Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch Finds First Sea Turtle Nest and Another Bird Colony

Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch (AMITW) were delighted to find the first loggerhead sea turtle nest of the season this week on Anna Maria Island. They joined other groups on Florida’s Gulf Coast that have seen their first nests over the past few weeks. Although sea turtle nesting season officially starts on May 1st, AMITW volunteers started patrolling the island beaches on April 15th to ensure that any early nests are found. “We have been awaiting our first nest for a few weeks now and are excited to see that sea turtle nesting has finally begun on Anna Maria Island” says AMITW Director, Kristen Mazzarella. “We look forward to another productive nesting season.”

The nest, laid in Bradenton Beach, was relocated to a similar location nearby to
prevent it from being in the project area during sand placement for an upcoming
nourishment project. Relocations are conducted by trained personnel under Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission Marine Turtle Permit MTP-087 per special permit conditions.

In addition to sea turtles, AMITW also monitors nesting shorebirds on Anna Maria Island. Last week, they posted a colony of Black Skimmers in Bradenton Beach, which has grown to include over 100 birds. The flock has been seen pairing off, courting, mating, and some birds appear to be on nest. During an island-wide shorebird survey, the team noticed Least Terns near the Black Skimmer colony. Closer observation indicated that this pair of Least Terns was sitting on eggs!! To protect the nest from human disturbance, AMITW established a posted closure and will monitor the area until the chicks fledge.

With both sea turtles and shorebirds nesting on the island, AMITW reminds folks about the Dos and Don’ts that you can practice to ensure a successful nesting season on Anna Maria Island:

DO’S AND DON’TS FOR SEA TURTLE & SHOREBIRD NESTING SEASON

Do:

• Shield or turn off outdoor lights that are visible on the beach and close drapes
  after dark.
• Remove all beach furniture and toys from the beach at night.
• Fill in holes and knock down sandcastles that may impede hatchlings on their way to the water.
• Respect posted areas. Keep away from nesting and resting areas and use
  designated walkways.
• Place trash in its proper place and do not feed wildlife. Food scraps attract
  predators such as racoons and crows to the beaches. Litter on beaches can
  entangle birds and turtles.
• Keep your distance. If birds become agitated or leave their nests you are too
  close!! A general rule is to stay at least 300 feet away from a shorebird nest.
• Keep pets away from nesting areas. Even well-behaved pets can be perceived as a threat. Keep cats indoors.
• If you encounter a nesting turtle, remain quiet and observe from a distance.
• Call AMITW at 941-301-8434 or FWC at 888-404-3922 if you find a turtle (adult or hatchling) in distress.
• Spread the word! If you see people disturbing nesting birds, sea turtles, or nest
  sites, gently remind them how their actions may hurt the animals’ survival. If they continue to disturb, please call and report their activities to FWC’s Wildlife Alert hotline at 888-404-FWCC (3922).

Do not:

• Use flashlights, cellphones, flash photography or fishing lamps on the beach.
• Encourage a turtle to move while nesting or pick up hatchlings that have emerged.
• Use fireworks on the beach.
• Approach nesting turtles or emerging hatchlings, make noise, or shine lights at
  turtles.
• Intentionally force birds to fly. When birds are chased or disturbed, they use
  energy they need to reserve for nesting and migration.

For more information or ways to help protect sea turtles and shorebirds, please visit
islandturtlewatch.com or come see AMITW volunteers present Turtle Tracks and
Shorebird Facts every Monday from 10am – 11am and Holmes Beach City Hall (5801
Marina Drive, Holmes Beach).