A Mother’s Day turtle tale on the National Seashore

By on May 13, 2023

Turtle tracks entering and exiting the ocean, turning around on shore. (NPS photo/ A. Walker)

This well-timed story about a Loggerhead laying the first nest of the season was reported by the Cape Hatteras National Seashore on May 12.

Right on cue for Mother’s Day weekend, a Loggerhead Sea Turtle laid the first nest on the Seashore! On a routine patrol, Park Biologists found turtle tracks this morning on Ocracoke Island. After following the tracks and carefully digging in the sand, a nest with eggs was confirmed. After confirmation, the nest was covered back up, and rope fencing installed to protect the nest from being walked on or run over.

Please adhere to signage and nighttime driving restrictions along the Seashore as we share the beach with wildlife and provide them a safe nesting space.

The top of a sea turtle nest with eggs showing in the sand. (NPS photo/ A. Thompson)

 

Historical data for those interested:
  • 2022- First nest (Loggerhead) on May 20th, Ocracoke Island
  • 2021- First nest (Loggerhead) on May 14th, Ocracoke Island
  • 2020- First nest (Loggerhead) on May 17th, Hatteras Island

Outer Banks sea turtle nesting season is May through September. For more from Cape Hatteras National Seashore follow them on their Facebook page. To learn more about Sea Turtles visit Cape Hatteras Nation Seashore Sea Turtles.

 

Comments

  • Paulsack

    With all these annoying ads, I thought this was obx today?

    Sunday, May 14 @ 8:16 am

  • Just a mom

    I just took time out of my day to see what kind of beautiful piece had been written about Mother’s Day on the Outer banks voice and was sorely disappointed. Nothing. No words of Grace or gratitude for the women who held life within them and then cared for it. The women for all of time each one so vital to the existence of the next. Nothing.
    Well…
    I and many appreciate you XX born beings. You beautiful women!
    Thank you for the dedication and work you have done for not just today but for the future!
    ( I feel the same about Father’s Day)
    Perhaps a piece will be printed for the XY gender so I don’t have to complain and all I will have to do is say , along the lines of… great story , or fantastic piece …)
    So many things could have been written to honor mothers yet nothing
    Why?.

    Sunday, May 14 @ 9:17 pm

  • Mark Jurkowitz | Outer Banks Voice

    We decided to honor turtle moms with a story this Mother’s Day.

    Sunday, May 14 @ 9:22 pm