Current Sea Turtle Nesting Season

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2019 Nesting Season

 
Sea turtle eggs hatch underneath the sand over a period of 1-4 days, making it difficult to predict when they will be ready for release. The sand sinking indicates the eggs are in the process of hatching.
Sea turtle eggs hatch underneath the sand over a period of 1-4 days, making it difficult to predict when they will be ready for release. The sand sinking indicates the eggs are in the process of hatching. NPS Photo.
PROJECTED RELEASE DATES FOR KEMP’S RIDLEY SEA TURTLE NESTS HELD IN THE INCUBATION FACILITY AT PADRE ISLAND NATIONAL SEASHORE – 2019 (Days 47-51)

Nest Number(s) Projected release sometime between
1 June 6-10
2, 3 June 12-16
5 June 13-19
7 June 15-22
27 June 22-26
10-12, 14, 17-19, 22, 23, 25, 28, 29 June 23-27
32 June 24-28
35 June 25-29
36, 37 June 29-July 2
38 June 30-July 3


Note, not all hatchlings are released at public releases, and public releases do not occur daily. For answers to frequently asked questions and tips for increasing your chances of seeing a hatchling release this summer, check out our page on How to See a Sea Turtle Hatchling Release.
 
A female Kemp's ridley sea turtle nesting on the beaches of Padre Island National Seashore.
A female Kemp's ridley sea turtle nesting on the beaches of Padre Island.

NPS photo.

Kemp's ridley nests found in Texas in 2019

Bolivar Peninsula 1
Galveston Island 1
Brazoria County, north of Surfside 0
Surfside Beach 1
Quintana Beach 0
Bryan Beach 0
Brazoria County, North of Sargent Beach 0
Sargent Beach 0
Matagorda Peninsula 1
Matagorda Island 0
San Jose Island 0
Mustang Island 2
Corpus Christi Bay 0
North Padre Island, North of PAIS 1
Padre Island National Seashore (PAIS) 21
South Padre Island 9
Boca Chica Beach 1
Total* 38
 
Large tracks and nest area are made when loggerhead sea turtle nest on the beach.
A large disturbed nest area and tracks are made when loggerhead sea turtles nested on Padre Island. NPS Photo.

Loggerhead nests found in Texas in 2019

Galveston Island 0
Matagorda Peninsula 0
North Padre Island, North of PAIS 0
Padre Island National Seashore (PAIS) 0
South Padre Island 0
Total* 0
* Data presented here are preliminary. Do not cite or quote without permission. Contact Dr. Donna Shaver for further information.
 
Large disturbed nest areas and tracks are made when a green sea turtles nest on the beach.
These tracks were left behind by a green sea turtle that nested on Padre Island.

NPS Photo.

Green nests found in Texas in 2019

North Padre Island, North of PAIS 0
Padre Island National Seashore (PAIS) 0
South Padre Island 0
Total* 0
* Data presented here are preliminary. Do not cite or quote without permission. Contact Dr. Donna Shaver for further information.

Last updated: May 16, 2019

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Mailing Address:

P.O. Box 181300
Corpus Christi, TX 78480

Phone:

(361) 949-8068
This is the primary phone number for the Malaquite Visitor Center at Padre Island National Seashore.

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