Sporadic nesting events of loggerhead sea turtles Caretta caretta along the Greek coasts of the Ionian Sea

Sporadic nesting events (i.e., any evidence of nesting or attempted nesting) of loggerhead sea turtles Caretta caretta , outside of the systematically monitored nesting areas, were recorded over 40 years (1985–2024) in the Ionian Sea, Greece. Most nesting events were reported by the public. Accumulated records show a wide distribution of nesting events along the coasts, without a considerable north–south gradient—contrasting with a similar study in the Aegean Sea, where nesting was rather uncommon in northern latitudes. This discrepancy is attributed to the different temperature regimes between the two marine areas. Beaches with frequently reported nesting events should be surveyed systematically to assess their nesting magnitude. The consequences of a possible northward expansion of loggerhead nesting in the Ionian are discussed.