Heron Island, a National Marine Park situated in the southern end of the Great Barrier Reef, is a significant nesting location for two threatened sea turtle species, the Green Turtle and the Loggerhead Turtle. Year after year these turtles return on the high tide to nest in the sandy dunes from late October to early March.
Late December marks the beginning of baby Green and Loggerhead Turtle hatching season, a cycle that will continue into May. Undeterred by human presence the hatchlings erupt from their nests between 25 to 50 metres from shore and make their way to the reef, just beyond the water’s edge. During this journey, the hatchlings will be imprinting on the environment, so they know to return to these beaches as mature adults. This crossing from nest to ocean also gives hatchlings the opportunity to warm up their flippers in preparation for their big ocean journey.
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