The first loggerhead sea turtle nest of the year in Georgia has been reported on Atlantic coast.

National Park Service biologist Doug Hoffman said the nest was found this week on Cumberland Island.

Mark Dodd, a biologist with the Department of Natural Resources and the Georgia sea turtle coordinator, said loggerhead nesting in April is rare in Georgia. He said only one previous April nest has been recorded, on Ossabaw Island in 2001.

Loggerhead nests have already been reported this year in Florida as far north as St. Augustine. In Georgia, nesting is typically expected from May through July, with hatching continuing into October.

Last year was record setting for loggerheads with close to 2,000 nests identified on Georgia beaches.

Tags: Department of Natural Resources, National Park Service, sea turtles, Loggerhead Turtles, sea turtle nests