Watch out, here they come.
It’s the time of year when sea turtle nests are hatching in bales on Anna Maria Island and there is one area in Holmes Beach that is causing distress for the team of turtle watchers with Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch and Shorebird Monitoring.
The beach at the Nautilus condominiums, 7100 Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach, was the location for the first sea turtle hatch of the season July 8 — and the first disorientation.
Hatchlings use their instincts to follow the reflection of the moon and stars on the surface of the water to find their way to their home in the Gulf of Mexico.
A disorientation occurs when hatchlings are distracted by artificial lights and head away from the waterline, which can lead to death by predation or dehydration.
This can be prevented by using properly installed, turtle-friendly outdoor lights at beachfront properties and by closing curtains and turning off lights at night, when sea turtle nests usually hatch.
On Aug. 14, the beach at the Nautilus was the site of a second hatchling disorientation, likely due to light emanating from beachfront windows after dark, according to AMITW executive director Suzi Fox.
“Management should inform guests when they check in to close their curtains after dark and also should be conducting nightly light inspections on all waterfront buildings to make sure their renters are in compliance with proper sea turtle lighting practices,” Fox said. “Otherwise the results can be disastrous.”
Nautilus manager Fritz Dahlquist said he was not there when the Aug. 14 disorientation occurred, but he does “make every effort” to inform guests at check-in about turtle-safe practices.
But AMITW section 3 coordinator Debbie Basilius also expressed concern for two more unhatched nests. “You would think that they would be doing what they can to keep this from recurring.”
Sea turtle nests are expected to hatch through October. Until then, local ordinances require that indoor lights visible from the beach are dimmed. Outdoor lighting must conform to regulations or be shielded.
For more information about AMITW, or for informational materials regarding sea turtle safety, contact Fox at suzilfox@gmail.com or 941-778-5638.
Turtle stats:
AMITW sea turtle stats as of Aug. 21: 423 nests, 839 false crawls, 165 hatched nests and approximately 12,060 hatchlings to the sea.
Turtle Talks continue
Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch and Shorebird Monitoring announced the extension of its popular Turtle Talks, held at 10 a.m. Tuesdays at CrossPointe Fellowship, 8605 Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach.
Tuesday talks will be held Aug. 30 and Sept. 6.
For more information, call AMITW at 941-778-5638.