Pensacola Beach Records its First Loggerhead Nest of the Season

Escambia County Sea Turtle Patrol recorded the first nest laid on county beaches on Pensacola Beach early this morning, May 28, to kickoff the 2021 nesting season.

The female loggerhead had to crawl through and over several tent frames left on the beach overnight before finding a suitable nesting site. While it appears this female was able to safely return to the Gulf, tents, chairs and other furniture left on the beach overnight present dangerous obstacles for nesting females.

"Luckily the personal items left on the beach did not deter the female loggerhead from nesting," said Natural Resources Management Director Tim Day. "We want to remind beachgoers to leave no trace and follow guidance to protect our sea turtles this season."

Four species of sea turtle nest on Escambia County beaches May-October, loggerheads greens, leatherbacks and the rare Kemp’s Ridley. Loggerheads are the most common nester and account for over 90% of the nests laid each year. Once laid, the eggs will incubate for around 60 days, after which hatchlings emerge under the cover of darkness and make their way to the Gulf of Mexico.

Sea turtles of all sizes face many threats. For nesting females, furniture, tents and toys left on the beach overnight create obstacles that can trap or injure them during a nesting attempt. White lights on the beach may deter them from nesting or cause them to abandon a nesting attempt, also known as a false crawl.

With the busy Memorial Day weekend here, beachgoers can help protect nesting sea turtles in Escambia County by remembering:

• Leave No Trace! Remove all furniture and toys from the beach when you’re done for the day, including hammocks, tents, canopies, chairs, toys and sports equipment.
• Lights Out! Female turtles prefer dark, quiet beaches for nesting and hatchlings need dark skies to find the Gulf of Mexico. Leave the flashlights and cell phones at home or use a red flashlight when on the beach at night. Turn off beach-facing lights and close windows and curtains to keep our beaches dark.
• Stow It, Don’t Throw it! Trash and food waste can entangle turtles and other wildlife and attract unwanted predators. Always dispose of trash in the proper receptacle and refrain from feeding wildlife.
• If You Dig It, Fill It! Large holes are hazardous to both wildlife and people. Avoid digging large holes and fill in any holes, trenches or moats at the end of your visit.

If you encounter a nesting turtle, turn off all lights and retreat a safe distance away. Dead or injured sea turtles should be reported to Escambia County Marine Resources at (850) 426-1257 or the FWC Wildlife Alert line at 1-888-404-FWCC (3922).

For more information about sea turtles in Escambia County visit www.myescambia.com/seaturtles. All sea turtle work performed by Escambia County was completed under Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission Permit #032a.