Sea Turtles Surprise us: if you see tracks on the beach, help ARCHELON's research!
Every summer, we cover almost 100 km of beach with our organized action, recording and protecting Loggerhead nests. But we cannot be everywhere! See the activity areas and if you see turtle tracks on any other beach, please report it.
What is sporadic nesting?
Most sea turtles return to lay their eggs on the beaches where they were born. However, there are some females that, during their travels, make nests on shores that are unknown to us. These "sporadic nests" can appear anywhere in Greece, and we need your help to record them! "These nests are found on beaches where significant nesting is not observed every year," says Panagiota Theodorou, ARCHELON's Legal and Statutory Issues Coordinator, who coordinates the recording with Aliki Panagopoulou, Research Coordinator.
Why is sporadic nesting important?
Each nest represents an opportunity for the long-term conservation of sea turtles and the good health of the marine ecosystem. Reporting and recording sporadic nests collects valuable data for studying and understanding this phenomenon.
- Studying the occurrence of sporadic nesting sheds light on the movement patterns of sea turtles. This data is used for the study of sea turtle populations.
- Knowing the location of the nests allows to implement nest protection and the improvement of nest management strategies.
- Raising public awareness about sporadic nesting encourages all citizens who care about nature and the environment to be observant and contribute to the protection of wildlife by reporting tracks, hatchlings and potential nests.
How can you help?
- Do not disturb the nest: Leave it exactly as you found it.
- Note the location: Use landmarks or GPS coordinates to locate the nest.
- Report the nest to ARCHELON: Fill out the new online Sporadic Nest Recording Form here. This user-friendly platform allows you to quickly submit information about the nest location, date and any observations you may have.
You can find the Sporadic Nest Recording Form here
Let's all help protect the sea, the beaches and the sea turtles!
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