Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch and Shorebird Monitoring recorded its first sea turtle nest of the 2026 season during the week ending May 15.
AMITW also recorded nests No. 2-8.
Turtle watch’s patrol team began monitoring the beaches for sea turtle nests April 15, two weeks before the official May 1 start of the nesting season on AMI. But it wasn’t until May 12 that AMITW could announce, “The turtle mommas are finally here!”
“We have been awaiting our first nest for a few weeks now and are excited to see that sea turtle nesting has finally begun on Anna Maria Island,” AMITW director Kristen Mazzarella said in a news release May 15. “We look forward to another productive nesting season.”
After flagging the first nest, documented in Bradenton Beach, AMITW relocated it due to beach renourishment work this summer.
The news release said the nest was moved to a similar nearby location “to prevent it from being in the project area during sand placement.”
AMITW has trained for such relocations, which are conducted under a Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission Marine Turtle Permit, MTP-087, per special permit conditions.
“We locate the eggs in a nest, carefully remove them from the nest and place them in a receptacle along with sand from the nest,” Mazzarella said. “Then, they are placed in a nest that we dig to the same dimensions as the original nest. All nests must be relocated as early as possible to minimize any damage that might come from moving the eggs.”
Beachgoers and beachfront dwellers can also do their part during the season to create the best nesting habitat, including:
- Filling in holes before leaving the beach;
- Leaving no litter;
- Turning off, dimming or shielding beachfront lights at night;
- Staying clear of sea turtles and nests.
People who see a sea turtle that appears injured or in distress can contact AMITW at 941-301-8434.
Shorebird habitats posted
Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch and Shorebird Monitoring this month cordoned off sections of beach in Bradenton Beach to protect nesting black skimmers and least terns.
According to AMITW, more than 100 black skimmers were observed within the posted area over the past several weeks. The birds have been mating and some appear to be on nest.
Nearby, AMITW’s survey team observed least terns — and a pair was sitting on eggs.
The nonprofit said previous nesting colonies on the island failed because of human disturbance.
So volunteers are asking beachgoers to avoid the roped-off area and give the birds additional space.
The birds are especially vulnerable during nesting, as disturbances can cause adults to abandon sites temporarily, leaving eggs exposed to predators and harsh conditions.
AMITW is encouraging people to stay at least 300 feet away from the birds, to keep pets away from shorebird habitat and to properly dispose of trash, which can attract predators to the site.
Anyone witnessing intentional disturbance of shorebirds can report it to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission Wildlife Alert hotline at 888-404-FWCC (3922).
Turtle talks on Mondays
AMITW’s Turtle Tracks & Shorebird Facts is a free weekly presentation at 10 a.m. Mondays through August at Holmes Beach City Hall, 5801 Marina Drive. There will not be a talk on Memorial Day. For more information, visit islandturtlewatch.com or call 941-301-8434.
By the numbers
AMITW reported 8 sea turtle nests and 17 false crawls as of May 15.