Although the RC often receives reports of Caretta caretta turtles (both healthy and injured) in the Attica area, and even though nests on local beaches are sometimes reported, until now no hatchlings have actually been reported in this area. On Thursday evening, 26 August, a small group of ARCHELON volunteers and supporters, led by RC Co-ordinator Pavlo Tsaros, visited two beaches in the Lavrio area to check on the progress of two reported nests. The intention was to excavate the nests and do a count of the eggs since it was believed that the incubation period had passed and the hatchlings (if any) would have left.

At the first beach, the local resident who had seen the mother turtle laying her eggs had arranged for the nest to be ʽfencedʼ off to protect it. When the team arrived at the beach just as the sun was setting and Pavlo carefully began to examine the nest in the presence of protective and concerned local residents (both young and old), a pleasant surprise awaited everyone: A group of six hatchlings was poking their heads out of the sand covering the nest! The hatchlings quickly made their way to the sea, entered the water without the tiniest bit of a problem or hesitation, and immediately swam out beyond the breaking waves, where they were instantly lost to sight. Pavlo informed everyone present about what to expect next, and one local resident said he was going to camp on the beach that night to monitor the nest. All the local residents agreed that they would do what they could to protect the nest and hatchlings, and would inform ARCHELON about its progress.

During the days after our visit, the woman who had found the nest kept Pavlo up to date with news of the hatchlings – 21 hatchlings in total were seen leaving the nest and entering the sea. About ten days after the initial visit, she notified Pavlo that due to a change in the weather, the nest was being flooded. Pavlo and ARCHELON volunteers returned to the beach and excavated the nest in the presence of enthusiastic local residents of all ages who were extremely interested in learning about the turtles. A number of eggs were found, some without embryos and others with embryos in various stages of development. One dead hatchling was found. Residents said that next year they would be on the lookout for any new nests and mother turtles and of course would inform ARCHELON of any.

The second beach was a bit difficult to reach. When the team arrived, local residents said that they did not know where the nest was actually located, but that on several nights they had found hatchlings unfortunately heading towards nearby street lights rather than the sea. They said they had rescued all the hatchlings they had found and put them in the sea. Because the beach was very popular and heavily used, it was impossible to locate the nest in order to excavate it.

So, besides the unforgettable experience of seeing hatchlings as they began their life in the sea, and besides meeting new (and very nice) people interested in sea turtles, it was an opportunity to inform residents about sea turtles and to engage them in helping ARCHELON achieve its mission of protecting these endangered animals.