FLASH NEWS: Rare Sea Turtle Nesting Discovered on Outer Banks Beach

There have been several record-breaking years in recent history when it comes to sea turtle nests on the Cape Hatteras National Seashore (CHNS), and with 268 nests recorded so far, 2024 is on track to be another highly active year for visiting sea turtles as well.

Sea turtle nests laid by loggerheads, Kemp’s Ridley turtles, green turtles, and leatherbacks have been monitored at CHNS since the 1970s. The Outer Banks serves as seasonal breeding grounds for endangered sea turtles, and the nesting season typically begins slowly in mid-to-late May, before it heats up in the prime summer months. In 2024, the first sea turtle nest was discovered on May 11 in Frisco.

While the nesting season is starting to slightly wind down, sea turtle nests will begin to hatch in the weeks and months ahead, after a roughy 60-day incubation period.

FLASH NEWS: Rare Sea Turtle Nesting Discovered on Outer Banks Beach

July and August tend to mark the halfway point of the full spring-to-fall sea turtle nesting season, and the late-July tallies of sea turtle nests over the past five years are listed below.

With 268 nests so far, 2024 is in a position to have a busy sea turtle nesting season, although the total number of nests may not be as high as recent milestone years.

2019 had the highest number of nests recorded within CHNS by far with 479 nests, but 2023 boasted the second-highest number of nests since data collection began, with a total of 380 nests recorded.

2022 was not far behind with a total of 379 nests, and 2020 and 2021 were solid years for sea turtles as well, with a total of 228 nests recorded in 2020, and a total of 315 nests recorded in 2021.

The high number of sea turtle nests in recent years appears to be a multiple-year trend all along the Eastern Seaboard, according to data from seaturtle.org, which actively monitors sea turtle nests all around the globe.

Due to the recent highly active nesting seasons, visitors are advised to be aware of sea turtle nesting activity or hatchlings while visiting the local beaches on Hatteras and Ocracoke Islands. If you see turtle tracks, nesting activity, or hatchlings, please notify park biologists by calling the stranding hotline at 252-216-6892.

• First Sea Turtle Nest of the Season Found on Outer Banks’ Hatteras IslandThe Outer Banks, known for its pristine beaches and diverse wildlife, has officially marked the beginning of the sea turtle nesting season with the discovery of the first nest of the year on Hatteras Island. This significant event has sparked excitement among local conservationists, environmentalists, and residents, as it signals the start of another critical nesting season for endangered sea turtles in North Carolina. The finding underscores the importance of ongoing conservation efforts and the need for continued public involvement in protecting these ancient marine reptiles.

  A Milestone for Conservation Efforts

  The discovery of the first sea turtle nest of the season on Hatteras Island is a milestone in the annual sea turtle conservation efforts along the Outer Banks. Every year, conservation groups and volunteers monitor beaches across the region for signs of nesting activity. The first nest is eagerly anticipated as it serves as an early indicator of how the season will unfold. The Outer Banks is a vital nesting ground for three species of sea turtles—loggerheads, greens, and leatherbacks—all of which are listed as endangered or threatened under the Endangered Species Act.

  The nest, which was found by a team of trained volunteers from the Cape Hatteras National Seashore, contains the eggs of a loggerhead sea turtle. Loggerheads are the most commonly encountered sea turtle species in the region and are known for their large heads and strong jaws, which allow them to feed on hard-shelled prey like conchs and crabs. Though the nest is the first of the season, the volunteers are hopeful that it will be followed by many more in the coming weeks as the nesting season progresses.

  The discovery of this first nest is especially significant because sea turtle nesting is a delicate and often unpredictable process. Each year, factors such as beach erosion, human activity, and climate conditions can have a profound impact on the success of turtle nests. The careful monitoring of these nests is crucial to ensuring that hatchlings have the best chance of reaching the ocean safely.

  Challenges Facing Sea Turtles

  While the discovery of the first nest is cause for celebration, it also brings attention to the many challenges that sea turtles continue to face. All species of sea turtles are vulnerable to threats such as habitat destruction, rising sea levels due to climate change, and human interference. One of the biggest challenges for sea turtles is the loss of suitable nesting sites. Coastal development, beach erosion, and the construction of sea walls have dramatically reduced the available nesting habitat in many parts of the world.

  Artificial lighting is another significant concern for sea turtles. When sea turtles come ashore to lay their eggs, they rely on the natural light of the moon to guide them back to the ocean. However, artificial lights from nearby homes, hotels, or streetlights can disorient the turtles, causing them to become confused and head in the wrong direction. This is especially dangerous for hatchlings, as they may end up heading toward roads or other hazards instead of the water.

  In addition to these challenges, rising temperatures due to climate change pose a serious threat to the sex ratios of sea turtle populations. Sea turtle eggs are temperature-sensitive, and warmer sand temperatures lead to an increase in female hatchlings, while cooler temperatures produce more male hatchlings. This shift in sex ratios could have long-term consequences for the reproductive success of sea turtles.

  Ongoing Conservation and Community Involvement

  The discovery of the first nest of the season is a reminder of the ongoing need for active conservation efforts. Local organizations, such as the North Carolina Sea Turtle Project and the Cape Hatteras National Seashore, continue to monitor nesting sites and work to protect both the nests and the turtles themselves. Volunteers play an essential role in these efforts, and many individuals and families come to the Outer Banks each year to help with nest monitoring, data collection, and public education.

  One of the most important aspects of conservation efforts is educating the public about how they can help protect sea turtles. Beachgoers are urged to follow guidelines to avoid disturbing nesting sites, including staying a safe distance from marked nests, minimizing artificial lighting near the beach, and avoiding walking on dunes where turtles may be nesting. These efforts, while seemingly small, can have a significant impact on the success of sea turtle nesting in the region.

  Other tips to help protect sea turtles and hatchlings during the nesting season, per the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission, include the following:

  • Fill in all holes in the sand at the end of the day.
  • Pick up all your trash when you leave.
  • If fishing, properly dispose of any fishing line. Improperly discarded fishing lines are often deadly to turtles, birds, and other marine animals.
  • Use your natural vision and moonlight when walking the beach at night.
  • If you encounter a turtle on the beach at night, remain quiet, still, and at a distance. Flash photography and human disturbances may prevent her from nesting successfully.