First Hammetts Cove Terrapin Hatchling of 2013
Turtle Journal’s Sue Wieber Nourse found the first diamondback terrapin hatchling at the Hammetts Cove nesting site in Marion Wednesday morning.  Sue spotted an emergence hole at the bottom of stairs to the compacted gravel pathway leading to the community boat dock in the Cove development.
Hammetts Cove Nest in Hard-Packed Gravel Pathway
When Sue excavated the hole, she discovered shards of two hatchlings that had already emerged, two infertile eggs, three hatchlings that had been devoured by fly maggots while still in their eggs, and a lonely little hatchling workings its way to the surface.Â
Hard, Compacted Gravel Pathway Nest (and Hatchling)
This pathway had traditionally served as prime nesting habitat for diamondback terrapins in the Hammetts Creek estuary off Sippican Harbor. More recently, the pathway was compacted and graveled by the Cove development, creating a significant obstacle to terrapin nesting at this site. Still, tough old females can’t be easily discouraged and they continue to dig through sharp gravel and ground packed as hard as concrete. For 1/4 ounce hatchlings, though, tunneling back to the surface can be quite a feat. Usually, they must wait until drenching rains soften the sand above them.
Diamondback Terrapin Hatchling Carapace
When hatchlings linger in their pipped eggs and nest too long, fly maggots attack, devouring them before they can escape … as they did with three of this hatchling’s siblings. Lucky for this little baby, Sue was on hand to give it a boost to the surface, help it escape from the maggots and release it into the safety if the nursery salt marsh abutting Hammetts Creek.