Echo 4: Going nocturnal on Echo Beach

Tina Ambrose writes from Playa Hermosa:

When we first arrived at Playa Hermosa we were thrown straight into it with two beach patrols on the first night. Unfortunately we didn't see any turtles on the first patrol but since then we've rarely had a night without a sighting. We collect anything up to 15 nests each night, each nest containing 70-120 eggs. Once collected we recreate their original nest in the beachside hatchery where they are incubated for 45 days. Once hatched they are released into the ocean and hopefully they will return in 30 years time when they're ready to breed.

On many of our patrols, which can last most of the night, we are lucky to be joined by Ricardo, a local ecology expert who has volunteered at the Playa Hermosa ranger station for four years. He is very passionate about his work with the turtles and has taught us a lot about the coastal wildlife we've encountered.

He told us that most of the work they currently do wouldn't be possible without volunteers like us (Raleigh groups make up about 60% of the volunteers at Playa Hermosa). The presence of the volunteers and rangers on the beach also deters poachers. During our stay a poacher was caught by the police and will now serve three years in jail.

There is quite a lot to look out for on Playa Hermosa - not just turtles! We have seen scarlet macaws, white ibis, hundreds of lizards, thousands of hermit crabs and the odd crocodile. One of the rangers also informed us that behind the ranger station is a big nest of crocodile eggs. So we hoped we didn't come across one on patrol or even worse on the way to the long drop!

When we find a nest, information on the number of eggs and the time is recorded. In order to make this data more accurate we have measured out 100 metre sectors and marked each one with posts, which will later be numbered.

Following up Delta 4's hard work building the hatchery in Phase 1, we improved the sand bag wall and dug a trench around the hatchery. The sand bags provide a barrier against the sea and the trench allows rain water to run off easily. The group enjoyed this task but were surprised how heavy the sand bags were.

When we arrived the team were horrified at all the plastic washed up on the beach. We set to work clearing it, filling many, many bin liners over the four mornings it took. Looking down to see a plastic free area was such a sense of achievement. On reflection we all felt ashamed that people can allow all this litter to pollute the ocean and we all pledged to recycle more and spread the word.

Echo 4 also worked hard to create Echo Fortress! The best beach camp there has ever been. We boast a glam long drop, 12 sturdy basher beds, two hammocks and most importantly the radio bench. Along with some landscape gardening anyone in Chelsea would be jealous of.

But it hasn't been all hard work though. We've enjoyed beach olympics, volleyball, capoeira and a whole lot more.

During our time at Playa Hermosa, Echo 4 have found 161 nests and collected 15,678 eggs. Ricardo hopes that around 55,000 baby turtles will be hatched and released in the area this year.