Sunbathing made safer - basking platforms give turtles protection from predators

Boy Scout Nathan Olmsted stands near one of 10 turtle basking platforms he made for the Ladd Marsh Wildlife Area. Photo/BRYON OLMSTED

Boy Scout Nathan Olmsted has built 10 turtle basking platforms for the Ladd Marsh Wildlife Area for his Eagle project. The platforms, anchored in the middle of ponds, give turtles a place to sunbathe where they are relatively safe from birds, coyotes, foxes and other predators. Should a predator approach a basking platform, turtles can easily slip off the edge into the water where they can much more easily evade predators.

Turtles need extensive daily sun exposure to keep their internal temperatures up. Without this exposure they will die.

She explained that Ladd Marsh’s ponds lack large rocks or logs far from banks where turtles can safely sunbathe.

“We needed artificial structures,’’ Nowak said.

The new platforms are also important, Nowak said, because turtles are particularly exposed at Ladd Marsh because its ponds do not offer tree cover.

The platforms are used by western painted turtles. The western painted turtle is native to the Grande Ronde Valley. The highest concentration in the valley is at Ladd Marsh.

The western painted turtle is one of four subspecies of the painted turtle. The other subspecies are the eastern, southern and midland painted turtles. The painted turtle is found throughout the United States, southern Canada and northern Mexico.

The turtle is likely named for its shell. The beautiful design makes it look like it is painted.

Nowak said Olmsted’s structures are making it much easier to monitor the western painted turtle population at Ladd Marsh. She explained that it is easy to see the reptiles on the structures.

“They are helping us survey turtles,’’ Nowak said.

Nowak said she could not be happier with the job Olmsted has done.

“They (the platforms) are doing exactly what they are supposed to,’’ the ODFW biologist said.

Olmsted, a junior at Cove High School, is a member of Troop 521. He is the son of April and Russel Olmsted. He completed his project with assistance from Miller’s Home Center & Lumber, G & V Supply, D & B Supply and Nowak.

Olmsted will be promoted to the rank of Eagle Scout at a court of honor Sunday. The ceremony begins at 7 p.m. at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Island City.

— Dick Mason