of butts, 3 bundles of fishline, a cell phone that works (called the last called and left a message. Can't call the owner as I have his phone).  Just made arrangements with the "last called" to meet at Costco in an hour.  The things we do.  meanwhile also picked up a gal bag of beer cans; crushed or bent, a gatoraid.. left all the kiddie toys.. just too many, two flips and a flop, a torn up undershirt, panties ???, tampon applicator?????? that is scary!.  3 holes between access 40 and 38.. still not filled in.


Roscoe.  wiley bird.. Fed him.. cat food laced with fish oil.. no more anchovies.  This way he associates me with food.  He is a first winter herring gull.  saw a laughing gull this am.. anyway.. Lindsay and I will meet later tonight.  She is making a catch trap.


very adventurous summer..  
Kathleen

week 14--Michelle discovers lots of tents in zone 4

Hi All,


On August 3rd, Zone 4 was in pretty good shape.  Only one bag of trash and that was mostly cups and water bottles.  I did find a pair of toy "scuba fins" and two snorkels.  Only one large hole and three blue tents.  One of the tents had a yellow tag on it from the police.  Am wondering if the police took it down or was it still there on Thursday.  Sadly no more turtle tracks but am happy that we have our three nests.  Have a great week.  Michelle

week 14--Julie finds case of beer cans in zone 2

Hi, it’s Julie, subbing in Zone 2 this a.m.
No tracks…Darn.  Hot and still, very low tide and lots of trash.  We picked up three bags of the usual stuff: food wrappers, drink bottles, broken plastic toys, diaper, party remnants in front of the Holiday Inn (a Budweiser case and the empties – yep, all of them on the beach) and 5 socks.  Dragged two white plastic Holiday Inn chairs out of the surf and above the tide line.  Left about 4 pairs of flops…if they’re together and a pair and above the tide line, I’ll give them the benefit of the doubt and think they belong to a beach walker.  There was a large hole in front of the Holiday Inn but my attempt to fill it in didn’t quite do the job.  Extremely scary about the California rescue of the teen in the sand.

week 13--K. Holly still trying to help Roscoe, the bird trapped in plastic---Thank you Kathleen.

Good Morning Ginger,  I couldn't see how to update but here goes.  Roscoe, the fledgling Eastern Gull, still has one leg wrapped in tangled fishline. The other leg is freed but the leg is damaged.  He can fly a few yards.  Lindsay, the Audubon ranger (ette), and I met last night to try to "bag" it.  We tried to lure it with chunks of bait.. outwitted us.  Saw it this am on my sub walk for Kym.  Fed him with muffin soaked in fish oil and anchovy oil..   T


Of course, got down to paying attention to tracks.  Some places are so messy, hard to read; truck tracks were fresh.. Wish a sand Zamboni would clean up the beach.


Yesterday and today, I picked up 5 gal bags.  Lots of those wipes; too many, 3 dirty diapers, a panty liner??, 2 tee shirts, i broken chair, 8 kiddie sand toys (gave them all away), great scuba googles (gave that away), 2 separate sneakers, 1 sock, 14 water bottles, many caps, parts of tags, candy wrappers, too many butts (cig). 2 plastic net bags that held kiddie toys (the kind that get snagged over turtle's heads).  


Yesterday am I found 3 single camping tents with "doors" closed.  There were empty gator aid bottles and lots of other trash around the tents..  Called the police.. saw them talking to "campers".  Campers were still on beach when I came back from walk.  Don't know outcome.


This am came upon 3 HOLES.  The other day I saw kids digging one and asked them to fill it in.  The half-did it.  This am 2 more.  I have asked the DPW guy I saw last week to fill in a different hole and he didn't .. This is frustrating too.  There are 3 holes between the last lifeguard station in zone 5 to Oceanic Pier.  We need a sand zamboni... 


Am frustrated this morning and disheartened. .. Poor Roscoe.. he wouldn't be in this predicament if people didn't leave plastic line and other debris behind.  


We are still finding too much trash.  I agree with other volunteers.    
Kathleen

week 13--K. Holly still finding holes in zone 5

Ginger,  alas, no tracks,  am covering for Kerri tomorrow and Kym on Sunday.  So we'll hope a mom decides she has eggs to lay.  Would love to have a nest.  


RE the trash.. light today.. a nude Victoria's Secret 34B strapless, a pink dirty diaper (the others have been blue), a big plastic box filled with lures and hooks; rusted, a handful of butts, some straws, bottle caps and that was it.  


The holes I reported are still there.  No sand zamboni..  I filled in one a child dug.. 
Kathleen

week 13--Kym finds a Huge Shark's Tooth in zone 5

lots of holes - one with boxers and thongs present (eeeehhw), 1 bag trash, 1 bag recyclables, 1 bag treasures- 2 frisbees, surf wax, one gigantic sharks' tooth, 2 pieces of sea glass & a collection of army men!

Nancy Fahey finds an IPOD!!!

Hi Ginger,

I subbed in Zone 0 on Saturday, 07/09, for Karen Blake and crew.  I picked up about 1/2 a grocery store size bag of trash.  

I am sorry for reporting the following so late, but here goes:

Trash collected in Zone 5 on 06/04:  1 grocery store sized bag of trash consisting mostly of cans, bottles, and food wrappers

Zone 5 on 06/11:  1 1/2 grocery store size bag of trash consisting mostly of cans, bottles, and food wrappers, once again.  The treasure for the day was an ipod!

Zone 5 on 06/18:  About 1/2 grocery store size bag of trash.

July 4th:  I checked both nests throughout the weekend on Saturday, Sunday, and Monday.  On Monday evening, I walked the length of both Zone 1 and Zone 5.  I collected about 2 bags of trash in Zone 5 and reported two abandoned beach canopies in front of lifeguard stand #13.  There was a lot more trash out there, but I was anxious to check on the nest in Zone 1, so did not try to collect it all.  

In Zone 1, I collected about 1 1/2 bags of trash, plus a styrofoam cooler lid and plastic bag that blew up into the dune right next to our beautiful nest.  :(    I also reported an abandoned beach canopy frame, (AKA; skeleton), left behind in Zone 1.  In this zone, particularly, there were zillions of huge holes left behind on the beach, many right at the tide line.  

And that about wraps it up, for now!

Have a great week,
Nancy

week 10 Wicked Clouds & a Skeletal Bone by Susan

Well, I've had 2 crazy weather adventures 2 weeks in a row. I'm on a roll! This morning was really quite amazing at WB. When I arrived, it was looking rather threatening. Then the sun came out while I was walking my zone. I made it to the end at beach access #32, when it poured very hard for only about 60 seconds. On my return trip the weather varied wildly between sun, then clouds, then seriously black clouds with thunder and lightning. I know the weather changes quickly on the coast here, but sheesh!

One neat thing about the weather was that it made for some cool cloud formations and awesome shell hunting.

I did, however, complete one full walk of my zone, then go back and look for shells just so that I wouldn't be distracted the first time around!

The two areas with the most litter in my zone this morning were right around Johnnie Mercer's Pier, and at beach access #29. (There is a large hotel at this access, but I am not sure what it is called.) There was just so much litter in both of these spots-- really overwhelming amounts. I collected one full bag of trash at each of these spots, then a third bag through the remainder of my zone. I also filled my reusable bag about 3/4 full, which is equivalent to 3 bags of recyclables. Large items that I took to the trash right away included some sort of large plastic horn, 2 broken shovels, and 1 tee shirt.

Recyclables today included 2 beer bottles, 11 plastic water/iced tea/soda bottles, 5 beer cans, and 8 plastic sand toys.

I discarded my trash at the beach today rather than bringing it home and sorting it, so I'm not sure about the counts there. However, there were an awful lot of plastic water bottle caps.

And it felt like I was picking up another straw every time I turned around. There were so, so many straws, and lots of other plastic litter today as well, such as these bracelets. I am not sure what these are from, but there were several of them. This one had green smiley faces on it, but the majority of the ones I found were neon orange.

The most interesting thing I found today was what I at first thought was a large piece of plastic. However, upon further inspection I discovered that it was a bone from some sort of marine animal. It smelled highly unpleasant.

-Susan

week 10 Michelle HUGE HOLES!!!!

Good July 6TH from Zone 4,


I expected to find more trash this morning because of the holiday, and was I ever right.  FOUR bags full of trash, which is a record day for me! Beach towels, chairs, plastic toys, flip flops, a mans shirt, cigarette lighter, 4TH of July sparklers, water bottles, aluminum cans, straws, two boggie boards, 42 cigarette butts, and an amazing amount of litter!


There are TWO HUGE HOLES between the Oceanic and the water tower.  One is so deep that they have a ramp to walk down into it.  There was a beach chair in the bottom of the hole next to two shovels.  Several Bud Light beer cans around the top of the hole.  That hole is so deep that when I stood in it I could not see out.  I am 5'5"!  The other hole is so deep that even though the tide was out, there is still water in the bottom.  Please be careful and don't fall in these holes!!!


Also a lot of trash under Crystal Pier.  Lots of restaurant receipts, chairs, and a key to "room 301".  


The more trash I found this morning, the harder I looked for turtle tracks.  Unfortunately, there were none for me.  Let's keep looking and not give up hope:)  Michelle

week 10 Dick & Linda -Party in Zone 1

Four of July
    Dick and Linda Chapman, Rich and Tripp Chapman and Sabrina Richter

    There was a large party last night on the beach just as you enter the access for walking Section 1 near the Shell Island Resort.  (I guess we weren't invited!)  Apparently there were no police beach patrols because there were a lot of beer cans and remains of fireworks including the boxes and bags they came in.
    There was a huge hole that has been dug midway down the beach.  Dick notified the life guard at 8:30 when he and the kids went down to the beach.
    We had 7 bags of trash.

I hope you are having a wonderful 4th of July!


Linda Chapman

week 9 John & Ginger--We are all "beams of light"

Hello Sunshine!!!

John and I had a beautiful sunrise as we entered Zone 4.

We encountered a HUGE hole in front of life guard stand 10.  I did not climb inside and you cannot tell from this picture, but it probably came up to my chest!!!  It was huge.  The scary thing is that as I was standing there looking at it, I could see sand falling from the walls.  You might ask "why is that scary?"  Well, because from research we have done in the past, we know that holes made from sand are the most unstable and dangerous according to engineers.  The sand can collapse at any time trapping any person or animal that is inside.  If the hole is near the tideline (which this one was), the sand can act like quick sand and make it incredibly difficult to dig someone out.  We also know that there are accounts of people being trapped in sand almost every year causing emergency crews to be called onto the scene.  In fact, 60% of victims trapped in sand holes die (a very dangerous scenario indeed).

So, while I was standing there watching the sand fall, it made me shiver to think that someone may crawl into that hole.  Unfortunately, I did not have time to fill it in, but since it was in front of the Life Guard Station, I felt certain that they would take the time to fill it in and protect everyone's safety on the beach.  A thanks to all life guards who keep our beaches safe---please let everyone know that there is a town ordinance requiring beach goers to fill in their holes before they leave the beach.  Any turtle or human falling into such big holes would surely be injured, if not worse!

Farther south, we spotted a sea turtle sand sculpture.

And then we spotted what seemed to be the makings of a Castle.  As you can see from this picture it is a very large castle with large moats around it---Again a dangerous obstacle for sea turtles and humans.  The mound of sand that formed the castle was so large we had to walk around it---as large as some of the natural sand dunes on WB.  Obviously, we all have more and more education to do.

Closer to Crystal Pier, we found a kite that was tied to a pole and it was "high flying".

And of course as we reached the Pier, I could hear a flute---it was beautiful.  I knew it was Sonny, John and Jesse.  Sonny informed me that his band, Transtrum would be playing on Castle Street July 8 & 9 for the Sea Turtle benefit.  Sonny also informed me that "transtrum" means "beam of light" and he said "we are all beams of light".  I love that---thank you Sonny.

We collected a total of 6 bags of trash which included:
11 butts
8 plastic bottles

4 plastic cups
7 toys

2 balloons
24 straws

4 plastic bags

3 ziplock bags
2 cans
1 cloth napkin
1 shoe
2 hair bands
13 bottle caps

1 cigarette package
4 plastic lids
1 pacifier
lots of paper and plastic bits

Also, as we were boating the weekend before, we pulled two more plastic bags out of the water, so I am adding those to our numbers.

week 9 Michelle wishes Everyone a Happy July 4th!! and a warning to watch out for HUGE HOLES on the WB

Cool sand and a beautiful sunrise greeted me this June 29Th morning in Zone 4 after an early morning thunderstorm:)   I collected one and half bags of trash.


-  39 cigarette butts
-    2 cigarette lighters
-    1 can of Skoal
-    1 plastic shovel
-    1 plastic rake
-    2 chap sticks
-    1 mans sock
-    3 water bottles with tops on
-    1 HUGE sand castle
-    1 HUGE hole
-    3 small hole
-    3 hair bands
-    2 plastic shovel handles
-    1 large zip tie that had a loop already in it:(


Tons of little pieces of paper and plastic.  It is amazing how quickly it all adds up.  Have a great day and a safe 4th of July to you all.  Michelle

week 8 John & Tammy zone 2

Ginger,
            I apologize for the delay in getting our email to you. Tammy and I walked Zone 2 on Saturday, the 25th, and collected two plastic grocery bags of trash and one grocery bag of beach toys. We also saw quite a few holes that were too large to fill without some sort of tool.

John

week 8 Michelle zone 4---shoulder deep hole

Good Morning,


Today is June 22.  It was an absolutely beautiful morning:)  AND not only was the weather perfect, but there was only one bag full of trash.  Here is what I found at Zone 4.


-  1 sunglasses
-  1 boogie board
-  9 cigarette butts
-  1 toy football
-  1 plastic shovel
-  1 small metal garden shovel
-  1 plastic crab
-  5 plastic bottle tops
-  1 water bottle
-  1 Sprite can
-  1 broken pair of men's flip flops
-  1 HUGE TENT, CHAIRS, BOOGIE BOARD
    (There was a sign on it that said it would be picked up if it was there after 6AM.)
-  1 DEEP hole just north of the Oceanic Pier.  It was "shoulder" deep on me!  
Lots of little pieces of paper and plastic. 

Week 7 A lesson on Crab Mating by Julie Nichols

I always like learning new things and so I appreciate the lesson Julie shares with us below.  I have a different and profound perception of crabs now  :)


Ginger,

Well here’s my education lesson for this morning:


CRABS – Reproduction
When male and female crabs reproduce, they assume the doubler position, which is when the male carries the female. Mating lasts about five-and-a-half hours, but the crabs may stay in this position for up to three days afterward.


My apologies to the crabs I disturbed.


I subbed Zone 4 this morning (Sat. 6-18) for Nancy Faye.  An absolutely beautiful morning for a walk on the beach – OK, so EVERY morning is a beautiful morning for a walk on the beach.  I picked up 1 grocery bag of trash – mostly food packaging, cups, etc., some fireworks debris, 2 spools of kite string, a pacifier, a few children’s toys, 2 full Budweisers. I filled in a few holes with the nice wooden-handled toy shovel I found and decided to keep in the trunk of my car for future early morning walks.


Possible suggestion for Blockade Runner – their trash can was overflowing, most of it appearing to be plastic drink bottles.  This sounds like a great spot for a recycle receptacle.


There were 2 people sleeping in the edge of the dunes just past the Blockade Runner. 


On my way back I climbed the Life Guard stand and watched pelicans skim over the water and a few fishing boats on their way to a great day of angling. What a view!!  Also a great view for looking for tracks or anything that looks repetitive in the sand.


I also subbed Zone 4 Wednesday morning, gathering about 1/3 bag of trash that morning.
Julie

week 7 Kim Meyer and Celia zone 1

In Zone 1 for Sunday, June 12th, approximately 6 bags of trash were collected.  Several buckets and toys were also found.  My walking buddy, Celia and I placed them up by the lifeguard stand so perhaps they will be reused.  There are several large holes as well in that area.  Just hoping the buckets and shovels aren't used to contribute more holes!

We collected 7 water bottles and only 2 beer bottles.  You can tell when the heat starts taking its toll!  All the usual items were found today: discarded plastic bags, paper towels, handy wipes, wrappers, etc.  We did pull 2 beach towels and 1 blanket out of the sand as well. 

The trash cans close to the dunes appeared to be either empty or about 1/4th full.  However there were several around the major access points (Duneridge area) were cans were overflowing.  I hope they empty cans on Sunday morning otherwise there would be no room for sunbather's trash today.

We did find one woman on the beach with a black lab mix running wildly off-leash through the dunes.  Celia ever so politely spoke with the woman about the nests at CB that were destroyed by dogs.  The woman very politely thanked us for collecting trash on the beach, regained control of her dog, put the leash on and exited the beach.  The woman indicated she lived about a block from the beach which made me wonder how she did not know of the leash law and restricted months for which dogs could be on the beach.  Perhaps she was new to the area.  However it was one of the first things I learned as a pet owner living on the beach in the 80's.