Horseshoe Crabs Saving Lives
An article about the Horseshoe Crab’s blood being used to test medicine for impurities from CNN.
Hurricane Preparedness
With Hurricanes in the news in the Pacific, here is a good article from the Cape Gazette about hurricane preparedness, from an insurance specialist. Also, under the Emergency Preparedness tab are links to Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Delaware Emergency Management Agency (DEMA) for additional information.
Bill Signed into Law Prevents Flood Insurance Rate Hikes
President Obama signed a bill into law which now prevents Flood Insurance rate hikes. Here is a link to an article about it.
July 4th 2015 Regatta Update
So, the Scheduling and Venue Committees have finalized the locale and schedule and a preview of the racing schedule follows, but remember, all times are approximate and subject to change. The line up looks like this:
July 4th is a Saturday
Location is at Delaware Avenue, North
High tide at 11:30 AM
Boogie board race at about 11:00 AM
Kayak race at about 11:30 AM
Pie eating contest at about 12:00, Noon
Monohull race at about 12:30 PM
Catamaran race at about 1:30 PM
More information on t-shirts and other promotional items to follow.
Food and Beverage Committee is still working on the menu. Seems there is a bit of discourse here. One member is looking to take the menu gluten free, another vegan, another paleo and all want primarily local, green and kale based. Not sure how this will play out, so stay tuned
BTW, when did they start naming snowstorms? And why did they not name one Frosty?
Harry Ward
Commode Ore
Slaughter Beach Sail Club
A few highlights of the 1st ever, hurricane delayed July 4th SBSC Regatta. Held on July 5th, and the 6th annual SBSC Regatta
The results:
Boogie Board Race
Eli Cramer held up well with a first ever cross traffic, uphill both ways Boogie Board race – congratulations to this Maryland resident, who brought the trophy back to the Ward household
Kayak Race
We held another first with an adult and child Kayak race. It was hotly contested and after we got through the delays caused by low tide at the North end, was the fastest adult race yet. Ann Wearmouth poured it on on the back leg to pull into the lead for the adult race. She really poured it on at the end, edging out the Gingrich team. Jackson and teammate recovered from his last year’s unfortunate incident and showed extremely well.
The child race was an unfortunate late start, but felt like it all worked out well. A contingent rolled in with their own special fleet at the last minute to attempt to confuse all the regular participants and showed us all how well they could move those special racing Kayaks. The writer was not able to get the name of the young lady that won the race – so please, anyone who knows, just shoot an email and we will get it in the next update (please let Harry Ward at 09sbsc@gmail.com know).
Pie Eating Contest
Wow – what a blast! Looks like hometown, newly elected (at the time of this writing) Glenn Stieffenhoffer can show all the kids how to get through a pie in record time – with nothing spilled, either. Definite, classic technique.
Monohull Race
Man-o-man, what a slapdown our own Nick and Frankie Carter put on the rest of the field. After a slow start at the gate, they just beat uphill at a speed that put the front runners to shame. Andreas, Chip and Gail, Dave, and Harry and Jon stayed with him for awhile, but by the first buoy, we all knew we needed a shark attack to slow down the Carter team. Congratulations to a very well run race at all the buoys by Nick and Frankie.
Catamaran Race
Was not held due to lack of upright boats.
Thank you’s to all who assisted to make this a great event – up and down the beach.
Harry Ward
Commode Oar
SBSC
443 Bay Ave
Shorebirds Starting to Return
(Photo by Chris Bennett)
As Spring finally arrives and the water begins to warm, the sounds of Slaughter Beach will be filled with calling shorebirds as they arrive from southern wintering grounds on their journey to the Arctic. Beginning in late March, flocks of Dunlin will appear on the flats at low tide, growing in number as they fatten up. You may also be lucky enough to find some American Avocets out there, too. Joined with them in the Harbor, folks can also find American Oystercatchers and Black-bellied Plovers foraging along the sandy edges and the rocks. In April, other species begin to arrive, like our summer resident Willets that nest in the salt marshes surrounding the town. Look for these loud birds with striking black and white wing markings as they fly in circles calling for their mates or warding off intruders. In late April, Ruddy Turnstones start to funnel in, followed in May by Short-billed Dowitchers, Least and Semipalmated Sandpipers, and, of course, the amazing Red Knot. Many of these species spend a few short days consuming as many Horseshoe Crab eggs as possible to gain enough weight to finish their trip to the northern breeding grounds. For the best shorebird viewing, time your trip to coincide with high tides around the new and full moons in late April and May. Birds are also present at low tide, but can be distant and more difficult to see. Shorebirds can be found at any of the public beach access areas, especially around high tides. At other times, visit the DuPont Nature Center, where you can scan the Harbor for a variety of species. Whether you are a beginner or novice bird watcher or a seasoned and experienced birder, Spring shorebird migration at Slaughter Beach is a spectacle not to be missed!
Here is a great YouTube video on how to identify shorebirds: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hSO9WWX7Svg
You can also visit the Delaware Shorebird Project’s shorebird identification training modules at http://www.dnrec.delaware.gov/fw/Shorebirds/Pages/TrainingMod.aspx.
S.B. a Research and Educational Beach
In 2013, the Delaware Nature Society – Abbotts Mill – hosted 1,179 kids and others through school and public programs. These will be the next generation of “Stewards of Slaughter Beach”.
The Delaware Shorebird Project is gearing up for the season. Here is the link for additional information about the project.
Interesting video on cannon netting at Slaughter Beach: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HOHqpX6Dnrw
Great new video from the DuPont Nature Center: http://vimeo.com/user15002426/review/91232497/fd6cfa3d9b
S.B. Tourists Returning
In the coming months our “tourists” will be returning to our shores. Diamondback Terrapin hatchlings will be moving from their nesting areas on the beach to the marsh which puts them in harms ways as they cross Bayshore road. Please give them a helping hand on there dangerous journey by returning any you find to the marsh. From May to July, horseshoe crabs will be spawning on our beach during the high tides. Many will get stranded up-side-down. The Just flip ‘em!® program is a simple act of compassion, designed to help these remarkable animal return to the sea. Just gently flip them over by the side of their shell not the tail, and watch as they make their way back into the water. The Shorebirds will also be returning about the same time, to feast on the surplus of horseshoe crab eggs. This is a critical time for them, for many are in route to their arctic breeding grounds. Please be mindful of their presence when walking your dogs and have your dog on a leash.
Coastal Clean Up Volunteers
This years Coastal Clean Up is set for Sat. Sept. 20th from 9 to noon. More information can be found on DNREC’s Coastal Cleanup website. Last year over 100 volunteers, including many local residents, participated in September’s Coastal Clean Up. Close to 400 pounds of trash, debris, and recyclable materials were removed, preventing it from washing back out into the bay. Over the years some of the most unusual items which were found are a bowling ball, bathing suits, gas and charcoal grill, chairs, and a New Jersey Township Police Hat. Remember when enjoying the beach please leave nothing behind but your foot prints.
Coastal Clean Up
Volunteers picking up debris off the beach.
Volunteers picking up debris off the beach.[/caption]
