As of June 10, the Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation has documented 371 loggerhead nests and one leatherback nest on Sanibel and Captiva since April 24. Even with the excess rain this week, sea turtle eggs are designed to withstand such conditions. They are permeable, so a little extra water shouldn’t be an issue and may even have a beneficial cooling effect on nests. The biggest threats to incubating eggs from storms include prolonged inundation or beach erosion and accretion, which can wash out nests or change nest conditions. However, sea turtles lay multiple nests per season at different times, showing their adaptability and resilience. So, even if one nest washes away, others are likely to produce hatchlings.
To report issues with sea turtles, nests, lighting, or beach obstructions, please call the SCCF Sea Turtle Hotline at 978-728-3663.