2017 sea turtle nest with tracks/NPS.

Biologists have identified the first sea turtle nest of the season at Gulf Islands National Seashore. The nest was discovered early on the morning of May 20th. On May 23rd, the park’s widely popular turtle magnets became available for visitors.

Created in 1971, this national seashore stretches 160 miles along the northern coast of the Gulf of Mexico in Florida and Mississippi, and includes barrier islands, maritime forests, historic forts, bayous, and marine habitat.

Each year, beginning in mid-May and ending in late summer, the seashore provides some of the best nesting habitat for several species of sea turtle, including the loggerhead, Kemp’s ridley, and green species; on occasion leatherback sea turtles do nest within the seashore as well. Adult and hatchling sea turtles are distracted or disoriented by man-made artificial light sources which draw them away from the Gulf of Mexico and inland. These disoriented turtles often die from dehydration, are preyed upon by coyotes and ghost crabs, or sometimes crawl onto roads or parking lots where they are run over by cars.

Magnets are available at the Fort Pickens Discovery Center and Entrance Station, Park Headquarters in Gulf Breeze, and the Perdido Key and Opal Beach Entrance Stations. This year’s magnet again features messaging reminding everyone to turn out the lights for sea turtles, and displaying turtle magnets on vehicles throughout the area reminds everyone of the importance of helping sea turtles survive.

“By turning off excess outdoor lights and installing sea turtle friendly lights, we can all help to protect nesting and hatching sea turtles,” said Superintendent Dan Brown.

Park staff and volunteers are monitoring park beaches daily for nesting and hatching activity as the season progresses. If you see a sea turtle at night, keep your distance and keep all lights off (including flash lights and flash photography).