Corbin's Corner
Love is in the air: it's turtle nesting season

Grant Corbin

I spoke with Rick Clark, Chief of Science and Resources with the National Park Service.

During turtle nesting season, biologists and volunteers patrol the beach with all terrain vehicles (ATV's) looking for turtle tracks that may lead to a potential nest. The nesting season runs through about mid May until mid September. The most popular months are, June, July and August.

The species of turtles that have laid their eggs on the beach are Loggerhead, Green Turtle and the Kemp's Ridley, all of which are on the endangered species list. The Kemp's Ridley turtle is rare around this area, there have been two nests found this year which makes the sixth nest in the history of the National Park Service. Because these turtles are endangered, it is very important that the nests are monitored to ensure the safety and success of the turtles.

The biologist and volunteers monitor the nests until the end of the gestation period (which can vary with temperature and other factors). The nests are monitored until the eggs start to hatch and are usually given an escort to the ocean. On average there is usually a 60 percent hatch success, and around 100 eggs per nest: nature's way of maximizing the population by overcompensating.

Clark says that the turtles are unpredictable as to where they lay their eggs. In some cases the eggs need to be relocated out of harms way. If you've been to the beach recently you may have noticed some areas cordoned off with tape. Most people assume this may be a turtle nest but Clark tells me these are usually not turtle nests but rather shore bird nesting sites. As of July 19, there were 18 confirmed nests along the shore between Perdido Key and Navarre Beach. Based upon prior years, this nesting seems to be down, but the nesting season has not ended, so there can be more nests between now and the end of nesting season.

Clark said it is important that people not direct light out onto the beach which can send the turtles in the wrong direction. There is also a problem recently with dogs, namely dogs running loose on the beach and digging up nests, and there have been turtles sucked up by the dredging ship on Navarre Beach.

I'd like to thank Rick Clark for putting up with me and giving me this information. Hopefully you (the reader) learned something.