We are currently at 25 nests on our beach, all loggerhead nests.
Prior to this season, our highest nest count at this point in time was previously 23 nests, so we have set a new record having reached 25 nests so far! We’ll have to wait and see what the turtles have in store for us for the rest of the season, especially as we are leading into the typical peak of our nesting season. As previously mentioned, we don’t announce the locations of our nests and it takes about two months for a nest to incubate and hatch so we are still a little over a month from entering our hatching season.
Earlier this week, beach goers enjoyed an exciting evening and did everything just right when they encountered a nesting season turtle! Our volunteers received a call from local police with a report that a turtle had emerged from the water and was nesting. Our volunteers responded to find an officer and bystanders following all the proper turtle encounter guidelines. They were observing from a distance, not using white light or any flash photography. The volunteers explained the process the loggerhead was going through to nest. She received passive tags installed by our volunteers, finished nesting, disguised her nest area and returned to the water. Thank you to the beach goers for calling and for everyone’s cooperation allowing the loggerhead to successfully nest here on our beach!
While in Panama City Beach, if you encounter a sea turtle on the sandy beach at night, please refrain from using flash photography, use no lights at all (causes disorientation), avoid her track and any disturbed sandy areas, observe from the back side of the turtle from a distance and contact PCB Police non-emergency at 850-233-5000. They will contact our on-call volunteers to respond and protect the turtle and the nest she lays.
Remember, everyone can do their part leaving our beaches clean, dark and flat!
All activities performed under MTP-038 and MTP-286
