Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch and Shorebird Monitoring has staked a new sea turtle nest and notched a record.
During the week of July 19-25, AMITW documented the 13th green turtle nest of the 2025 season. That breaks the record set in 2023.
And AMITW hopes to see more green sea turtle nests before the season wraps up in the fall, according to executive director Kristen Mazzarella.
As of July 25, AMITW had documented 520 sea turtle nests, 811 false crawls, 71 hatched nests, 29 adult disorientations, 31 hatching disorientations and 5,513 hatchlings produced.
“Hatching is in full swing and so are disorientations,” Mazzarella said.
Sea turtles become disoriented when they follow artificial light instead of the reflection of stars and moon on the water’s surface.
Since the first emergence of hatchlings July 3, AMITW said 31 hatching disorientations have involved about 1,000 hatchlings.
“Sadly, 61 of those hatchlings were found dead,” Mazzarella said.
She added, “We need your help to make sure our hatchlings make it safely into the Gulf. Please, make sure to use turtle-friendly bulbs and shields on any exterior lights or turn them off. Interior lights can also be a problem, so close your blinds and redirect any lights — including TVs — so they cannot be seen through windows.”
Once hatchlings have disoriented, they often are led farther astray by landside lighting.
“So even if your property is away from the beach, it helps to be turtle-friendly,” Mazzarella said.
AMITW monitors a hotline 24/7 for people who see a sea turtle in distress on the island: 941-301-8434.
“Please, spread the word and put this number in your phone so it’s there when you find a disoriented hatchling,” Mazzarella said.
It’s elementary: Class lessons from AMITW, AME
Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch and Shorebird Monitoring, during the 2024-25 academic year, invited teachers and students at Anna Maria Elementary School in Holmes Beach to compose questions about sea turtles, shorebirds and AMITW’s work on the beaches. This summer, the Islander is sharing AME’s questions and AMITW’s answers.
Teacher Katrina Thomas’ second-grade class: How long do the babies stay with their mom and dad?
AMITW: Sea turtles may never meet their mom or dad.
Their mom lays the eggs on the beach under the sand and then leaves the eggs to hatch on their own.
Mother turtles lay 5-7 nests with an average of 100 eggs in each nest for one summer.
Mother sea turtles have lots of baby turtles but don’t take care of them. Only a few survive. This is different from people who put a lot of effort into caring for their babies to make sure they survive.
Talking turtles
The city of Holmes Beach is hosting Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch and Shorebird Monitoring for weekly talks about sea turtle and shorebird nesting.
Sea Turtle Tracks and Shorebird Facts talks continue most Mondays at 10 a.m. through August at city hall, 5801 Marina Drive.
For more information, call turtle watch at 941-301-8434 or go to www.islandturtlewatch.com.
By the numbers
As of July 25, AMITW reported 520 nests, 811 false crawls, 71 hatched nests, 5,513 hatchlings, 29 adult disorientations and 32 hatching disorientations.