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...
Foley, Ala. — (OBA) — A new community resource in Foley will help local nonprofit and civic organizations access event equipment at no cost. Lee Charities announced the opening of The Sharing Shed, which will provide free tables, chairs, tablecloths and pop-up tents to qualifying groups. The program aims to reduce rent
Orange Beach, Ala. — (OBA) — Orange Beach Surf Rescue is already looking ahead to the summer of 2026 and is inviting new applicants to try out as Beach Safety Lifeguards. The agency is calling on strong swimmers and runners who are interested in protecting beachgoers. Organizers say the tryouts are the first step...
Orange Beach, Ala. — (OBA) — As Thanksgiving week arrives, there’s plenty to be grateful for on the Alabama Gulf Coast, where days ahead are filled with holiday excitement and coastal charm. There are numerous ways to celebrate, explore, and spend quality time with family and friends. From ice skating and visiting...
Orange Beach, Ala. — (OBA) — Alabama State Parks Division is asking visitors to help neighbors in need through a new initiative called Parks for People. The effort is a statewide food drive that focuses on communities around Alabama State Parks. Organizers say the goal is to connect outdoor recreation with service to o
Orange Beach, Ala. — (OBA) — Residents in Orange Beach, Gulf Shores and Foley will see changes to city office hours and sanitation services during the Thanksgiving holiday week. Each city has adjusted garbage, recycling and debris pickup schedules around the Thursday, November 27, and Friday, November 28, observance.
Foley, Ala. — (OBA) — The Baldwin County Highway Department will start the second phase of intersection improvements at County Road 65 and County Road 12 next month. The project includes adding new left-turn lanes on County Road 12 and replacing the temporary traffic signal with a permanent storm-resilient mast-arm...
Foley, Ala. — (OBA) — Foley officials have renamed the Foley Municipal Airport to Holk Field in honor of former Mayor Arthur Holk. The change recognizes a family whose service to the city spans generations. The decision was made through a resolution passed by the Foley City Council. Family members of the late mayor att
Gulf Shores, Ala. — (OBA) — Gulf Shores City Schools is welcoming a new member to its campuses as Phin, a ten-month-old Goldendoodle, begins her service as the district’s first comfort dog. The school system says she will support student well-being. Officials note she has been specially trained for this role. Her...
Orange Beach, Ala. – (OBA) – Orange Beach decided to move forward with two new projects after this week’s council meeting and work session. One of those will happen across the street from the senior center, library and art center campuses. A second will be a connection with the recreation center campus with a new...
Gulf Shores, Ala. — (OBA) — A joint investigation into stolen mail in Baldwin County led to the arrest of a Foley man accused of targeting dozens of residents. Gulf Shores Police Department, the Foley Police Department and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service worked together on the case. Authorities said the thefts...
