San Pancho and Turtle News from Costa Verde Ecological Group Frank D. Smith - Ecological Group of Costa Verde
June 2, 2016

Hola Volunteers, Supporters and Readers ~

Turtle wise: Only one nest was found in May, although, on the morning of the 31st, we found a turtle that had exhausted herself trying to dig a nest in totally dry sand. She had sunk below the surface of the beach with no hole below her. The only thing we could do was to force her back into the sea.  

Total recorded nests found since last mid-November came to about twenty-two. Twenty-two nests are well below the average of fifty-seven nests we normally find within this time period. We’re not sure if it is just a continuation of last season's small numbers or a forecast of a small season to come.    

Over the past two months five dead, mostly male turtles have washed ashore. Many seafaring creatures such as fish, turtles and even crocodiles will occasionally wash ashore locally. This is not to say that they died off our shore but most likely had drifted with the current and pushed by the waves from out of the south, the Puerto Vallarta area.

Consider what happens when a large rain storm occurs far up the Ameca River. Within a few hours, floating debris has washed into the Bay of Banderas and within ten hours it’s found its way onto our beach, plastic and all. That crocodile and those turtles spotted on our beach were most likely washed out of the Ameca River, or out of the Bay of Banderas, or perhaps one of several large lagoons along the Bay.

Here's a good solution to keep nest boxes from shattering while moving them. We discovered that by using a small paint brush and forcing two coats of glue deep within the cracks, we could strengthen all nest boxes. Also, to insure they're straight, we checked them for tape as well. This method used six liters of glue whereas, in the past, we would have used only one half liters in one year.

The building of a new beach club at the old Costa Azul site

Volunteer wise: Lisa Fisher, Manuel Murrieta, Julio Gonzales and America Tejas and Kate Derry, all were the first volunteers to arrive this May.

This topic is getting serious: We need volunteers in the early part of the season, June first through June 21st, and especially in the late part of the season, September through mid-December! Our chart  shows our three apartments in color-coded.  The numbers in each square indicate rooms that are available for either an individual or a couple.  For more information take a look at Selected.

Weather-wise: Great weather, but summer is here. Daytime temperatures were in the mid to high 80°s, at times the heat index was into the low 90°s. Nighttime temps in the low to high 60°s to the low 70°s.  There was no unusual weather event or rainfall in May. Total rain for the year is 2.54 inches. At the bridge the river is completely dry. The lagoon remains closed off to the sea and filled to its brim.  The storms in the southern hemisphere are once again moving beach sand northward. The first of three tropical disturbances appeared on the May 14th but all soon evaporated.

Town and Country wise: By the end of May tourism dropping to near mid-summer levels, leaving several dozen taco stands nearly empty. New home construction is still at near zero, although home and property sales are somewhat up along with new listings. The construction at the Polo facility is in high gear, including the building of a new beach club at the old Costa Azul site, it will feature an ocean view bar, a separate restaurant, large pool, spa, covered open air areas and patios, including a very nice entrance/greeting area. Both of these facilities are a La Patrona and associates projects.

The car that can’t be driven: Seven years ago I was given a 2000 Honda CRV-SD by Carlo Harootunian, the finest vehicle I have had the pleasure of driving. It was (and will soon be) a valuable tool used by our marine turtle program to transport volunteers and supplies. Unfortunately the second I became a Permanent Immigrant the Honda a “J VIN” vehicle became not legal to drive within México.  

I’ve been told that within two to six months the Mexican Government will change the laws which will allow foreign made vehicles to be nationalized, such as my Honda, but until then, and with a loan from Esteban Millard I’ve purchase 2005 Chrysler Voyager to keep the program moving. When I nationalize the Honda I will put the Voyager up for sale.

Regular gasoline is around 2.82 USD per gallon, 18.05 pesos per dollar.

As far as we know, there are no reported cases of the Zika virus via a local mosquito bite in the States of Nayarit or Jalisco, and may not be for years to come, if we’re lucky?  

Frank D. Smith, Director
Grupo Ecológico de la Costa Verde, A.C.
Project Tortuga
Tel. 311-258-4100

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