Exciting Update! See The State Port Pilot’s report on Mama Caswell.
It’s official! Our 2025 Sea Turtle DNA Results are in, and we officially have a sea turtle mama who has been EXCLUSIVELY visiting Caswell Beach every three years since 2010! It’s commom for sea turtle nesting cycles to be every 3 years so the mamas can replenish in between. But there’s even more we have learned from this DNA!
This sea turtle mama, who we now affectionately call “Mama Caswell” and has returned solely to Caswell Beach for her nesting, has consistently laid FIVE nests each year she has visited, with one year having a possible SIXTH nest! Even more stunning, last year she laid TWO NESTS IN THE SAME LOCATION! You may recall we had a sea turtle mama crawl through another nest, laying just inches from the previous eggs. Lo and behold, it’s the same mama!
This is a great example of a concept called sea turtle NEST FIDELITY, which we have learned more about in recent years thanks to the DNA project. Many sea turtles exhibit fidelity in their nesting practices, commonly returning to their favorite beaches. Loggerheads are proving to be much more likely to lay close to previous nests than other species. In the case of Mama Caswell, we have an extreme on the mark example, which is very exciting.
We were able to capture several night sight photos (no flash) of Mama Caswell in action last year:
We are looking forward to the 2026 Sea Turtle Season. Come and visit with us at the beach!
YOU CAN HELP! If you see a sea turtle mama coming onto the beach and and attempting to nest, please call our hotline immediately (910-368-6323) to notify us. During sea turtle season, we monitor 24/7. Please educate your family, friends, neighbors and especially – your renters. ALWAYS feel free to reach out to us if there is a concern, or you have questions. (All contact info is at the top of the page.)
PLEASE PRINT AND SHARE our Sea Turtle Info Sheet below. If you own a rental or are a renter, please post this for visitors to see. Greater education and understanding will lead to more happy and healthy sea turtles gracing our beaches. Every little bit helps!
CWB Sea Turtle Info SheetDownload
**This conservation work for protected sea turtles on Caswell Beach is authorized by the NC Wildlife Resources Commission (ES Permit 26ST03).
Please consider donating to our efforts as we build up our necessary resources for the season.
You can donate at Caswell Beach Turtle Watch Donations.