Turtle Watch volunteers find first hatched nest of the season

The hatched sea turtle nest was found on the bayside of Anna Maria Island.

BY LESLIE LAKE SUN CORRESPONDENT | llake@amisun.com

ANNA MARIA ISLAND – Volunteers from Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch and Shorebird Monitoring found the first hatched turtle nest of the season during their morning survey on June 30. The nest was discovered on the bayside of the Island in an undisclosed location.

“We were pleased that we had our first hatch today, the first of more than 250 current nests that will hatch on AMI beaches,” Turtle Watch Executive Director

Kristen Mazzarella said in a press release.

“Our volunteers have been working long, arduous hours on the beach documenting and marking the nests currently in place. We want to see that hard work rewarded with good hatches and lots of hatchlings making it to the water.”

The first nest laid on Holmes Beach on April 18 did not hatch as expected.

“With hatching now underway there are important reminders for residents and visitors. Most importantly is to make sure that lights are in compliance with local ordinances. Sea turtle hatchlings cue to the bright horizon of the night sky but can be drawn away from reaching the Gulf by artificial lights visible from the beach,” she said.

LESLIE LAKE | SUN

Throughout the Island, sea turtle nests are marked by Turtle Watch volunteers to ensure they are not disturbed.

Lights on the beach should have sea turtle-friendly bulbs as well as be shielded from direct view. Visitors on beaches at night are encouraged to refrain from using any form of light including flash photography, fishing lamps, cell phones and flashlights.

“If you happen to see a nest hatching, remember that hatchlings should be left alone as they make their way to the water,” Mazzarella said. “Mother Nature has provided sea turtles with wayfinding instincts that will get them to where they need to go so our help is not needed.”

If you find a turtle (adult or hatchling) in distress, please call Turtle Watch at 941-301-8434 or the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission at 888-404-3922. Visit islandturtlewatch. com to learn more about how you can help sea turtles survive.