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
Thousands of Horseshoe Crabs spawning on the beach
1000's of Ruddy Turnstones along with numerous other shorebirds feasting on Horseshoe Crab eggs
Thousands of Atlantic Horseshoe Crabs along Pickering Beach shore
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.
Thousands of Atlantic Horseshoe crabs spawning on the narrow beach in Port Mahon
評論
新增評論