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AMITW Weekly Nesting Numbers 6/19/2026
Bradenton Magazine
Bradenton Magazine

AMITW Weekly Nesting Numbers 6/19/2026

a least tern chick and it’s parent Credit: Amy Waterbury

SEA TURTLES by Kristen Mazzarella

6/13/2026 – 6/19/2026Loggerhead
Nests this week6565
False Crawls this week104104
2026 Total Nests246246
2026 Total False Crawls284284
2026 Adult Disorientations1313

We have had several sightings of turtles finishing up nesting or just coming in to nest at sunrise as well as turtles seen coming up to nest at night. Several turtles have been spooked back to the water as crowds gather around them to get a closer look or take photos. As such, we urge people to stay off the beach at night so the turtles are not disturbed. If you do see a sea turtle coming out of the water, give her space and stay at least 20 feet away to give her room to come up and nest. Do not approach a turtle that is moving up the beach or digging in the sand. Keep quiet, turn any lights off and stay behind the turtle and out of their path to the water. Remember to keep the beach clean, dark and flat so sea turtles have a safe place to lay their eggs! 

Turtle Friendly Tips: 

  • Please check the area for turtle crawls before you place your canopies and beach chairs
  • Remove all beach furniture and toys from the beach at night.
  • Fill in holes that may entrap turtles crawling up to lay their nests
  • Flatten so turtles have a clear path to lay their nests
  • Respect posted areas. Keep at least 5 feet away from posted sea turtle nests.
  • If you encounter a nesting turtle, remain quiet and observe from a distance.
  • If you see a sea turtle in trouble, call AMITW at 941-301-8434 or FWC at 888-404-3922
  • Do not use flashlights, cellphones, flash photography or fishing lamps on the beach.
  • Do not approach nesting turtles or shine lights at turtles

A loggerhead has finished nesting and makes her way back to the water around 7am Credit: Jim Hill 

Turtle patroller Andrea Cramer relocates a nest from Coquina Beach with a rainbow appearing in the background. Credit: Kristen Mazzarella

SHOREBIRDS by Kathy Doddridge 

Black Skimmers: 12 adults on 2 nests, 0 chicks

Least Terns:  26 adults on 13 nests, 3 chicks  

Despite continued predation of Least Tern nests, the colony is still producing chicks. Volunteers have named the chicks Persi, Vera and Nancy in recognition of their “perseverance.” The young birds can be seen running throughout the colony as they strengthen their legs and accept fish from their parents. Beachgoers should use caution when walking near the enclosure. You may see them using one of the white structures, or chick huts, to get out of the sun. The Black Skimmer colony now has only a dozen birds with two pairs trying to renest.  

a least tern chick and it’s parent stretch their wings Credit: Amy Waterbury

Please help ensure the survival of our colonies by following these Shorebird-friendly tips:

  • Respect the posted bird closures and 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.
  • Avoid flying kites or drones near shorebird colonies – they look like predators and will scare the birds off their nests. 
  • Place trash in its proper place and do not feed wildlife. Food scraps attract predators to the beach. Litter on beaches can entangle birds and turtles.
  • Keep pets away from nesting areas. Even well-behaved pets can be perceived as a threat.  Keep cats indoors.
  • Do not intentionally force birds to fly.  When birds are chased or disturbed, they use energy they need to reserve for nesting and migration.
  • Do not use fireworks on the beach
  • 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).

a least tern offers its chick a fish Credit: Amy Waterbury

MISCELLANEOUS:  

Turtle Tracks and Shorebird Facts talks – Mondays from 10am – 11am at Holmes Beach City Hall 5801 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach. FREE. No reservations necessary!

AMITW 24-hour Hotline: (941) 301-8434 (this can be found at the bottom of all the yellow turtle nest signs!)

Sea Turtle Conservancy Tour De Turtles TURTLE RELEASE is Monday June 29 at 8am. 

Join the Sea Turtle Conservancy, Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch and Hurricane Hanks as we release a satellite tagged loggerhead turtle around 8:00 am near Coquina Beach. **AS WE ARE TAGGING A NESTING TURTLE, WE WILL NOT HAVE THE EXACT LOCATION OF THE RELEASE UNTIL THE NIGHT BEFORE.** Check out the AMITW or Sea Turtle Conservancy Facebook page or sign up for our Turtle Release Alert Email list to get the latest update: https://app.e2ma.net/app2/audience/signup/2015345/1750310/

This event is FREE and open to the public, there is no need to formally RSVP.

Order FREE outreach materials at https://islandturtlewatch.com/get-involved/educate/  

Provide to guests or post in your rental properties! Rack cards, door hangers, posters, and window clings, educate visitors about how to protect sea turtles and shorebirds on AMI. 

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