Turtle Watch holds first public nest excavation of the season

Longboat Key Turtle Watch held a public excavation of the first hatched loggerhead turtle nest of the season on June 21.

The nest, at 4725 Gulf of Mexico Drive, was laid on April 28 and hatched on June 18. A total of 134 eggs hatched slightly earlier than the average 55-day incubation period.

At the excavation, Turtle Watch President Tim Thurman spoke about sea turtles and their nesting habits and educated attendees to help with sea turtle conservation by leaving no trace when they end their beach day. He also spoke about the importance of keeping the lights off at night during sea turtle nesting season from May 1 to Oct. 31 to avoid disorientation.

Female turtles lay four to seven nests each season with approximately 100 eggs per nest, and only one out of 1,000 hatchlings is expected to reach maturity.