Sea Turtle Nests Update on Nokomis Beach/Casey Key
#42 - July 21, 2025 - Mote SEA Opens Soon - Venice Theatre Summer Season Begins
2025 Sea Turtle Season Off To A Busy Start
Edited with data and information posted by Mote Marine Laboratory
Mote Marine Laboratory’s Sea Turtle Conservation and Research Program (STCRP) documented the first local turtle activity of the 2025 season on Saturday, April 26. They reported three loggerhead (Caretta caretta) sea turtle nests — one each on Longboat Key, Siesta Key, and Casey Key. Loggerhead (Caretta caretta) sea turtles and Green (Chelonia mydas) turtles are the two most common species that lay their eggs on Casey Key. As of June 14th, Mote reported a total of 650 Loggerhead nests and 25 Green Turtle nests on Casey Key. In recent years, Sarasota County has also occasionally hosted nests from Kemp’s ridley sea turtles and Leatherback turtles.
From April 15 through October 31, the Sea Turtle Patrol conducts daily surveys of 35 miles of nesting beaches, from Longboat Key to Venice. Each morning, they scan the sand for signs of nesting activity and document each nest with care and precision.
Throughout the nesting season, STCRP staff and volunteers will collect detailed data on nesting activity to track long-term trends and assess critical aspects of sea turtle ecology. These include phenological shifts (changes in the timing of nesting), nest density, hatching and emergence success, nest site selection, and the influence of environmental conditions. As in past years, each nest is marked with yellow stakes and flagging tape to prevent disturbances while data collection continues. In 2024, Mote documented nearly 4,400 nests from Longboat Key to Venice.
To follow along throughout the season, you can view weekly sea turtle nesting updates at www.mote.org/nesting.
That Was The Week That Was
Time flies and you may have missed some of these local events last week.
Thursday, July 17th: The Osprey-Nokomis Chamber of Commerce held its annual Member Appreciation Day at Pop’s Sunset Grill this past Thursday evening. What a hoot! Membership has grown substantially over the past year, requiring a larger space for a larger attendance. More than 100 people attneded this annual event.
Friday, July 18th: We attended the Dress Rehearsal for this award-winnng musical on Wednesday and quickly realized this show was going to be another hit for the Venice Theatre. Opening Night of the The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, on Friday, July 18th at the Pinkerton Theatre, was a soldout blast!
Get your tickets for one of the performances between now and its closing date of August 3rd. Venice Theatre, 140 Tampa Avenue W., Venice, FL. Tickets: VeniceTheatre.org.
Sunday, July 20th: Church services were held at the Chapel on the Beach, located on the north shore end of Siesta Key at Patriots Pier (Sunset Point). The weather was again gorgeous! Services are offered every Sunday at 8:30 am. Free parking at Siesta Key Chapel, 4615 Gleason Avenue, Siesta Key. Free shuttle to the beach.
In Other Water-Related News
The Intergenerational Fountain we call the Kids Fountain, located in Centennial Park in downtown Venice, re-opened this past week after several weeks of repairs to the popular family attraction. A cool place to be on a hot day!
Mote Marine Laboratory’s City Island Aquarium in Sarasota closed on July 6th. The new 110,000-square-foot Mote SEA (Science Education Aquarium), located near Nathan Benderson Park in Sarasota, is expected to open this Fall. Stay tuned for grand opening news.
This Week in Nokomis
Wednesday, July 23rd: Nokomis Drum Circle. On Nokomis Beach, 207 Casey Key Road, Nokomis. From 2 hours before and thru sunset. Drumming, singing, dancing. Family friendly. Everyone is welcome. Free admission. Free parking.
Saturday, July 26th: Nokomis Drum Circle. On Nokomis Beach, 207 Casey Key Road, Nokomis. From 2 hours before and thru sunset. Drumming, singing, dancing. Family friendly. Everyone is welcome. Free admission. Free parking.
Nokomis Fishing Update: Week of July 21st
July in Southwest Florida continues to be a good month for catching Sheepshead, Mangrove Snapper, Tarpon, Pompano, Flounder, Spanish Mackerel, and Cobia. Morning and evenings are best. Good weather ahead.
FOR CURRENT FISHING TRENDS and updates on what’s biting, where the fish are, and what bait and tackle to use to catch the fish you want, check in with our Nokomis experts on all things sportfishing: Capt. Joe Cellamare and his team at: Fish Tales Bait & Tackle, 101 S Tamiami Trail, Nokomis, FL 34275; Phone: (941) 615-7485.
Nokomis Beaches, Parks & Natural Places
Nokomis boasts more than 10 beaches and public parks. All are open to the general public with free admission. Most are open 6am until sunset. Several have a 10pm closing time. For the best experience, please mind the posted hours of operation.
Happening In Nearby Osprey & Venice
July 21, 2025-May, 2027: The City of Venice has launched a digital volunteer registration portal for its Centennial Celebration. The portal will remain open from now through the end of the 18-month celebration in May 2027.
Volunteer opportunities will begin as soon as November 2025. Sign up through the digital portal here: https://forms.office.com/r/GSYc5X8Jci
July 21-August 31: Patti Smith: “A Book of Days.” Patti Smith, a poet and musician, is the artist-in-residence at Selby Gardens Historic Spanish Point in Osprey (401 N. Tamiami Trail). This is an outdoor exhibit featuring large prints from Smith’s bestselling book, “A Book of Days.” Admission: $20. Opens at 10am daily.
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday: July 21-July 23: Venice Museum - Financing a City: The History of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers (Through July 30, 2025). We’re Staying the Night: The Historic Hotels of Venice (Through January 21, 2026). 351 Nassau St. S, Venice, FL. Museum is open Monday-Wednesday, 10am-4pm. Free admission.
Friday, July 25th: Venice Main Street’s Friday Night Concerts. At the Gazebo in Centennial Park. Featuring Tomardo. 7-9 pm. Free admission. BYO Beach Chair.
Saturday: July 26th: Historic Venice Train Depot Tours. 10am-4pm. 351 Nassau St S, Venice, FL 34285. Free admission.
Saturday, July 26th: Saturday Morning Bike Ride!, hosted by Bicycles International. 7:00 am. Meet at Bicycles International, 1752 S. Tamiami Trail (In the Big Lots plaza - Rt 41), Venice. This is a road ride with a brisk pace—bring your road bike and get ready to roll! Bonus: Stick around post-ride for free coffee at the shop!
July 26th: Venice Farmer’s Market. Look for this weekly market in its new location in the Venice City Hall parking lot and the northbound lane of Avenue des Parques. Market hours: Saturday: 8am - 1pm.
Saturday, August 10th: Sand Bag Filling. Yes, it’s that time of year again as we get ready for the summer rains and the start of hurricane season. This is the last of the three times Sarasota County is offering residents free sandbags (10 bags per person) and access to shovels and giant piles of sand. South County Fleet, 4571 State Road 776, Englewood Road, Venice, FL. 9am - 5pm. Great exercise!
Future Event: Mark Your Calendar Now!
November 29, 2025: The 2025 Holiday Parade (# 49) is Saturday, Nov. 29, 2025, beginning at 6:30 p.m. and kicking off the City's Centennial Celebration. Holiday Parade Theme - All Aboard the Centennial!
Nokomis Information Links
Live Webcam at Pop’s Sunset Grille: www.popssunsetgrill.com/popscam
Nokomis Beach Current Conditions via Mote: https://www.visitbeaches.org/beach/5/report/54675
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© 2025 Kenneth Proudfoot