BRADENTON, Fla. (AP) -- Some Tampa Bay-area beaches are seeing a spike in sea turtle nests this season.
The Bradenton Herald reports that Manatee County is home to 116 new sea turtle nests.
Officials from Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch say it's an unprecedented amount. Usually by now in the season, there are about 50 nests.
Last summer, there were a total of 145 nests. Nesting is expected to continue through at least mid-July.
There are several species of turtles nesting on Manatee beaches. Among them is the loggerhead turtle, which is currently listed as an endangered species. Other native species include both green and Kemp's Ridley sea turtles.