Learn About Horseshoe Crabs and Migrating Birds Through Free DelAware Bay Tours

Join the American Littoral Society and Upstream Alliance on May 11 or May 26 to learn more about the spawning horseshoe crabs and migrating shorebirds of the Delaware Bay. Take part either through self-guided tours or via a free guided tours on the Delaware side of the bay.

The events, which will run from 3-10 p.m. on the dates above, are scheduled during peak time for horseshoe crab spawning and shorebird migration along the Delaware Bay.

From late April until early June, horseshoe crabs emerge by the thousands from the depths to lay eggs on the Delaware Bay's sandy beaches. At the same time, shorebirds flock to those beaches - many coming from a continent away - to gobble up the eggs.  

The Delaware Bay is the epicenter of this confluence for the east coast. The meeting of these swarming crabs and famished birds is a fascinating and timeless ritual that pre-dates human habitation.

Both tours are covid-safe. There is no cost for attendance. You can participate in two ways:

• Self-guided tour: On your own, complete a self-guided tour at one or more of the beaches (some suggested sites below) and participate in a survey of horseshoe crabs and shorebirds (survey provided below). We recommend that you do not hike on the beach during the daytime, so migratory birds are not disturbed. Pick a viewing location and stay put or visit multiple sites by car (to learn why, read Tucker’s blog). Shorebird and horseshoe crab survey results from all participants will be compiled and disseminated on the Upstream Alliance site. 

 

• Guided tour: Led by Upstream Alliance staff, a driving tour will visit 3-4 locations. Meet Upstream Alliance staff at the DuPont Nature Center, 2992 Lighthouse Rd, Milford, DE, at 3 pm to begin the caravan. By sunset, we will find a prominent location and setup for evening horseshoe crab viewing. Bring your own: car, chair, food and drink. RSVP required: [email protected] Limit to the first 18 persons. Dates: Tuesday, May 11 (New Moon) & Wednesday May 26 (Full Moon) from 3pm-10pm (9:50pm is high tide which is optimal horseshoe crab viewing).

These links should help inform your self-guided tour or provide us with useful feedback:

• Zoom call: Educational panel on the Delaware Bay, Wednesday, May 5, 5-6PM
• Educational blog on horseshoe crabs and migrating birds, author: Tucker Birmingham
• Delaware Bay Wildlife Identification Guide
• Delaware Bay Survey (PDF): Horseshoe Crabs & Birds

Suggested locations for self guided surveys (attached map with links):

• Pickering Beach (park off road near beach access, no official parking)
• Bowers Beach (large paved parking lot at boat ramp)
• Big Stone Beach (park at end of road on shoulder, no official parking)  
• DuPont Nature Center (large paved parking at Nature Center, wheelchair accessible, large deck to view from)
• Slaughter Beach North (gravel parking area for beach access)  
• Slaughter Beach South (gravel parking area for beach access)
• Beach Plum Island State Park  (small sand parking lot)
• Cape Henlopen State Park (lots of access points, lots of paved parking, fee to enter park)