It's Turtle Time!
- May 17
- 2 min read
It’s sea turtle nesting time on the 4x4 beach, and you may spot the patrol at sunrise looking for tracks or signs of overnight nesting.
Nesting season typically begins in late May and runs through September, sometimes into early October. Most sea turtles come ashore at night, except for Kemp’s Ridleys, which often nest during the day.
The most common species here in the OBX is the loggerhead, but green and Kemp’s Ridley turtles also nest on our beaches. Leatherbacks and hawksbills are rare visitors. All sea turtles are endangered and protected under the Endangered Species Act of 1973.
When a nest is found, volunteers from the Network for Endangered Sea Turtles (N.E.S.T.) step in to protect it—locating the eggs, placing data loggers, and setting up a perimeter until hatchlings emerge. If no eggs are found, it’s called a “false crawl.” The data loggers track temperature inside the nest, helping predict when the hatchlings will emerge. They also help volunteers locate the nest if the perimeter stakes are lost after a storm.
A mother can lay a clutch size of 85 to 150 ping pong ball-sized eggs. Once laid, the mother does not return, but she may nest again later in the season.
If you see a sea turtle, please call the N.E.S.T. 24-hour hotline at 252-441-8622. You can also support their work through their Adopt-a-Nest program. Learn more at https://www.nestobx.org/
Ways you can help protect sea turtles:
Cut down on plastic & keep beaches clean: Reduce single-use plastics like bags, balloons, bottles, and straws.
Turn off lights: Turn off or shield lights visible from the beach, as artificial light will disorient nesting females and hatchlings. Many communities are adopting Dark Sky initiatives. Learn more about beach lighting here.
Keep beaches turtle friendly. Remove chairs, umbrellas, and gear at the end of the day. Fill in holes and knock down sandcastles to prevent obstacles.
Drive carefully: Go slow on the 4x4 beach—especially at night—and watch for turtles, which can be hard to see in the sand.
Choose seafood wisely: Look for seafood caught using turtle-friendly methods like circle hooks and turtle excluder devices (TEDs).
Support conservation: Donate to organizations working on research, habitat protection, and advocacy.
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