Ever heard of a Sand Owl?

I asked my grandson, Miles (age 20 months) what he thought lived in this hole on the beach and he informed me that it was an “owl”. He is quite a nature boy and he does know about owls, but this surprised me. Have you ever heard of a sand owl? I believe, in fact, that this hole was made by a nesting turtle.

It is the beginning of sea turtle nesting season on the Space Coast in Florida. There are four kinds of sea turtles that make the annual pilgrimage to nest here: Loggerhead, Leatherback, Green and occasionally Kemps Ridley turtles. The last three are considered endangered. The Loggerhead is now considered threatened in Florida. Hatchlings emerge from their nests and head for the ocean, which causes the little tracks you see.