First Sea Turtle Nest in Alabama for the 2020 Season
R. Ken Cooper • May 14, 2020
The day of the first sea turtle nest of 2020 season happened on May 14th
Photo of the May 14th Sea Turtle nesting tracks by Share the Beach Volunteers
On the morning of May 14th the first sea turtle nest of the 2020 season was discovered on West Beach in Gulf Shores by the West Beach Sea Turtle Volunteers of Share the Beach - Alabama's Sea Turtle Conservation Program.
It takes between 55 and 70 days for a sea turtle nest to hatch once it's been laid. The earliest this nest would hatch would be July 8th and the latest it would hatch would be July 23rd.
It's estimated that about 7,500 sea turtles make it to the gulf each year from the Alabama Gulf Coast.
According to NOAA, " Sea turtles are ancient species, having been around since the time of the dinosaurs — about 110 million years."
"All six sea turtle species found in U.S. waters are protected by the Endangered Species Act. They are the green, hawksbill, Kemp's ridley, leatherback, loggerhead, and olive ridley."
"All six sea turtle species found in U.S. waters are protected by the Endangered Species Act. They are the green, hawksbill, Kemp's ridley, leatherback, loggerhead, and olive ridley."
By far, the most common sea turtle found on Alabama Beach are loggerheads. We normally see a couple of Kemp's Ridley and rarely see Green Sea Turtles.
Also according to NOAA, "It takes 20-30 years for a sea turtle to reach sexual maturity. When a female is ready to lay eggs, she returns to the nesting beach where she was born, even if she has not been there for 30 years! Some females nest every year until the age of 80."
"Loggerheads nest from April to September and generally build 3-5 nests per season, totaling 35 pounds of eggs."
From the Alabama Sea Turtles website:
"During the 2019 nesting season, 114 nests were documented on Alabama beaches. One of the 114 total nests was laid by a green turtle on June 22 on Orange Beach, with the remaining 113 nests those of loggerhead sea turtles.
"During the 2019 nesting season, 114 nests were documented on Alabama beaches. One of the 114 total nests was laid by a green turtle on June 22 on Orange Beach, with the remaining 113 nests those of loggerhead sea turtles.
The 2019 nesting season represents a 36.6% increase in recorded annual nests from 2018, and 51.5% fewer nests than the maximum number of nests recorded in Alabama (n=235 in 2016).
An estimated 7,037 eggs were laid on our beaches in 2019, with an average clutch size of 103.6 eggs per nest. Approximately 3,597 hatchlings successfully made it to the water with an overall hatching success of 51% for nests on Alabama beaches. This hatching success rate includes the impacts of both TS Barry and high levels of predation on the westernmost end of Dauphin Island. Average incubation period was 56 days for this season.
Tropical Storm Barry impacted Alabama beaches on 11-14 July. Collectively, 66 nests (57.9%) were negatively impacted by the storm surge and/or the rise in groundwater associated with this storm system.
We are continuing to work towards mitigating/reducing the negative impacts of artificial lighting on sea turtles. However, in 2019, 17 adult female sea turtles and hatchlings from 7 nests were disoriented due to artificial lighting."
More photos below from the May 14th Sea Turtle nesting on West Beach in Gulf Shores.
Share this article w/ Friends...
Orange Beach, Ala. — (OBA) — The American Heart Association has launched a new health program at the Orange Beach Public Library. The initiative is called Libraries with Heart and is designed to help residents monitor their blood pressure at home. Community partners say the effort will give people easier access to...
Gulf Shores, Ala. — (OBA) — Starting this December, the city will no longer send business and rental license renewal forms through traditional U.S. mail. Instead, all renewal forms will be delivered only by email. City officials say the change is meant to be more efficient. They also hope it will save money and...
Foley, Ala. — (OBA) — City leaders in Foley are planning major changes to the current public library building. The work is meant to improve access for older adults and people with disabilities. The building will later become the city’s Senior Center. The plans are tied to the construction of a new library.
Gulf Shores, Ala. — (OBA) — Construction on the City of Gulf Shores Pedestrian Bridge is moving forward on schedule, with steady work visible on both sides of the project. Crews are working on the bridge structure as well as nearby parking and streetscape improvements. City officials say the work is designed to...
Orange Beach, Ala. — (OBA) — The City of Orange Beach has launched a new online portal for business licenses and related applications. The system uses OpenGov Permitting & Licensing. City leaders say it will cut paperwork, save time and money. They expect faster decisions for businesses and residents.
Robertsdale, Ala. — (OBA) — Baldwin County Public Schools Superintendent Eddie Tyler has notified parents about an important change to counseling consent rules. He said he usually shares policy updates in his back‑to‑school email each August, but this situation is different. The district began the year collecting...
Foley, Ala. — (OBA) — Foley officials are adding new traffic control near the city’s hospital as services and patient numbers continue to grow. The city plans to change an existing intersection to better handle the heavier traffic. Leaders say the change is meant to improve safety as well as traffic flow. Residents...
Orange Beach, Ala. – (OBA) – Plans continue in Orange Beach to make improvements to the recreation campus in the northwest intersection of Canal Road and Wilson Boulevard. Pickleball courts and expanded parking are already underway and, work has begun on Contorno Park on the western edge of the campus. Next on the...
Gulf Shores, Ala. — (OBA) — Local musicians are joining forces to help struggling families in lower Baldwin County through a benefit concert. The event aims to raise funds and collect food donations for the Christian Service Center. Six musical acts will perform at the fundraiser called Pantry Stock.
Orange Beach, Ala. — (OBA) — According to Hotel Business, an Alabama-based investor group has purchased Perdido Beach Resort in Orange Beach. The new owners say the popular Gulf Coast property will remain under local leadership. They also say they are committed to its long-term future. The resort has served families...
