Trained volunteers discovered a nest and carefully sorted egg fragments to determine the count, but this time, they were surprised to find a hatchling and more. Beach enthusiasts in Florida were thrilled to witness the late-season nest of green sea turtle eggs surviving against the odds on Ponte Vedra Beach. During a scientific evaluation on Nov. 21, attendees were treated to the sight of tiny turtles being released to start their journey to the Sargasso Sea. Led by a researcher, volunteers from the Mickler’s Landing Turtle Patrol patrol the beach at sunrise, looking for nests and monitoring them for signs of hatching. After waiting for all the baby turtles to emerge, they excavate the nest, count the eggs, and report their findings. During a recent evaluation, volunteers were surprised to find multiple hatchlings in the nest, which they carefully released to make their way to the ocean. The nest had an unusually high success rate, with 105 out of 115 eggs hatching, indicating promising trends for green sea turtle populations. This beach patrol officer reported an 82.1 percent success rate on the beach he oversees this year. The number of turtles nesting on the beach was the fifth-lowest in 15 years, with only 86 nests in total. However, this is not a cause for concern, as sea turtles lay eggs only every few years, and some females may build multiple nests in a nesting season.
In 2022 and 2023, there were record numbers of nests, so a lower nesting season was expected this year or next. Scientists look at nesting trends over decades to understand population patterns better.
Visitors to the beach can help injured or stranded sea turtles by taking photos, noting the location, and contacting the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission hotline. Nest evaluations typically start in late July or early August, but the season’s timing is determined by the turtles themselves.
One visitor, Nelle Funderburk, had a memorable experience watching baby turtles make their way to the ocean. By crawling to the water, these hatchlings may imprint on the beach and return years later. It was a heartwarming sight as the turtles ventured into the ocean, with onlookers cheering them on. Funderburk emphasized the importance of children experiencing the wonders of nature.
Overall, this year’s nesting season was a success, with positive outcomes for the sea turtle population.
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