Sue Wieber Nourse with Female Juvenile Terrapin
Day One of the 2010 Turtles of Cape Cod Field School kicked off with a fine start as six terrapins and one box turtle were captured by participants.Â
Field School Documents Terrapin Nester at Observation Deck
The morning started with an expedition to the Run to search for juvenile diamondback terrapins. But as field school participants meandered along Goose Pond Trail to reach the bay, they encounterd female Terrapin #1043 just completing her nest by the Observation Deck. Students watched as the turtle danced down the last few pats to finish off the nest.
Field School Documents and Protects Terrapin Nest
After she completed the nest, student scooped up Turtle 1043 to record her latest measurements and weight, and then turned their attention to her eggs and the nest which they protected with predator excluder cage.
Field School Hunts for Juvenile Terrapins in the Run
Sue Wieber Nourse scored the first capture of the morning with a beautiful female juvenile terrapin.
Matt Captures Male Terrapin in Run
Matt soon followed with the capture of the only male terrapin of the day.
Field School Examines Juvenile Terrapins
Before everyone turned their attention to processing and documenting captured turtles, they took a few moments to admire the juveniles and to snap some pictures of the experience.
Field School Has Fun with Calipers!
 But if you really want to have fun, pass around a very large set of calipers to measure these diminutive terrapins!
 
A great beginning to another exciting Turtles of Cape Cod Field School.