Beaufort County, September 10, 2025
News Summary
The loggerhead turtle nesting season in Beaufort County has concluded with mixed results. While Pritchards Island reported an increase in nests and hatchlings, other beaches like Hunting Island saw significant declines. With a total of 619 nests counted, volunteers and local organizations continue to play crucial roles in protecting these endangered sea turtles amid environmental challenges.
Beaufort County Reports Loggerhead Turtle Nesting Season Results
The loggerhead turtle nesting season in Beaufort County has concluded, revealing a mixed bag of results across various beaches. Amber Kuehn, director of the Sea Turtle Patrol on Hilton Head Island, confirmed that no more large female turtles are expected to emerge for nesting this season.
A total of 619 nests were counted across eight beaches in Beaufort County, demonstrating a slight decline from last year’s tally of 636 nests. Notably, Pritchards Island emerged as a standout performer, reporting 61 nests in 2025, a commendable increase from the 47 nests counted in the previous year.
Pritchards Island also saw a significant boost in hatchling success, with a total of 4,888 hatchlings recorded this year, nearly double the 2,600 hatchlings observed in 2024. The 2024 season faced challenges due to damage from Tropical Storm Debby, which inhibited the development of numerous nests.
In contrast to Pritchards Island’s promising outcomes, other beaches experienced declines. Hunting Island, for instance, reported only 69 nests this season, marking an 85% drop from the 2024 season and reaching less than 100 nests for the first time since 2018. Overall, the nesting success of sea turtles is subject to variability and cyclical patterns, leading to years of fluctuating productivity.
Genetic testing has revealed a link between a loggerhead turtle nest from May 2025 and a long-term nesting turtle known as Mama Pritchard. This 50-year-old turtle has nested on Pritchards Island every other year since 2002, with a history that includes an injury and rehabilitation at the South Carolina Aquarium in 2008.
This year, the monitoring responsibilities for Pritchards Island shifted back to the University of South Carolina Beaufort, involving dedicated volunteers and students who play a critical role in safeguarding the nests. Kim Ritchie, the director of research for Pritchards Island, oversees the nest relocation efforts due to ongoing erosion concerns affecting nesting habitats.
Hilton Head Island’s nesting count improved to 237 in 2025, up from 204 in 2024 but still falling short of expectations. Factors such as unusually cold ocean temperatures and January snow may have contributed to the inconsistent nesting numbers observed in recent years. Environmental challenges, including erosion, also continue to threaten critical nesting habitats on islands like Pritchards and Hunting Island.
Conclusion
The overall nesting season in Beaufort County highlights both encouraging results from Pritchards Island and challenges affecting other beaches. Continued efforts by local organizations and volunteers remain vital in supporting the loggerhead turtle population amid varying environmental conditions.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the loggerhead turtle nesting season?
The loggerhead turtle nesting season typically occurs in the summer months when female turtles come ashore to lay their eggs on sandy beaches.
How many loggerhead turtle nests were reported in Beaufort County this year?
In 2025, a total of 619 loggerhead turtle nests were counted across eight beaches in Beaufort County.
What factors affected this year’s nesting success?
Environmental conditions such as erosion, cold ocean temperatures, and past storm damage have impacted nesting success.
Why is Pritchards Island significant for loggerhead turtles?
Pritchards Island has shown an increase in nesting success, including a significant number of hatchlings, making it a crucial habitat for loggerhead turtles.
| Beach Name | 2024 Nests | 2025 Nests | Hatchlings Count |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pritchards Island | 47 | 61 | 4,888 |
| Hunting Island | 469 | 69 | N/A |
| Hilton Head | 204 | 237 | N/A |
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
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Additional Resources
- Post and Courier: Sea Turtle Nests Beaufort
- Wikipedia: Sea Turtle
- Explore Beaufort SC: Sea Turtle Nesting Season
- Google Search: Loggerhead Turtles Nesting
- Island Packet: Loggerhead Turtle Nesting News
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Loggerhead Turtle
- CBS 17: NC Coast Sea Turtle Hatchling Season
- Google Scholar: Loggerhead Turtle Nests
- Port City Daily: Cold Stunned Sea Turtles
- Google News: Sea Turtle Nesting Season
Author: STAFF HERE BEAUFORT
The HERE Beaufort Staff Writers are a collaborative team of journalists, editors, and local contributors passionate about delivering accurate, timely information to the Beaufort community. As part of the HEREcity.com Network, which powers over 100 U.S. city sites including HEREcolumbia.com, our staff draws on collective experience in South Carolina journalism to cover everything from business sales and real estate developments to dining deals and community initiatives. Our Expertise and Background: Local Roots in Beaufort : Our team includes lifelong Beaufort residents and SC natives with deep knowledge of the area’s history, economy, and culture. We’ve covered key events like the recent sale of the historic Crofts Block Building, Beaufort’s equestrian heritage, and growth in local tech and education sectors (e.g., BeaufortTechnical College programs). Collective Experience: With over 50 combined years in journalism, our staff has backgrounds in print, digital media, and community reporting. We prioritize fact-based stories, drawing from sources like the Beaufort Chamber of Commerce, city government records, and on-the-ground interviews. Commitment to Quality: Every article is a group effort, involving research, editing, and verification to ensure reliability. We adhere to journalistic standards, citing credible sources and updating content as new details emerge.
