Outdoor News Daily

The Delaware National Estuarine Research Reserve (DNERR) is seeking volunteers to assist with the annual baywide horseshoe crab spawning survey in May and June on Ted Harvey Wildlife Area, Kitts Hummock and North Bowers beaches.

Since 1990, surveys have been conducted of horseshoe crabs spawning in Delaware Bay. Despite the horseshoe crab’s importance to the ecology of the Bay, little is known about its population status. The data collected by volunteers during these surveys is key for scientists to monitor changes in numbers of spawning crabs in the Bay. Now, every spring on several peak spawning days, volunteers donate their time to count crabs on key beaches in Delaware and in New Jersey. Delaware’s well-trained and enthusiastic volunteers have made this program one of the most successful volunteer-based wildlife surveys in the country.

DNERR staff will host two volunteer training sessions for those who are interested in assisting with this year’s survey at the St. Jones Reserve, 818 Kitts Hummock Road, Dover. New volunteers and past participants are both strongly encouraged to attend one of the two sessions.

10 a.m. to noon, Saturday, April 10
6 – 7:30 p.m., Wednesday, April 28

Volunteers will learn how to conduct the survey, how to properly record data and how to distinguish between male and female horseshoe crabs. The training will also highlight results of horseshoe crab survey data and how it is being used.

In addition, training participants will have first preference for beach and date signups for the DNERR coordinated beaches. Participants who are interested in other Delaware Bay beaches not coordinated by DNERR are welcome to attend the training and will be referred to the appropriate beach leader for further information. Volunteers under age 18 must be accompanied by an adult.

2010 Horseshoe Crab Spawning Survey Dates and High Tide Times

Survey Date Time of High Water*
Wednesday, May 12 9:17 p.m. (5.7 ft)
Friday, May 14 10:41 p.m. (6.1 ft)
Monday, May 16 (morning of 17th) 12:13 a.m. (6.1 ft)
Tuesday, May 25 8:31 p.m. (6.0 ft)
Thursday, May 27 10:06 p.m. (6.2 ft)
Saturday, May 29 11:33 p.m. (5.9 ft)
Thursday, June 10 8:47 p.m. (5.9 ft)
Saturday, June 12 10:23 p.m. (6.3 ft)
Monday, June 14 (morning of 15th) 12:00 a.m. Midnight (6.3 ft)
Thursday, June 24 9:04 p.m. (5.9 ft)
Saturday, June 26 10:32 p.m. (5.9 ft)
Monday, June 28 11:51 p.m. (5.6 ft)
* Times are for beaches coordinated by the Delaware National Estuarine Research Reserve only.

Please note that the times listed are the high tides for the DNERR coordinated beaches only. The total time commitment per night will range from 2 to 3 hours, depending on how many horseshoe crabs there are to count. Pre-registration is required to assist in the survey.

For more information or to register for the training, please contact Delaware Coastal Programs staff members or Kimberly Cole at 302-739-3436 or kimberly.cole@state.de.us.

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