A WOODBRIDGE citizen science event at Coal Dam Park generated dozens of turtle sightings and gave families the opportunity to witness rare basking behaviours and learn more about conservation.

Citizen scientist Ian Barlow cohosted the Turtles in Celebration, Turtles in Love walk at the wetland on Sunday with Walliabup Wildlife Warriors, giving visitors the chance to witness the breeding behaviours of oblong turtles in one of the region’s most unique urban habitats.

Mr Barlow said the event achieved exactly what it set out to do.

“We accomplished the goal of the event, which was to showcase a breeding congregation,” he said.

While the breeding activity was not in full swing, visitors still observed six turtles engaging in mating rituals, including males pursuing females, gentle nose-touching and attempts to clasp onto the females’ shells.

The day also featured an unusually high amount of basking behaviour, with eight turtles spotted out of the water.

“To see one turtle basking is incredibly rare,” Mr Barlow said.

“They won’t leave the water unless they feel 100 per cent safe.”

Mr Barlow described Coal Dam Park as “turtle heaven”, saying the enclosed lake, steep banks and abandoned railway infrastructure created ideal basking conditions protected from predators.

The first group through the walk reportedly saw between 19 and 21 turtles within 50 minutes, with turtles appearing almost immediately after the tour began.

“By the time they hit the first viewing platform, they were already at eight turtles,” he said.

Mr Barlow said Coal Dam Park’s location near bushland and the former Helena River corridor also provided important nesting habitat, though many questions remained unanswered about predation and turtle survival rates.

“We just don’t have enough data,” he said.

“If there are fatalities or predation, we can’t physically see it, so we can’t record it.”

Despite the gaps in knowledge, Mr Barlow said signs of younger turtles reaching maturity suggested the population was reproducing successfully.

Beyond showcasing turtles, the event also aimed to inspire public interest in citizen science and conservation.

Mr Barlow said focussing on one species at a time made environmental care feel less overwhelming for the public.

“A lot of the time, people think it’s a big commitment where you need to heal the waters and all the trees but when you start small, it can still go on to have a big impact,” he said.

“If you look after the turtles, the turtles look after the water and the land and the trees.

“They help clean the waterways and contribute to the ecosystem to keep trees healthy too.”

The event also drew laughs from families, with children repeatedly asking parents whether the turtles were “cuddling”.

“That’s always the best question,” Mr Barlow said.

“Some parents answer it then and there and others whisk their children aside somewhere a bit more private to explain to them how it all works.”

Mr Barlow said events like this also provided families a lasting memory and showed citizen science did not have a prohibitive barrier for entry.

“Citizen science could be as easy as logging a sighting on TurtleSAT,” he said.

“It’s not very different from taking a picture and, say, putting it up on social media.

“Often times, you need to think of a caption for that as well, and TurtleSAT is the same, and you’re contributing to the science needed to keep these wonderful turtles safe and healthy.”

The event was supported by Emerald Acres Wildlife Rehabilitation, Walliabup Wildlife Warriors and Wildlife Allies Australia, with organisers encouraging more people to log turtle sightings through the TurtleSAT citizen science platform.