Survey on the population of Caretta caretta nesting at Demre (Kale) Beach

In this study, the population of Caretta caretta nesting at Demre (Kale) beach in Antalya, was investigated by dividing the area into 5 sections (Cayagzi beach, Suluklu beach, Tasdibi beach, Beymelek-Sifat beach and Beymelek-Dalyan beach) in 2006 nesting season. There were 183 emergences and 52 of them (28.42%) resulted in nests. The nesting density was determined as 6.12 nest/km. The area which had the highest nesting capacity was Beymelek - Dalyan beach where there were 16 nests (30.77%). Beymelek - Sifat beach had 15 nests (28.85%), Cayagzi beach had 13 nests (25%), Suluklu had 5 nests (9.61%) and Tasdibi had 3 nests (5.77 %). Among 131 emergences resulted in no nests (trace), 64 (48.86%) were at Beymelek- Dalyan beach, 40 (30.53%) were at Beymelek -Sifat beach, 11 (8.40%) were at Suluklu beach, 9 (6.87%) were at Tasdibi beach, and 7 (5.34) were at Cayagzi beach. The average number of eggs was 83.25 (Min. 46 - Max. 147- Std. Dev. 25.96).