• Aerial View of Padre Island National Seashore

    Padre Island

    National Seashore Texas

News

Sea turtle nesting is underway! The number and locations of Kemp's ridley nests found so far this year include:

Location

Kemp's ridley nests found

Mustang Island

1

Padre Island National Seashore

5

South Padre Island

4

Boca Chica Beach

1

TOTAL in Texas

11


Please note these data are only preliminary.

Each year some lucky beachgoers actually get to see a sea turtle nesting! If you see one, don't rush up to her or she may not lay eggs. Stay at a distance and let her nest undisturbed. Try to take photos or videos if possible. Look to see if she has any tags and write down the number. After she has finished nesting, let her return to the sea and don't stand in front of her or disturb her. Put a distinct marker just to the side of the spot where she nested. Report all information to a turtle patroller, park ranger, or other beach official, or call 361-949-8173 extension 226.

Information on nests that are found, including projected hatch dates, will be posted on the park website. You can also check the park's Facebook pages, "Padre Island National Seashore" and "Padre Island NS Division of Sea Turtle Science & Recovery" for updated information. Once nests are found, call the park's Hatchling Hotline at 361-949-7163 for information on projected hatchling releases.

Programs offered at Padre Island National Seashore for May1-31, 2013:

  • Beach Walk - offered Saturdays and Sundays at 11:00 a.m. Come along on a leisurely 45-60 minute walk with a ranger and learn about what makes Padre Island National Seashore such a special and important place. Bring a hat and sunscreen to protect yourself from the sun. This light stroll is suitable for all ages.
  • Deck Talk - offered daily at 1:00 p.m. Join a ranger for an informal 30-45 minute talk on various aspects of the island's natural & cultural history, or to learn about fascinating items that have been found on Padre Island's coastline.
  • Junior Ranger - offered daily during Visitor Center hours of 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. This is a self-paced program for individuals usually ranging from ages 5-12, but anyone is welcome to participate. Upon completion of the booklet, each participant is awarded an official Junior Ranger badge and certificate, and is sworn in as a National Park Service Junior Ranger. Program booklets and pencils are available at the visitor center.

Programs may be subject to change. For more information, call the Malaquite Visitor Center at 361-949-8068.

Our own Dr. Donna Shaver, Chief of the Division of Sea Turtle Science and Recovery, has been honored with the 2012 National Park Service Excellence in Natural Resource Research Award! Read more about the award and Dr. Shaver's accomplishments by clicking on this link:

http://www.nps.gov/aboutus/ nrawards.htm

What's the Best Way to Stay Connected?
Padre Island National Seashore has two Facebook pages for you to stay connected to what is happening in the park.

Click here for Padre Island National Seashore's main Facebook page. http://www.facebook.com/pages/Padre-Island-National-Seashore/137276362992142

Click here for Division of Sea Turtle Science & Recovery's Facebook page.

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Padre-Island-NS-Division-of-Sea-Turtle-Science-Recovery/149675511741530

 
 
 

Did You Know?

White-tailed buck (odocoileus virginianus)

The white-tailed deer on the island are not considered the island's largest native mammal because they are believed to come across the Laguna Madre from the mainland.  Coyotes are considered the island's largest native mammal. More...