Wednesday's Wonderful Finds: 3 new nests!

Nest #4 in Zone 4

Nest #5 and #6 in Zone 2....All left in situ!

"In situ" is when the nest is left in the location the Momma turtle laid it. Nests laid too close to the water are at risk of being washed away by high tides or storms and will be relocated. These Momma's did a great job picking out their nest location!

The nests were all marked and protected with cages and stakes and gps location tagged. This will help allow regular monitoring for signs of predation, erosion, and hatching.

DNA anaylysis can help identify nesting females over time. This is crucial for long term monitoring of nesting patterns, remigration intervels (how often a female returns to nest) and overall reproductive success.

The 2025 nesting season is off to a great start!

📸 The pictures were taken by permitted volunteers under permit 2025-MTP537 & 2025-MTP565, Following all rules and guidelines. Only permitted individuals are allowed to engage in sea turtle conservation activities.

~ Sea you on the beach!

Remember to keep the beach

DARK: artificial lights can disorient nesting female turtles making it difficult to find suitable nesting sites, later hatchlings emerging from their nests are drawn to the brightest light source, which should be natural light reflecting off the ocean

FLAT: uneven surfaces on the beach can impede nesting females from finding suitable nesting spots and digging their nests. It can also trap or disorient emerging hatchlings. FILL IN YOUR HOLES

CLEAN: marine debris, especially plastic, poses a significant threat to sea turtles of all life stages. Always take your trash and belongings with you when you leave the beach.