Farmingville, NY -The Diamondback Terrapin Turtle (pictured) is a signature species at the Town’s West Meadow Beach and Creek in Setauket. This marvelous creature has many adaptations that enable it to thrive in the varying conditions of the salt marsh. Recently, warmer temperatures have initiated the hatching of overwintered turtle eggs. The baby turtles that are “springing out” from sandy zones on the beach, need to cross Trustees Road and make their journey toward the salt marsh along the creek. Their instinctual but very dangerous trek to the tidal marsh waters has been closely monitored and aided by the Friends of Flax Pond. Supervisor Ed Romaine, “West Meadow Beach is home to a wide variety of plants and animals that are vital to the delicate balance of the local environment. Their journey is a slow and hazardous one and I ask that people use extreme caution while walking, biking or driving down Trustees Road.” For more information about West Meadow Beach and the Town of Brookhaven’s efforts to protect and preserve the environment, go to our Environmental Protection page.