The tide is turning.
It’s the time of year when sea turtle nesting slows and hatchlings — mostly loggerheads on Anna Maria Island — start to emerge in spumes from nests in the sand to begin their lives in the Gulf of Mexico.
A record-breaking sea turtle nesting season has led to daily hatchling emergencies in Anna Maria, Bradenton Beach and Holmes Beach.
As of July 22, Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch and Shorebird Monitoring reported 27 hatched nests with about 1,599 hatchlings making their way to the Gulf of Mexico.
Each nest contains about 100 eggs, which incubate 45-70 days.
AMITW volunteers walk the beach each morning just after sunrise to search for tracks left during the night by nesting female sea turtles, and now for signs hatchlings have left their nest.
According to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, when a nest is hatched, AMITW volunteers must wait 72 hours to excavate the nest and determine how many eggs hatched, didn’t hatch, or if there are live hatchlings remaining in the nest.
“This is the really exciting part — when we collect data and really see what’s happening,” Suzi Fox, AMITW executive director said July 19. “It’s still magical after more than 25 years.”
During an excavation, turtle watch volunteers dig about 18-24 inches into a hatched nest only using their hands or a shell, and count the hatched, unhatched, or pipped — partially developed — eggs and also dead or live hatchlings remaining in the nest.
Excavations usually take place around sunrise or sunset, when the risk of dehydration or predation is lower for any surviving hatchlings.
With 25 new volunteers, turtle watch has been preparing newbies for what could be hundreds of excavations performed this season, which lasts through Oct. 31.
“New volunteers are assisting with the excavations, often helping excavate nests they found themselves,” Fox said. “They can’t wait to get started.”
But, it’s not just new volunteers who anticipate nest excavations.
“By early July, the reality hits. ‘These nests are going to hatch,’” Anne Camp, AMITW section 6 volunteer coordinator said. “I look forward to seeing hundreds of tiny flipper prints in the sand, and I look forward to the look of awe on the faces of those who are lucky enough to see live hatchlings when we excavate nests.”
For more information about AMITW, contact executive director Suzi Fox at suzilfox@gmail.com or 941-778-5638.
Sea turtle disorientation rate on par with 2017
With 466 nests as of July 22, compared with 448 July 21, 2017, sea turtles nesting on Anna Maria Island are headed toward another record-breaking season.As of July 22, Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch and Shorebird Monitoring reported seven sea turtle disorientations, compared to 10 July 21, 2017.
According to AMITW reports, the seven disorientations this year happened in about the same spots on the beach as 2017.
Suzi Fox, AMITW executive director said July 19 she is working with property owners to bring them into compliance with sea turtle ordinances.
For more information about turtle-friendly lighting, contact Fox at suzilfox@gmail.com or 941-778-5638.