Between long-distance swims, Dellora the green sea turtle nests on SWFL beaches, where researchers have found her 12 times - and counting.

Green turtles (Chelonia mydas) are far less common on area barrier islands that loggerheads (Caretta caretta). Since late April, the nonprofit foundation has found 81 loggerhead nests on the islands.

The green sea turtle was tangled up in “the roots of a dune plant,” said Justin Perrault, director of research at Loggerhead Marinelife Center in Juno Beach.

Green sea turtles had an exceptional nesting season on Florida’s beaches in 2023, with volunteers counting more than 74,300 nests, according to preliminary data. That beats the previous record ...