SCCF launches new tracker for nesting season
The Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation’s (SCCF) Coastal Wildlife team recently announced the launch of a new monthly tracker that will entail updates on sea turtle and shorebird nesting seasons.
The updates will be sent out on the last Wednesday of the month through October.
“Our data reporting includes year-over-year comparisons, so you can see how the 2026 nesting season is unfolding relative to 2025,” the SCCF reported. “While this provides useful context, it’s also important to remember that two-year snapshots are not sufficient to characterize true trends, particularly for long-lived species such as sea turtles.”
It also noted that shorebird colonies are dynamic, and the number of nests is constantly changing as predation occurs and nests hatch. Exact totals will be estimates. For the nests, coyotes are not the sole predator, and washouts are not the only other cause of loss. Some snowy plover nests are abandoned, and nests are lost to ghost crabs, crows and, most recently, snakes.
“After sea turtle nesting season ends on Oct. 30, we will spend several weeks carefully assessing the final season counts, along with expanded comparative data that reflect multi-year trends,” the SCCF reported. “In December, we will send out a final tracker for the 2026 nesting season, along with those trends.”
To help protect sea turtles and shorebirds during nesting season, visit https://sancaplifesavers.org/.
To report issues with nests, nesting turtles or hatchlings, call the Sea Turtle Hotline at 978-728-3663.
To report issues with shorebird, email shorebirds@sccf.org.