May 17, 2013

Nesting Begins to Pick Up

Nesting activity on Sanibel and Captiva has begun to pick up. There are now seven loggerhead nests on Sanibel and four on Captiva. In addition to monitoring for nesting activity, we also aided in the rescue of a very sick Kemp's ridley turtle this week. Two very kind boaters found it floating and lethargic near Sanibel's lighthouse. We met them at the dock and transported it to CROW for care.

Nest #4 on Captiva before it was staked for protection.

First nest laid east of Tarpon Bay Road on Sanibel.

A very sick Kemp's Ridley being transported to rehab.

May 10, 2013

2013 Nesting Season Underway



We’re off to a nice, slow start to nesting this year, which is quite a contrast from last year’s busy start. The first nest was laid before the official May 1 start to the nesting season on Captiva. Since then, there have been two nests laid on Sanibel

First loggerhead turtle nest on Sanibel Island. Photo by: Julie Reed
Help keep our beaches, and all beaches with nesting sea turtles, turtle-friendly by doing the following during nesting season:

-Shield or turn off any outdoor lighting that faces the beach
-Close curtains or blinds after dark 
-Never take flash photographs of a nesting turtle
-Take all beach furniture, toys, umbrellas, etc. with you when you leave the beach
-Respect all staked nesting areas
-Honor the leash law
-Fill in any holes you dig before you leave the beach
-If you see a nesting turtle, sit quietly at a respectful distance (at least 250ft) and enjoy!