Lifeguards protect more than just humans

It was a busy and exciting summer at Tobey Pond as Norfolk residents and local wildlife coexisted. The summer started off with “Theresa”, a mother snapping turtle, laying her eggs in the middle of the beach. The lifeguards built a barrier around the nest with colorful rocks and a sign warning swimmers not to disturb the turtle eggs. Head lifeguard Lydia Beers was there to witness the laying and captured a few shots of Theresa making her way back to the water after her labor was done. 

The snapping turtle suspense carried through the summer and on Aug. 26, three hatchlings were recorded making their way to the water. While the lifeguards theorized there were more turtles, only three exits in the sand were visible. Over Labor Day weekend, the lifeguards decided to dig up the empty nest to see how many had truly hatched, and were delighted to find additional eggs shells left behind, meaning more babies had hatched.

The fun continued when the lifeguards found a second nest, under the sand in front of the lifeguard seat. Beers explained they build up the sand at the base of the chair so lifeguards have a better cushion to jump onto, and the sand becomes packed down over time. As they removed the sand, they discovered the second nest, and several hatched baby turtles. These babies were still alive and made their way to the water, with a little encouragement from the lifeguards. Between the shells left behind and the babies found in the second nest, Beers estimates there were 30 new snapping turtles. 

A newcomer moved to the pond, a friendly painted turtle that introduced herself to swimmers by coming right up to them. Although she was originally called Patricia, the lifeguards settled on the affectionate title of “Lil P”. 

These new residents to Tobey may learn some new lessons from “Tom” the snapping turtle, whom Beers described as “the biggest, oldest snapping turtle I’ve ever seen.” Tom has been a familiar sight to the lifeguards for several seasons, and they are always eager to see him. 

Another returning resident to Tobey was “Larry” the cormorant. Originally mistaken to be a loon, last year Larry’s paparazzi snapped a clear shot of him stretching his wings which led to his proper identification. Larry was happy to return to Tobey, although he was not taken up on his offer of flight lessons for Norfolk residents. 

Other veteran ponders included Al the big water snake, Beatrice the bear (notoriously known for stealing former lifeguard Ellie Olsen’s lunch), Diana the deer (so named because of her majestic likeness to the late Princess Diana), and of course, Tobias the Dragon. Tobias, the namesake of Tobey, rules the pond with a kind but firm hand and makes few appearances throughout the season (fewer sightings are photographed), except when young swimmers break pond rules or disregard lifeguard instructions. Thankfully, it was a peaceful year and Tobias got to enjoy the beauty of his domain without disturbance.

Be sure to follow Tobey Pond’s Instagram page, tobeypondnorfolkct, to enjoy video footage of the turtles hatching, and stay in the loop on next season’s opening date.