First loggerhead nest of season recorded on Pensacola Beach

From staff reports
·2 min read

Escambia County Sea Turtle Patrol volunteers recorded the first nest of the 2024 season on Pensacola Beach early Friday morning.

Volunteers and staff earlier in the week had found two false crawls, which is when female turtles abandon nesting attempts.

The nest is a loggerhead, which account for 90% of nests laid in Escambia County. June and July are the busiest nesting months in Escambia County, and more nests are expected in the coming weeks.Three other species of sea turtle nest on Escambia County beaches between May and October, including greens, leatherbacks and the rare Kemp’s Ridley. Once laid, the eggs will incubate for around 60 days, after which hatchlings emerge under the cover of darkness and make their way to the Gulf of Mexico.

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Sea turtles of all sizes face many threats. For nesting females, white lights on the beach may deter them from nesting or cause them to abandon a nesting attempt. Furniture, tents and toys left on the beach overnight create obstacles for nesting turtles and can injure or trap them on the beach. Because June and July are the busiest nesting months in Escambia County, more nests are expected in the coming weeks.

Help protect nesting sea turtles and other coastal wildlife by remembering:

  • Lights Out! Female turtles prefer dark, quiet beaches for nesting and hatchlings need dark skies to find the Gulf of Mexico. Leave the flashlights and cell phones at home or use a red flashlight when on the beach at night. Turn off beach-facing lights and close windows and curtains to keep our beaches dark.

  • Leave No Trace! Remove all furniture and toys from the beach when you’re done for the day, including hammocks, tents, canopies, chairs, toys and sports equipment.

  • Look Out Below! Boaters should be on the lookout for sea turtles and manatees resting at the surface or feeding in shallow waters. Use a lookout when operating at high speeds and slow down when approaching docks and marinas.

  • If You Dig It, Fill It! Large holes are hazardous to both wildlife and people. Avoid digging large holes and fill in any holes, trenches or moats at the end of your visit.

This article originally appeared on Pensacola News Journal: Pensacola Beach records first loggerhead nest of 2024 season