Horseshoe Crabs and Red Knots - 2018

Set out yesterday to see the onslaught of spawning Horseshoe Crabs and hopefully catch a glimpse of the Red Knots on their journey north. The Red Knots have always been too far to see well enough for capturing photographs, or I am not in the right place at the right time. I visited Slaughter Beach, DuPont Nature Center, Pickering Beach and Port Mahon. Horseshoe Crabs were found in all locations along with Ruddy Turnstone, Dunlin and Semipalmated Sandpipers. Port Mahon additionally had various species of gulls and Cormorants. DuPont Nature Center resulted in Red Knots along with various other shorebirds and the ‘Delaware Shorebird Project’ team was in place and actively counting/assessing shorebirds. Their catch nets sent 1000’s of birds air born – quite a spectacle to see.

For more information on the Delaware Shorebird Project: http://www.dnrec.delaware.gov/fw/Shorebirds/Pages/AboutShorebirds.aspx

Posted on May 28, 2018 02:01 PM by ellendale ellendale

Observations

Photos / Sounds

What

Atlantic Horseshoe Crab (Limulus polyphemus)

Observer

ellendale

Date

May 27, 2018 07:44 AM EDT

Description

Thousands of Horseshoe Crabs spawning on the beach

Photos / Sounds

What

Semipalmated Sandpiper (Calidris pusilla)

Observer

ellendale

Date

May 27, 2018 07:58 AM EDT

Description

100's of Semipalmated Sandpipers enjoying the Horseshoe Crab eggs

Photos / Sounds

What

Double-crested Cormorant (Nannopterum auritum)

Observer

ellendale

Date

May 27, 2018 08:30 AM EDT

Photos / Sounds

What

Ruddy Turnstone (Arenaria interpres)

Observer

ellendale

Date

May 27, 2018 08:33 AM EDT

Description

1000's of Ruddy Turnstones along with numerous other shorebirds feasting on Horseshoe Crab eggs

Photos / Sounds

What

Atlantic Horseshoe Crab (Limulus polyphemus)

Observer

ellendale

Date

May 27, 2018 08:12 AM EDT

Description

Thousands of Atlantic Horseshoe Crabs along Pickering Beach shore

Photos / Sounds

What

Red Knot (Calidris canutus)

Observer

ellendale

Date

May 27, 2018 08:41 AM EDT

Description

1000's of Red Knots gorging on Atlantic Horseshoe Crab eggs. Delaware Shorebird Project team counting/assessing shorebird populations. Pictures likely not clear enough for ID but this was quite a spectacle. Other species of shorebirds as well.

Photos / Sounds

What

Atlantic Horseshoe Crab (Limulus polyphemus)

Observer

ellendale

Date

May 27, 2018 10:09 AM EDT

Description

Thousands of Atlantic Horseshoe crabs spawning on the narrow beach in Port Mahon

Photos / Sounds

What

Laughing Gull (Leucophaeus atricilla)

Observer

ellendale

Date

May 27, 2018 10:10 AM EDT

Description

100+ Laughing Gulls, along with other species taking advantage of spawning Horseshoe Crabs

Photos / Sounds

What

Ruddy Turnstone (Arenaria interpres)

Observer

ellendale

Date

May 27, 2018 10:10 AM EDT

Description

100's of Ruddy Turnstone enjoying Horseshoe Crab eggs

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