Horseshoe Crab Spawning Survey and Training Set

2026 Annual Slaughter Beach Horseshoe Crab Spawning Survey
Volunteer Training Session
Saturday, April 11, 2026 – 1:00 to 2:00 p.m.
Marvel Drive – Slaughter Beach
Since 1990, surveys have been conducted of horseshoe crabs spawning in Delaware Bay. Despite the horseshoe crab’s importance to the ecology of the Delaware Bay, little is known about its population status. Spawning surveys give scientists an index of the population to assist them in the management of the species. Now, every spring on several peak spawning days, volunteers donate their time to count crabs on key beaches in Delaware and in New Jersey.

The Delaware Nature Society at Abbott’s Mill Nature Center, Milford, will once again be coordinating the annual Slaughter Beach horseshoe crab spawning survey. You must attend one training session to participate in the survey.

Abbott’s Mill Nature Center staff will give training on Slaughter Beach, at Marvel Drive, beginning 1 p.m. April 11, for those who are interested in assisting with the count this year. Volunteers will learn how to conduct the survey, how to properly record data, and how to distinguish between male and female horseshoe crabs and be able to sign up for dates and times. Participants who are interested in other beaches are more than welcome to attend our training and will be referred to the appropriate beach leader for further information. An adult must accompany volunteers under age 18.
 

If you have taken the training previously you do not have to take it again.

For more information or to register for the training, please contact:

Elliott Workman at Elliott@delnature.org Cell (302) 593-3565
or Mike Rivera at Mike.Rivera@delnature.org Cell (302) 222-0903
 

Horseshoe Crab Spawning Survey Dates and High Tide Times
Slaughter Beach 2026

Wednesday, April 29, 8:41 pm            Friday, May 29, 8:50 pm
Friday, May 1, 9:53 pm                        Sunday May 31,10:05 pm
Sunday May 3,11:04pm                      Tuesday, June 2,11:23 pm
Thursday, May 14,7:51 pm                  Saturday, June 13, 8:20 pm
Saturday, May 16,9:32 pm                  Monday June 15, 10:10 pm
Monday May 18,11:16 pm                   Wednesday, June 17, 11:58 pm

Please note that volunteers should arrive approximately 20 minutes prior to the high tide so they can do the preliminaries necessary for the survey and walk to the beach starting point. A minimum of 3 volunteers will be assigned each night.

For more information contact
Elliott Workman at Abbott’s Mill Nature Center Elliott@delnature.org cell (302) 593-3565
or Mike Rivera Mike.Rivera@delnature.org cell (302) 222-0903
Slaughter Beach Lead/Contact Laurie Conner cell (302) 270-2355