Early birds catch the turtle nest

Sanctuary condominium General Manager Sheila Connell and maintenance supervisor Fred Boessel were out on the beach at 5 a.m. April 30, to ensure the property’s lights weren’t visible from the beach.

They check out the property bright and early every year before nesting season starts.

But this year, they noticed a large mound fairly close to the water with flipper tracks around it. Connell called Mote by 7 a.m. that morning to report their discovery, and Mote confirmed it had found the first nest in all of Sarasota County one day ahead of nesting season.