Horseshoe Crab Spawning Survey and Training Set

Horseshoe Crab Spawning Survey and Training Session has been set.

 Saturday, April 23, 2022

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.

Abbott’s Mill Nature Center staff will give training on Slaughter Beach, at Marvel Drive, beginning 1 p.m. April 23, 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 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, Abbott’s Mill Nature Center at (302) 422-0847. Cell (302) 593 3565 Elliott@delawarenaturesociety.org

or Matt Babbitt, Abbott’s Mill Center at (302) 422-0847. Cell (804) 477 5922

Matt@delawarenaturesociety.org

Horseshoe Crab Spawning Survey Dates and High Tide Times

Slaughter Beach 2022

Saturday, May 14, 8:36 pm Sunday, June 12, 8:09 pm

Monday, May 16, 10:11 pm Tuesday, June 14, 9:55 pm

Wednesday, May 18,11:55 pm Thursday, June 16,11:43 pm

Saturday, May 28,8:49 pm Sunday, June 26, 8:23 pm

Monday, May 30,10:02 pm Tuesday, June 28, 9:41 pm

Wednesday, June 1,11:18 pm Thursday, June 30, 10:58 pm

Please note that volunteers should arrive approximately 1 hour 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 phone 422-0847 cell 302-593-3565 Elliott@delawarenaturesociety.org

or Matt Babbitt 422-0847 cell 804-477-5922 Matt@delawarenaturesociety.org