The first sea turtle nest discovery of the breeding season has led to a rescue mission and kicked off a campaign to protect an endangered species.

The nest, found recently on the New South Wales north coast, was too close to the water’s edge and the eggs needed to be moved to save them from being inundated by waves and the tides.

Loggerhead turtles are endangered, with very few nesting females in NSW, making every egg precious. Green turtles are listed as a vulnerable species.

TurtleWatch NSW’s Merryn Dunleavy said every nest reported would be safeguarded “and the commitment and care from our coastal communities will be essential in ensuring these nests can survive”.

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“We are asking beachgoers to become citizen scientists and monitor local beaches along the NSW coastline, from the Tweed to Batemans Bay, looking for nesting sea turtles,” she said.

“Walk your local beach early in the morning along the high tide line – as sea turtles generally nest during the night from dusk until dawn – looking for turtle tracks in the sand.”

After the first nest was spotted by a member of the public, trained and licensed TurtleWatch staff carefully placed the eggs into one of the cooler-box incubators used during last season’s incubation success.

There were successful hatchings from a record 18 sea turtle nests last season.

Earlier in 2025, ex-tropical cyclone Alfred reshaped large stretches of the northern NSW coastline, causing many beaches to lose gently rising sandy shores.

Some dunes were cut back several metres, reducing suitable nesting habitat by creating steep drop-offs that nesting females cannot climb.

Because of the turtle team’s vigilance in February, National Parks and Wildlife Service and TurtleWatch staff rescued more than 1,000 eggs from nine nests ahead of the cyclone.

After hatching they were released at their original nest sites, with 1,020 hatchlings swimming free.

Prompt reporting of turtle tracks, low-lying nests and community awareness are key to protecting eggs and giving them the best chance to successfully hatch.

Tracks are usually 80 to 100cm wide and can sometimes be mistaken for tyre tracks.

TurtleWatch needs volunteers to assist with the nesting season, which runs from November to March along the NSW coastline.