2002 Survey of Diamondback Terrapins in the Chesapeake Bay

The survey was conducted to assess the distribution of terrapins in the Chesapeake Bay, based on evidence related to nesting. We conducted a survey of the beaches during the nesting season in the summer of 2002. We walked along the shoreline of over 1350 beach segments looking for evidence signifying the presence of terrapins based on nesting activity. These results represent a single-season snapshot of conditions during the surveys and at the locations visited during that season; it should not be assumed that this is representative of terrapin nest locations and numbers today.