AMITW Weekly Nesting Numbers 8/8/2025
| 8/2/2025 – 8/8/2025 | Loggerhead | Green | |
| Nests this week | 5 | 5 | 0 |
| False Crawls this week | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| 2025 Total Nests | 539 | 525 | 14 |
| 2025 Total False Crawls | 822 | 794 | 28 |
| 2025 Hatched Nests | 188 | 186 | 2 |
| 2025 Nests Inventoried | 176 | 174 | 2 |
| 2025 Hatchlings Produced | 14,156 | 13,973 | 183 |
| 2025 Adult Disorientations | 30 | 28 | 2 |
| 2025 Hatchling Disorientations | 72 | 71 | 1 |
| Nests remaining on the beach | 355 | 343 | 12 |
We have kept quite busy this first week of August! We continue to document hatches and conduct nest excavations, and have also rescued multiple birds, been assisted by West Manatee Fire Rescue retrieving disoriented hatchlings from storm drains, and been lucky enough to observe a daytime hatch! Nesting continues to drop as the nesting females leave the nesting beaches to head to their foraging grounds. This is where they will spend the next 2-3 years feeding and resting up before they return for another nesting season. (See photo attached of Winnie’s track)
As hatching is in full swing right now, we want to remind people that “helping” sea turtles hatch is both illegal and unnecessary. Sea turtles have been around since the time of the dinosaurs and know when and how to make it to the water on their own. The only help they need is for us to provide them a dark, flat beach like they would’ve had before humans – free from artificial lights, debris, and holes to run into. If you see a sea turtle in trouble, please call Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch’s 24/7 hotline 941-301-8434 for instructions on how to proceed. Please keep your hands and feet out of the posted area and let the hatchlings do what they need to do. Here are some answers to some frequently asked questions about hatches:
Why don’t you shine lights by the water to lead the hatchlings?
Shining a light by the water may lead the hatchlings you are watching towards the water, but it will also cause other hatchlings further down the beach to travel unnecessarily towards your light expending important energy. We have seen hatchling tracks that go hundreds of feet parallel to the water following a light instead of directly 5 feet to the water’s edge. Not only that, but shining light on the water attracts the fish that will feed on the hatchlings as they enter the water.
Why don’t you pick up the hatchlings and put them into the water?
Hatchlings have been crammed together in their nest for a few days since they hatched and really need to stretch their muscles, fully inflate their lungs, and get blood flowing to all their extremities. In addition, they use the crawl to the water to orient themselves and imprint on the beach they came from so they can find it when they return as adults. By placing them in the water, they are deprived of these important activities.
Why don’t you make a runway to the water to direct the hatchlings in the right direction?
Hatchlings naturally spread out on the beach as they make their way to the water. This ensures that they don’t all enter at the same location where an underwater predator may be waiting to eat them.
With your help we can protect the sea turtles of Anna Maria Island!
Photo:
Hatchling Rescue: The West Manatee Fire Rescue helped us out several times this week, opening storm drains to rescue hatchlings that had disoriented down Gulf Drive and Bridge Street. Credit: Kristen Mazzarella
Hatchling At Sunrise: A hatchling makes its way to the Gulf at sunrise. Credit: Jerry Miller
Pelican on Patrol: A brown pelican tags along on patrol after being rescued at Coquina Beach. It was picked up by Wildlife, Inc. Credit :Peggy Welch
Hatchling Swim: A loggerhead hatchling takes its first swim. Credit Andrea Cramer
Human Disturbance: Evidence of humans digging inside a posted nest closure over the nest chamber and creating a “runway” for hatchlings at a nest on AMI. Credit: Alexis Demetropoulos
Winnie At Foraging Grounds: Winnie, the loggerhead satellite tagged after nesting on Anna Maria Island in June has finished nesting and traveled to her foraging grounds which appear to be off Naples, FL.