April 7, 2008
Vol. 38, No. 135

For more information, contact Kimberly Cole at 302-739-3436 or Susan Love at 302-739-9283, Delaware Coastal Programs, or Joanna Wilson, Public Affairs, 302-739-9902.

Training to Be Offered April 16 for Volunteers on 2008 Horseshoe Crab Spawning Survey

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.  

DNERR staff will host a volunteer training session from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 16, at the St. Jones Reserve, 818 Kitts Hummock Road, Dover for those who are interested in assisting with this year’s survey.  

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 surveys conducted at DNERR survey beaches since 2001. New volunteers and past participants are both strongly encouraged to attend. 

Training participants will have first preference for beach and date sign ups 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.

2008 Horseshoe Crab Spawning Survey Dates and High Tide Times

Saturday, May 3, 8:37 p.m.                 

Monday, May 5, 10:16 p.m.                

Wednesday, May 7/8, midnight            

Saturday, May 17, 8:56 p.m.               

Monday, May 19, 10:09 p.m.

Wednesday, May 21, 11:22 p.m.         

Sunday, June 1, 8:11 p.m.

Tuesday, June 3, 10 p.m.

Thursday, June 5, 11:48 p.m.   

Monday, June 16, 9:05 p.m.

Wednesday, June 18, 10:23 p.m.

Friday, June 20, 11:39 p.m.

Please note that the times listed are the high tides for the DNERR coordinated beaches only. On spawning survey nights, the St. Jones Reserve will be open approximately one hour prior to these times for volunteers to sign in, pick up materials and meet their survey team. The total time commitment per night will range from 1.5 to 3 hours, depending on how many horseshoe crabs there are to count. Pre-registration is required to assist. 

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 programs in the country. 

For more information or to register for the training, please contact Delaware Coastal Programs staff members Kimberly Cole at 302-739-3436 or kimberly.cole@state.de.us, or Susan Love at 302-739-9283 or susan.love@state.de.us.  For information on horseshoe crab monitoring, please visit http://www.ocean.udel.edu/mas/bhall/hsccensus. 

The Delaware National Estuarine Research Reserve is a partnership between the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. DNERR is administered through the Delaware Coastal Programs Section of DNREC’s Division of Soil and Water Conservation.