AMITW Weekly Nesting Numbers 8/14/2026
SEA TURTLES: 8/8/2026 – 8/14/2026
| Nests this week | 1 |
| False Crawls this week | 1 |
| 2026 Total Nests | 457 |
| 2026 Total False Crawls | 569 |
| 2026 Adult Disorientations | 20 |
| 2026 Hatched Nests | 148 |
| 2026 Nests Inventoried | 137 |
| Nests remaining on the beach | 233 |
| 2026 Hatchlings Produced | 8,722 |
| 2026 Hatch Disorientations | 54 |
| 2026 # Disoriented Hatchlings | 1,534-3,550 |
| 2026 Diso Hatchlings found dead | 143 |
Beachgoers are always telling us about how they came here to see the sea turtles. Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch monitors and protects the sea turtles on Anna Maria Island to minimize the human impacts so they can survive to return to the Island as adults. We are doing this for the sea turtles but also so that future generations of humans can still see signs of sea turtles nesting and hatching on AMI. Most of you heard that we had a very sad day on Thursday – finding 55 dead hatchlings in the road that followed artificial light instead of the reflection of the night sky off the water. These weren’t the only sea turtles that were disoriented on the Island that night and with hatching season reaching its peak this week, we are expecting to see more. Here’s how the disorientations are looking this year: 2026 Disorientations
| AM | HB | BB | Total | |
| Min # Hatchlings | 0 | 290 | 1244 | 1534 |
| Max # Hatchlings | 0 | 740 | 2810 | 3550 |
| TOTAL # DISO NESTS | 0 | 14 | 40 | 54 |
| TOTAL # HATCHED NESTS | 22 | 44 | 82 | 148 |
| DISO RATE | 0% | 32% | 49% | 36% |
| Dead Hatchlings Found | 0 | 4 | 139 | 143 |
In 2025, we had a 31% disorientation rate on the Island and a record number of 150 hatchling disorientations. We are halfway through the season and already have a 36% disorientation rate and 54 hatchling disorientations. We need your help to prevent this number from growing and make sure that the hatchlings from the nests that we’ve been protecting for two months make it safely to the water. Here’s what you can do:
- Check your properties for any lights that can be seen from the beach and make sure they are turtle friendly
- Educate your renters and patrons to keep blinds closed at night and turn off unnecessary lights
- Contact AMITW to
- Learn how you can make your property more TURTLE FRIENDLY
- Get FREE educational materials to post for your renters
- Call AMITW’s 24-hour hotline (941) 301-8434 if you find any wayward hatchlings (dead or alive) you may find
In this time, I’m reminded of a quote from Charlie Hunsicker, Manatee County Parks and Natural Resources Director, “As we struggle with the business of life and with accommodating both our residents and tourists, we’ve got to remember there is wildlife that depends on us,…”
SHOREBIRDS:
As of Monday, the posting for the Least Tern colony was disassembled and most of the Least Terns have begun their migration to the Caribbean. However, it is still important to protect the shorebirds that are still on our shores. Many birds are preparing to migrate or stopping on Anna Maria during their migration. So let’s make sure they are welcome here on the island!
- Never intentionally force birds to fly. When birds are chased or disturbed, they use energy they need to reserve for nesting and migration.
- Keep pets away from birds – pets can be perceived as a threat to birds and will disturb them. Keep cats indoors.
- Keep the beach clean and do not feed wildlife. Birds need to find their own food and french fries are not healthy for them. Litter on beaches can attract predators and entangle birds.
- Spread the word! If you see people disturbing nesting birds, gently remind them how their actions may hurt birds’ survival. If they continue to disturb nesting birds, please call and report their activities to FWC’s Wildlife Alert hotline at 888-404-FWCC (3922).
Good Hatch – AMITW Turtle Patroller, Natalie Rosbury celebrates finding a good hatch! The tiny hatchling tracks leading from this nest traveled directly to the water. This is what we are hoping to see every morning on patrol. Credit: Kristen Mazzarella
Loggerhead Hatchling – A newly hatched loggerhead hatchling checks out its surroundings before making its way to the Gulf. Credit: Natalie Rosbury
Hatchling release – Several hatchlings rescued from a disorientation are released to the Gulf by AMITW volunteers to get another chance at life. Credit: Debbie Haynes
Excavation Crowd: AMITW volunteers draw a crowd of beachgoers as they excavate a hatched nest, in hopes of the possibility of seeing a live hatchling left behind in the nest. AMITW loves educating and excavations are a great way to see what we do and learn more about sea turtles. Credit: Amy Waterbury
PatrolAtSunrise: AMITW turtle patroller, Jeff Richmond stands next to our Turtle Patrol vehicle just before sunrise. Our patrollers start Credit: Maureen Richmond
SunsetRelease: Hatchlings are released by AMITW patrollers after resting for the day. Credit: Andrea Cramer