First turtle breeding tracks identified at Magnetic Island’s Nelly Bay

The first turtle tracks have been identified on an iconic Magnetic Island beach signifying the start of the breeding season.

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THE first turtle tracks have been identified on Magnetic Island signifying the start of the 2020 breeding season.

Magnetic Island Turtle Network co-ordinator Paul Groves recently spotted the tracks leading up the beach on Nelly Bay.

Turtle breeding season starts in November and lasts until January, with hatching from January until April.

The most common turtle to breed on Magnetic Island is the Flatback sea turtle.

Last year the Magnetic Island Turtle Network counted 10 nests on the island’s beaches.

Mr Groves said many eggs did not hatch from the 2019 breeding season due to a hot summer.

“I have been monitoring nests for over 10 years and it was the first time I have seen such devastation for turtle nesting,” he said.

“Of those 10 nests on Nelly Bay last year, most of them died from the hot weather; they cooked in the nest and a lot of the shady vegetation died because there was no water.”

The first turtle tracks for the 2020 turtle breeding season have been identified at Nelly Bay on Magnetic Island. Picture: Paul Groves.

Mr Groves is urging anyone walking on Magnetic Island beaches to keep a lookout for turtle tracks and report them on the Marine Park Authority’s Eye on the Reef phone app.

Once a nest is identified, Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service will erect a net around the area and a sign showing the expected hatch week.

Originally published as First turtle breeding tracks identified at Magnetic Island’s Nelly Bay