Season's first turtle nest found on Longboat

The first loggerhead turtle nest of the season was found today, April 30 — one day before the official start of nesting season — and reported to Mote Marine Laboratory.

The nest was laid on the Sarasota County portion of Longboat Key.

“We’re excited to have our first nest of the year, and we hope the season will continue to get under way right on schedule,” said Kristen Mazzarella, senior biologist with Mote’s Sea Turtle Conservation and Research Program, in a prepared statement. “The nest was laid just a day before our patrols start, so we are grateful to the residents of Longboat Key for notifying us. The nest was reported to Mote by locals who were checking that their outdoor lighting was turtle-friendly — that’s exactly the right thing to do at this time of year.”

Contact Robin Hartill at [email protected].