Diamondback Terrapins topic of lecture at Milton CHEER Oct. 8
Olivia McDonald, Delaware Seashore State Park interpreter and program coordinator, will be the featured speaker for the Prime Hook/CHEER Center lecture Tuesday, Oct. 8, at 7 p.m. McDonald will share her experience with protecting the Diamondback Terrapin population of Delaware’s marshes and beaches.
The Diamondback Terrapin, named for the diamond pattern on the top of its shell, is Delaware’s only turtle that can survive in freshwater as well as full-strength ocean seawater. Turtles can be seen in early summer making their way from the marshes and bays to the sand dunes, where they lay their eggs. Females can lay up to three clutches a year, and in some places, busy roadways make their trip to their nesting areas very dangerous.
McDonald will explain the terrapins’ habitat needs, life cycle, and what is being done to make way for them through habitat restoration projects.
The event will take place at the Milton CHEER Center, 24855 Broadkill Road, Milton. The public is welcome with no reservations necessary. This will be the last of the Evening at the Hook lectures for 2019. The series will resume in February 2020 after a three-month hiatus to schedule speakers for next season.
