Cape Hatteras National Seashore (CHNS) biologists found a new latest sea turtle nest near ORV Ramp 49, Frisco, Hatteras Island on 3rd December, 2023.

The latest discovery breaks the late nesting record previously marked at 31st October in the year 2020, and constitutes as the sole newest North Carolina sea turtle nest discovery.

The year 2023 now marks the second highest sea turtle nests reported in Ocracoke, Hatteras, and Bodie Islands. The nests discovered comprised of 324 were Loggerhead sea turtles, 52 Green sea turtles, 3 Kemp’s Ridley sea turtles, and 1 Leatherback sea turtle. This year also marked the discovery of a Leatherback sea turtle nest Ocracoke Island for the first time since 11 years; the nest was identified in June, successfully hatched in late August with 19 baby sea turtles.

The top three years for sea turtle nesting activity within CHNS have all occurred within the past five years;

• 2019 – 473 nests
• 2022 – 379 nests
• 2023 – 380 nests

CHNS has been recording these findings since the 1970s. The Outer Banks serve as seasonal breeding grounds for endangered sea turtles, with the nesting season beginning in mid-to-late May.