David Sikes

Peddling alone on the beach against a gulf breeze may not be the top reason I live in Corpus Christi.
   I'd rather be fishing most mornings, particularly when that breeze stiffens and slaps me in the face.
   But watching the sunrise near Bob Hall Pier is a great way to sort out the grief life dishes out and, in my case, ponder topics for this column. Sometimes, inspiration appears at our feet, or in this case, where the rubber meets the sand.
   Two beach events are fast approaching and I thought you might find them worthwhile. I do.
   Many of you already agree and accept that part of living on or near Padre Island involves protecting it. This responsibility can take on many forms. For those of us who embrace the notion of stewardship, all that's left is to choose our contribution.
   Welcome the ridleys
   According to Donna Shaver, resident sea turtle expert with the U.S Geological Survey at Padre Island National Seashore, it's almost time for Kemp's ridleys, and other sea turtle species, to begin laying eggs on the beach. In recent years, about 20 turtle nests have been found on South Texas beaches between April and July.
   About a dozen rare Kemp's ridley nests were found last year, thanks to the combined efforts of volunteers and PINS staff members. Reports from the public also aided in this effort. So it's not necessary to formally volunteer to help.
   Importance of volunteers
   But Shaver said her efforts would fall flat if not for volunteers.
   No telling how many turtle eggs - each clutch averages about 100 eggs - might have been lost to predators if not for the diligence of volunteers. Shaver's job is to incubate and hatch the eggs, then release the baby turtles on the beach in hopes they will return to re-establish Padre Island as a permanent and viable nesting site.
   The largest colony of Kemp's ridleys, the most critically endangered sea turtle on the planet, lays eggs on a beach in Mexico. But traditionally, thousands of these sea turtles hatched on Padre Island and returned annually to lay eggs.
   No one is certain why they stopped.
   Still, more Kemp's ridley nests are found on Padre Island than any other location in the United States, lending hope for a successful re-colonization.
   If you believe this is a worthwhile goal, join the effort. Helping the turtles
   Volunteers have ranged in age from 18 to seventysomthing. Most are local residents, but a few are winter Texans or visitors who come exclusively to help.
   Most volunteers patrol in all-terrain vehicles between Bob Hall Pier and the 20-mile marker during five-hour shifts, morning and afternoon. Some work straight through. Kemp's lay their eggs during the day, so there is no nightshift.
   Park staff patrols the beach, south of the 20-mile marker.
   The U.S. Geological Survey provides the ATVs, safety equipment, turtle training and ATV training.
   When a turtle is spotted, volunteers radio in their location and photograph the animal. Obviously, sightings are few, so if you're looking for immediate gratification or if you are easily disappointed, then you might not be cut out for turtle patrol.
   If you'd like to talk about what it's really like on patrol, call Tom "Turtle Spotter" Holdsworth at 949-1026.
   Other volunteer positions include performing odd jobs and office work at Turtle Central, helping Shaver and her staff catalogue information. Light mechanical or clerical skills would be put to good use.