NEST reports record number of sea turtle nests on Northern Outer Banks

By Outer Banks Voice on August 9, 2026

The 52nd nest tied the previous record. (Photo credit: N.E.S.T. (Network for Endangered Sea Turtles)

A Loggerhead Sea Turtle nest discovered on the Currituck four-wheel drive beach this past week has set the record for the number of nests found on the Northern Outer Banks in a season.

Several days ago, the Network for Endangered Sea Turtles (NEST) reported on Facebook that a nest laid by a Green Sea Turtle in Nags Head had tied the previous record of 52 nests that was set in 2016.

NEST noted that due to Nags Head beach nourishment work that needed to be finalized, the 142 eggs were relocated to a safe location. Facebook. Some of the nests located in Nags Head beach nourishment area have been relocated to Kill Devil Hills.

According to the chart tracking the number of nests on the NEST website, the 52^nd nest was discovered on Aug. 1. The discovery of the record-breaking 53^rd nest was dated on Aug. 4. General 3 — Network for Endangered Sea Turtles. Overall, more than half of the nests discovered this season (28) were in Nags Head and Kill Devil Hills.

NEST has also reported that the sea turtle hatchlings have started to emerge from their nests and is tracking those numbers. Beginning on July 25 with a nest in Southern Shores, the organization has recorded 565 hatchlings to date.

Sea turtle nests on the Cape Hatteras National Seashore (CHNS) are monitored by the CHNS, and as of Aug. 6, it is reporting a total of 390 nests in the 2026 season.

That count includes 278 nests on Hatteras Island, 20 on Bodie Island, and 92 on Ocracoke Island. The data also indicate that 32 of those nests have hatched to this point. CHNS adds that those numbers are estimates and not finalized. Field Summary – Cape Hatteras National Seashore (U.S. National Park Service)

If you observe a sea turtle on the beach it is urgent you call NEST’s 24 hour hotline (252) 441-8622. Visit N.E.S.T (Network for Endangered Sea Turtles) to learn more or to donate. Follow them on Facebook for updates.