Beach erosion tough on turtle nesting

JUNO BEACH, Fl.a. - As people begin to brace for hurricane season, local biologists are keeping their eyes on the 'little guys'.

Strong winds have caused heavy erosion along local beaches, leaving many sea turtle nests unprotected and vulnerable. Now workers are assessing the damage.

"I picked it up and said I found a ball and then she picked it up and dropped it because she knew it was a turtle egg," said Ashleigh Jackson.

Ashleigh made an unexpected discovery during a trip to Juno Beach. She found a sea turtle egg nestled in an eroded cliff of sand. It's a finding that local biologists call 'common' this time of year.

"I didn't know what it was. I thought it was a ball because it looks like one and I accidentally picked it up," she said.

High surf and strong winds over the past few days have caused erosion along local beaches, during the peak of turtle nesting season.

"What that is doing is creating a cliff, now the nests that are close to the water are washing out and becoming exposed," said Biologist Kelly Smith, Loggerhead MarineLife Center.

Volunteers at Loggerhead MarineLife Center are documenting nests found on Juno Beach. They're also caring for hatchlings they find along the way.

"We're out here everyday.We're checking everything," said Kelly.

Staff at the center are reminding visitors that moving turtle eggs or nests is against the law, no matter how well -meaning a person may be. They say the best way to help, is to call the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.