In the last few weeks, SCCF’s sea turtle team has documented 12 green sea turtle (Chelonia mydas) nests on Sanibel. 

 

The team has been able to identify four different individual green nesters, two of which have been seen on Sanibel in years past and were part of a satellite tag tracking project in 2017, 2018, and 2019. 

 

“Most of the nesting on Sanibel and Captiva is primarily by loggerhead sea turtles so a different species is always extra exciting,” said Research Associate Andrew Glinsky. “Based on the number and timing of nests there could possibly be as many as two more green sea turtles that we have yet to positively ID.”

 

One of the green turtles, named “Gardenia,” was seen nesting during the day recently. Sea turtle volunteer Nancy Riley was fortunate to witness the event and captured this photo from a safe distance.

As of today, Sanibel has 440 loggerhead (Caretta caretta) nests and Captiva has 139 loggerhead nests as hatching season is ramping up on our islands.

 

Long-time volunteer Irene Nolan is pictured here doing an inventory of the first loggerhead nest that was laid this season.

Her egg count showed that 132 hatchlings emerged from the nest on the East End of Sanibel. To date, nine nests on both islands have hatched, with nearly 1,000 hatchlings.