Looks like Robert anticipated the need to compare the tracks taken by Schillie and Nautila. Here's the updated for Dec 21.
-----------------------------------------------
Dear Friends,

'Schillie', swimming north at about 80 km/day, is now already some 250 km away from Bonaire. The track she is following is remarkably similar to that of 'Nautila', as you can see on the attached overview map. 'Nautila' in the meantime remains on "Navidad Bank", north of the Dominican Republic.

I will keep you posted. Bon siman!

Robert P van Dam

Project Director
Sea Turtle Conservation Bonaire

phone (599) 717 2225
cellular (599) 790 0433
email stcb@bonaireturtles.org
website www.bonaireturtles.org

P.O. Box 492
Kralendijk, Bonaire
Netherlands Antilles

"Sea Turtle Conservation Bonaire, local affiliate of the Wider Caribbean Sea
Turtle Conservation Network (WIDECAST), has been protecting sea turtles
through research, conservation and education since 1991."

Update for Dec 22.
----------------------------------------------
Dear Friends,

'Schillie' continues on her way towards the north-northwest, now almost 350 km from Bonaire and halfway towards the coast of the Dominican Republic. 'Schillie' has slowed down a little, now swimming about 60 km/day and appears to know where she's going as her track is a very straight line so far.

I will keep you posted,

Robert P van Dam

Project Director
Sea Turtle Conservation Bonaire

phone (599) 717 2225
cellular (599) 790 0433
email stcb@bonaireturtles.org
website www.bonaireturtles.org

P.O. Box 492
Kralendijk, Bonaire
Netherlands Antilles

"Sea Turtle Conservation Bonaire, local affiliate of the Wider Caribbean Sea
Turtle Conservation Network (WIDECAST), has been protecting sea turtles
through research, conservation and education since 1991."

Thanks 4 the updates Andy.
I'm curious: will Schillie make the same "loop" as Nautila? I guess we just have 2 wait and see

Igor, I'm wondering the same thing...hopefully not, as she will avoid the heavy fishing areas that Nautila went through...unless it's necessary for feeding?

I wonder if it is the current they follow or something else??? Instinct, I guess. Just simply amazing to watch this all unfold. Hope Schillie clears all the traps and ends up with Nautila! Carole

update for the Dec 23.

------------------------------------
Dear Friends,

Hawksbill 'Schillie' continues on her very constant way towards the north-northwest, swimming about 70 km yesterday. She is now 400 km away from Bonaire and just now diverged from the track made by 'Nautila' in November. 'Schillie' appears to be heading towards the triangular piece of land that is the "Parque Nacional Jaragua" in the Dominican Republic.

'Nautila' remains on Navidad Bank, hopefully recovering from fasting for several months while breeding here at Klein Bonaire and her long migration back to her feeding habitat.

I will keep you posted,

Robert P van Dam

Project Director
Sea Turtle Conservation Bonaire

phone (599) 717 2225
cellular (599) 790 0433
email stcb@bonaireturtles.org
website www.bonaireturtles.org

P.O. Box 492
Kralendijk, Bonaire
Netherlands Antilles

"Sea Turtle Conservation Bonaire, local affiliate of the Wider Caribbean Sea
Turtle Conservation Network (WIDECAST), has been protecting sea turtles
through research, conservation and education since 1991."

Dove Klein yesterday & today but did not see any turtles. Did see a small one at Town Pier last night. Good luck Schillie.

Thanks Andrew for these updates

Brian

She's on the straight and narrow path....she's on a mission! As the crow flies....or the turtle swims! Carole

Update for Dec 24.
----------------------------------------------

Dear Friends,

'Schillie' keeps on moving to the north-northwest, straight towards the Dominican Republic. Yesterday she swam some 60 km, and is now located over 450 km from Bonaire.

Bon Pasku!

Robert P van Dam

Project Director
Sea Turtle Conservation Bonaire

phone (599) 717 2225
cellular (599) 790 0433
email stcb@bonaireturtles.org
website www.bonaireturtles.org

P.O. Box 492
Kralendijk, Bonaire
Netherlands Antilles

"Sea Turtle Conservation Bonaire, local affiliate of the Wider Caribbean Sea
Turtle Conservation Network (WIDECAST), has been protecting sea turtles
through research, conservation and education since 1991."

update for Dec 25.
-----------------------------------------------
Dear Friends,

Good satellite signals keep coming in from both 'Schillie' and 'Nautila'. Hawksbill 'Schillie' keeps on moving, but it appears she has just started swinging more towards the east and is now on course towards the capital of the Dominican Republic, Santo Domingo. She again swam some 60 km yesterday, now over 500 km from Bonaire. In the meantime, 'Nautila' continues transmitting from her feeding grounds at Navidad Bank.

I will keep you posted,

Robert P van Dam

Project Director
Sea Turtle Conservation Bonaire

phone (599) 717 2225
cellular (599) 790 0433
email stcb@bonaireturtles.org
website www.bonaireturtles.org

P.O. Box 492
Kralendijk, Bonaire
Netherlands Antilles

"Sea Turtle Conservation Bonaire, local affiliate of the Wider Caribbean Sea
Turtle Conservation Network (WIDECAST), has been protecting sea turtles
through research, conservation and education since 1991."

Wish I could borrow some of their stamina and energy! Thanks for keeping us posted, Andrew!! Carole

Andrew,

Is there a way you can do the updates with the overlay chart showing Nautila and Schillie?? Today it looks as though Schillie is following the turn northeast that Nautila took in the same geo area. It will be fascinating to see if S also breaks back northwesterly.

Update for Dec 26. I'll ask Robert if he can issue the chart with the dual tracks more regularly.

-----------------------------------------------

Dear Friends,

'Schillie' is going strong and fast approaching Santo Domingo, now nearly 600 km from Bonaire.

I will keep you posted. Pasa un felis wikent!

Robert P van Dam

Project Director
Sea Turtle Conservation Bonaire

phone (599) 717 2225
cellular (599) 790 0433
email stcb@bonaireturtles.org
website www.bonaireturtles.org

P.O. Box 492
Kralendijk, Bonaire
Netherlands Antilles

"Sea Turtle Conservation Bonaire, local affiliate of the Wider Caribbean Sea
Turtle Conservation Network (WIDECAST), has been protecting sea turtles
through research, conservation and education since 1991."

Let's hope that Schille makes a right before DR, and goes right to Navidad Bank!

TKS, Andrew

update for Dec 27.
--------------------------------------------
Dear Friends,

Hawksbill 'Schillie' is now slowing down a bit as she approaches the Dominican Republic, swimming only about 50 km within the last 24 hours. She is still on track to reach the coast near the capital, Santo Domingo, sometime early next week.

I will keep you posted,

Robert P van Dam

Project Director
Sea Turtle Conservation Bonaire

phone (599) 717 2225
cellular (599) 790 0433
email stcb@bonaireturtles.org
website www.bonaireturtles.org

P.O. Box 492
Kralendijk, Bonaire
Netherlands Antilles

"Sea Turtle Conservation Bonaire, local affiliate of the Wider Caribbean Sea
Turtle Conservation Network (WIDECAST), has been protecting sea turtles
through research, conservation and education since 1991."

update for Dec 28.
---------------------------------------------
Dear Friends,

Our hawksbill 'Schillie' has slowed down considerably in the last 24 hours, as she made a course adjustment turning towards the northeast. At some 100 km from the coast of the Dominican Republic, 'Schillie' is still in deep waters and now appears to be moving towards Isla Saona, part of the Parque Nacional del Este, adjacent to the Mona Passage.

I will keep you posted,

Robert P van Dam

Project Director
Sea Turtle Conservation Bonaire

phone (599) 717 2225
cellular (599) 790 0433
email stcb@bonaireturtles.org
website www.bonaireturtles.org

P.O. Box 492
Kralendijk, Bonaire
Netherlands Antilles

"Sea Turtle Conservation Bonaire, local affiliate of the Wider Caribbean Sea
Turtle Conservation Network (WIDECAST), has been protecting sea turtles
through research, conservation and education since 1991."