Anna Maria Island’s nesting sea turtles sometimes like to get some sun.
The week of June 29, two sea turtles nested during the day on island beaches.
The loggerhead sea turtles typically lay eggs at night, while the sand is cooler. However, the sea turtles occasionally nest during daylight hours, according to Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch and Shorebird Monitoring volunteer Glenn Wiseman.
Wiseman said sea turtles may choose to nest early in the morning or late afternoon because they were previously scared off or for purely biological reasons.
Island beaches saw five daytime nesting sea turtles in 2014.
Whatever the reason for daytime nesting, AMITW requests beachgoers observe from a safe distance and not attempt to touch or step into the sea turtle’s path. Observers also are asked to contact AMITW at 941-778-5638 to report the location of the nest.
After all, it’s illegal to touch or harass marine turtles in any way.
Though sea turtles may be laying eggs during the day, it’s unlikely any hatchlings will attempt to make their way to the Gulf of Mexico during the day.
“Any light is bad for them, but amber and red are better,” Wiseman said, referring to the turtle-friendly lights used by most beachfront property owners during nesting season.
AMITW volunteer Annie Camp said she and turtle watch partner Jazz Barr check the nests in their 1-mile section daily.
According to Camp, it takes about 10 minutes for a hatchling to get from the nest to water. Before emerging from the nest, the sea turtle hatchlings eat the remains in their eggs for nutrition, which sustains them until they reach the water. The hatchlings swim quickly for the first 24 hours or so toward the weed line before slowing down for about 24 hours. The hatchlings typically reach their destination by the third day.
Wiseman said AMITW has launched a campaign to inform people on the island of the rules and regulations protecting the sea turtles and nesting shorebirds. The organization provides information on the regulations to island hotel owners and real estate agents who are charged with passing it on to guests. “Some are better than others,” he said.
“We don’t have these rules to make people miserable. There’s always a reason,” Wiseman said.