Spring Birding on Delaware Bay - Horseshoe Crab Spawning Season

The Delaware Bay serves as a crucial stopover for a variety of shorebird species during their migratory journey, particularly in the springtime which coincides with the horseshoe crab spawning season.

This period is marked by the arrival of hundreds of thousands of horseshoe crabs along the bay's beaches, where they lay their eggs in the sand. The abundance of horseshoe crab eggs provides a vital food source for the shorebirds, aiding in their migration.

Among the most notable visitors are the red knots, ruddy turnstones, semipalmated sandpipers, sanderlings, and dunlins. These birds, some traveling from as far as South America, time their arrival to match the peak of the crab spawning season, which typically occurs from late April through June, with the highest activity in May.

The red knot, in particular, is a species of great interest due to its dramatic long-distance migration and reliance on the crab eggs to fuel its journey to the Arctic breeding grounds.

The conservation of both the horseshoe crabs and their spawning grounds is essential for the survival of these migratory shorebirds, as the eggs are packed with protein and fatty acids, crucial for the birds to build up their energy reserves.

Observing these shorebirds can be a remarkable experience, but it is important to do so from a distance to avoid disturbing their feeding and resting.

The Delaware Bay region, with its rich ecological resources, plays a significant role in the life cycle of these migratory marvels, making it a site of both scientific interest and natural wonder.

On the Delaware side of the bay at Mispillion Harbor, the Dupont Nature Center offers an excellent vantage point for observers. The center's observation deck and live cam provide up-close views of horseshoe crabs, shorebirds, and other wildlife.

Other notable viewing spots include Slaughter Beach, Kitts Hummock, and Pickering Beach, where the crabs come ashore to lay their eggs, and shorebirds stop to refuel during their long migrations.

It's important to follow all beach access rules and observe the wildlife from a distance to minimize disturbance.

For those who are less mobile, Port Mahon Road offers an opportunity to view the shorebirds and crabs from a vehicle.

On the New Jersey side of Delaware Bay, Cape May is a prime location for nature enthusiasts to witness the remarkable phenomenon of shorebird migration during the horseshoe crab spawning season.

Along Cape May Point, Higbee Beach Wildlife Management Area, Cape May State Park, and other beach access points provide opportunities to spot shorebirds.

The Wetlands Institute in Stone Harbor offers a special event known as the Shorebird and Horseshoe Crab Celebration Days, which takes place in May.

This event features a variety of programs, including guided shorebird viewing experiences, beginner birding walks, pontoon boat cruises, horseshoe crab survey and rescue walks, educational workshops and presentations, and more.

Another notable event is the Spring Shorebird and Horseshoe Crab Festival hosted by The Wetlands Institute, highlighting the spring shorebird migration and horseshoe crab spawning with guided programs around Seven Mile Island and the Delaware Bayshore.

Bulls Island Recreation Area Trail

Bulls Island Recreation Area
Credit: Erica Vavrence, D&R Canal Commission

New Jersey recently opened a new 1.3 mile trail along the Delaware River at the Bulls Island Recreation Area, according to the NJ Department of Environmental Protection (DEP).

Located along the Delaware River, the trail overlooks one of the most scenic and historic portions of the Delaware and Raritan Canal State Park. 

The Delaware River was once a critical transportation route. Currently, the river provides 100 million gallons of drinking water daily for 1 million residents in Central New Jersey.

More than 400 native trees and shrub species, as well as 250 native wildflowers, have been planted along the trail to help reforest the area with native flora.

The plantings were done with assistance from a variety of partners including the Delaware Township Environmental Commission, Kingwood Township Environmental Commission, Lower Wild and Scenic Delaware River Committee, AmeriCorps New Jersey Watershed Ambassadors Program, Delaware & Raritan Canal Commission, and the New Jersey Forest Service.

From the trail in the northern section of the island, park patrons will be able to see white-capped water as it rushes over the Delaware River wing dam, diverting river water into the nearby feeder canal, and view the original towpath of the 188-year-old canal.

The Delaware and Raritan Canal, listed on the New Jersey and National Registers of Historic Places, is valued for its natural beauty, recreational opportunities and the reliable supply of drinking water it provides to more than 1 million people per day. The canal region also is home to hundreds of species of wildlife, birds and plants.

The canal is the heart of the 7,131-acre Delaware and Raritan Canal State Park, which is widely regarded as the second most popular among the more than 50 parks, forests and recreation areas within the State Park Service.

The 79-acre Bulls Island Recreation Area is approximately three miles north of Stockton, within Delaware Township.

In 2019, the Delaware & Raritan Canal Commission convened a working group of colleagues within the DEP’s Division of State Parks, Forests & Historic Sites to devise a plan that would allow the northern section of the island, previously a campground, to revert to its natural state while also giving visitors access to the canal’s priceless history and enhancing recreational opportunities.

The new trail, shaped like a lollipop, was achieved with minimal tree cutting and encompasses an existing paved road.

To further enhance the new trail, the Delaware & Raritan Canal Commission directed mitigation funds from other state tree-removal projects toward planting new trees including sugar maples, red maples, tulip poplar, white oak, flowering dogwood, Common hackberry and witch hazel.

These new trees help provide a lush understory, supporting wildlife that migrate through or reside in the area.

In March, the DEP in partnership with the Trails Task Force of the New Jersey Geospatial Forum announced the release of a first phase of  a statewide inventory of public trails in New Jersey.

The inventory uses information provided by government agencies and nonprofits to improve, expand and better connect the state’s expansive network of trails, thereby improving trails access for all New Jersey residents.

Additionally, the inventory’s data will help planners and advocates identify areas of focus in the state, prioritizing projects and acquisitions that will link to larger trails and advance goals of the New Jersey Trails Plan.

For more about New Jersey state parks, forests and historic sites, visit www.njparksandforests.org.

source: NJ Department of Environmental Protection

Eco-Tourism in the Mid Atlantic

This article provides insights into eco-tourism opportunities in the Mid Atlantic region.

Wikipedia defines Eco-Tourism as "responsible travel to fragile, pristine, and usually protected areas that strives to be low impact and (often) small scale."

Eco-Tourism is a very popular activity and a great way to spend recreational time while learning about nature.

Eco-tourism providers offer a variety of services which may include boat cruises, nature cruises, scenic cruises, sunset cruises, site-seeing, eco-tourism trips, kayaking adventures, and ocean charters. 

Some eco-tour providers offer several types of trips. Having a choice of eco-tourism packages means there is usually something for everyone.

Eco tours provide encounters with of wildlife and waterfowl including deer, ducks, geese, herons, egrets, plovers and other shorebirds, whales, porpoises, otters, seals and more.

Local guides usually know the best areas for viewing nature. Eco tour guides allow enthusiasts to enjoy experiences that cannot be accomplished otherwise.

In some areas, free or low-cost tours are another option. Eco-tours are often available at national wildlife refuges, state parks, and other public areas.

Although eco-tourism is a popular summer activity, it can be enjoyed year-round. In the Mid Atlantic, many of the most exciting eco-tours occur in the off season.

Related Information

Mid Atlantic Beaches

Things To Do - Mid Atlantic

Delaware River Restoration Fund Grants

The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) recently announced 13 grant awards totaling $2.28 million for water quality restoration and habitat conservation in targeted regions throughout the Delaware River watershed.

Grantee organizations have committed $4.19 million in match, generating a total conservation impact of more than $6.47 million.

The grants were awarded through the Delaware River Restoration Fund, a partnership between NFWF and the William Penn Foundation.

This is the fourth year the fund has administered grant awards; this year, additional support was provided by the U.S. Forest Service.

“The 2017 grants from the Delaware River Restoration Fund represent a continued commitment to restoring water quality and habitats in this iconic watershed,” said Jeff Trandahl, executive director and CEO at NFWF. “The William Penn Foundation’s unparalleled investment in the Delaware River watershed and the important work of these grantees will benefit a range of native species, from eastern brook trout to golden-winged warblers.”

The Delaware River Watershed covers 13,539 square miles of land and water, running from the Catskills in New York through Pennsylvania and New Jersey, ultimately emptying into the Delaware Bay.

Grant projects take place in a variety of landscapes across the watershed and ultimately benefit water quality locally and for those downstream.

From 2013 through 2017, the William Penn Foundation has provided $8 million in grant funding for NFWF to administer competitively through its Delaware River Restoration Fund.

source: National Fish and Wildlife Foundation

Bird Festivals 2017 - Mid Atlantic Region

royal terns

This article includes bird festivals and other birding events that will take place in the Mid Atlantic region during 2017.

Each year, national wildlife refuges host bird festivals throughout the Mid Atlantic region. Most Mid Atlantic national wildlife refuges are located along the Atlantic Flyway, an important migratory bird route. Many festivals coincide with spring or fall migration.

Mid Atlantic bird and birdwatching festivals are also hosted by cities, towns, state parks, and birding organizations.

Winter Wildlife Festival
Virginia Beach VA
​​​​January 20 - 22, 2017
presented by Virginia Beach Parks and Recreation with the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries​

Winter Delmarva Birding Weekend
27-28-29, 2017
The 2nd Annual Winter Delmarva Birding Weekend will be held January 27-28-29, 2017.

Great Dismal Swamp Birding Festival
Great Dismal Swamp National Wildlife Refuge
Chesapeake - Suffok, VA
April 20-22, 2017
The Great Dismal Swamp Birding Festival is held during the height of the spring neotropical songbird migration. The festival is part of International Migratory Bird Day.

Spring Delmarva Birding Weekend
April 27-28-29-30, 2017
The 22nd Annual Spring Delmarva Birding Weekend will be held April 27-28-29-30, 2017.

International Migratory Bird Day
May 2017
International Migratory Bird Day (IMBD) celebrates the migration of nearly 350 species of migratory birds between nesting habitats in North America and non-breeding grounds in Latin America, Mexico, and the Caribbean. This year, many events will take place on May 13.

Spring Shorebird and Horseshoe Crab Festival
The Wetlands Institute
Cape May, New Jersey
May 20-21, 2017
The Wetlands Institute in Cape May will host the 5th Annual Spring Shorebird and Horseshoe Crab Festival, May 20-21, 2017.

Cape May Spring Festival
May 19-21, 2017

Wings over Water Festival
Manteo, NC
October 17-22, 2017
This multi-day festival features field trips to five national wildlife refuges: Pea Island, Alligator River, Mattamuskeet, Pocosin Lakes and Mackay Island.

Eastern Shore Birding and Wildlife Festival
Cape Charles, VA
October 2017
Based in Cape Charles, Virginia, the Eastern Shore Birding and Wildlife Festival coincides with the peak of fall bird migration in a coastal environment.

International Bird Observatory Conference 2017
Cape May, New Jersey
October 26, 2017 to October 30, 2017
www.njaudubon.org

Refuge Waterfowl Week
Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge
Chincoteague Island, VA
November 19-26, 2017
During Refuge Waterfowl Week, the Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge will offer guided walks, tours, and other special events to mark the fall migration of waterfowl to the refuge.

Related Information

Chesapeake Bay Birds

2016 Horseshoe Crab and Shorebird Festival

Horseshoe Crab & Shorebird Festival
May 28, 2016 - 10am - 4pm
Milton Memorial Park
Milton, Delaware
www.HistoricMilton.com

The Horseshoe Crab & Shorebird Festival celebrates horseshoe crabs and migrating shorebirds, long considered by many to be a natural wonder of Delaware Bay.

The annual Horseshoe Crab & Shorebird Festival often draws 1,500-plus visitors who annually enjoy arts and crafts, as well as an art show, boat rides down the Broadkill River, canoe trips on Prime Hook Creek, games, food, music, and more.

This year, the event is sponsored by the Milton Chamber of Commerce and Prime Hook Wildlife Refuge.

A shuttle bus will be available to transport visitors to and from the Refuge. For more information, www.historicmilton.com or call the Milton Chamber of Commerce at 302-684-1101.

Delmarva Birding Weekend 2016

Delmarva Birding Weekend
January 29 - January 31, 2016

Oystercatchers

The annual Delmarva Birding Winter Weekend celebrates songbirds, shorebirds, waterfowl, and raptors that are seen on the Delmarva Peninsula.

Winter Weekend activities include boat and hiking trips with a special emphasis on winter birds.

The Delmarva Peninsula possesses an extensive variety of environments, including barrier islands, tidal wetlands, cypress swamps, upland fields and primeval forests.

Field trips take place in the land and water that feed into the Chesapeake and Delaware Bays, and the Atlantic coastal bays. More than 400 bird species have been recorded in the region.

For more information, visit www.delmarvabirding.com

Christmas Bird Counts

Wildlife refuges throughout the Mid Atlantic take part the annual Christmas bird census, coordinated by the National Audubon Society.

2015 Mid Atlantic Region Christmas bird counts:

Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge (NJ)
December 19, 2015
Spend a day counting birds. Novices welcome. For more information, call 973-425-9510.

Great Dismal Swamp National Wildlife Refuge (VA)
December 16, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Help count birds on the refuge. For more information, call 757-986-3705

source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Arts in the Estuary - Dover Delaware

The Delaware National Estuarine Research Reserve (DNERR) is holding Arts in the Estuary from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 26, 2015 at the St. Jones Reserve, 818 Kitts Hummock Road, Dover and at the John Dickinson Plantation, located next to the Reserve at 340 Kitts Hummock Road.

Arts in the Estuary will feature artists, photographers, jewelers, wood carvers, and exhibitors showcasing their work for sale at the St. Jones Reserve.

Visitors can view painting and carving demonstrations, speak to local artists, paint an estuary landscape, and get tips on how to create their own artwork.

Children of all ages can demonstrate their talents by painting with soils, making fish prints, and doing other children’s activities.

Live musical performances will include Bethany Krumrine at 11 a.m. and by Rick Schuman at 12:30 p.m.

At the John Dickinson Plantation, period artists will demonstrate their heirloom crafts and costumed interpreters will guide visitors through the mansion and demonstrate the colonial art of preserving, smoking and pickling foods.

The event also includes the Delaware Native Plant Society’s Annual Native Plant Sale.

Arts in the Estuary will be held in celebration of National Estuary Day. Admission is free to the event, which will be held rain-or-shine. 

For more information about Arts in the Estuary, visit: http://de.gov/dnerrarts

2013 National Wildlife Refuge Week Events - Mid-Atlantic Region

The Big Sit!
John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge, PA
Sunday, October 13, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The Big Sit! is one of the nation's most popular bird counts. During the annual event, teams count and report bird species seen or heard from a 17-foot-diameter circle.

“Go Wild,”
Rappahannock River Valley National Wildlife Refuge, VA (Hutchinson Tract)
Sunday, October 13, 1 to 5 p.m.

Events include bluebird house building, a guided kayak tour, and more, hosted by Friens of Rappahannock Wildlife Refuge Friends. 

Wildlife Festival
Patuxent Research Refuge, MD
Saturday, October 19, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Enjoy live animals, ,children’s crafts, tram tours, scientific demonstrations and behind-the-scenes research tours of the USGS Patuxent Wildlife Research Center located on the refuge.

source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

2013 National Wildlife Refuge Week Events - Mid-Atlantic Region

The following National Wildlife Refuge Week Events are scheduled in the Mid-Atlantic region:

The Big Sit!
John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge, PA
Sunday, October 13, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The Big Sit! is one of the nation's most popular bird counts. During the annual event, teams count and report bird species seen or heard from a 17-foot-diameter circle.

“Go Wild,”
Rappahannock River Valley National Wildlife Refuge, VA (Hutchinson Tract)
Sunday, October 13, 1 to 5 p.m.

Events include bluebird house building, a guided kayak tour, and more, hosted by Friens of Rappahannock Wildlife Refuge Friends. 

Wildlife Festival
Patuxent Research Refuge, MD
Saturday, October 19, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Enjoy live animals, ,children’s crafts, tram tours, scientific demonstrations and behind-the-scenes research tours of the USGS Patuxent Wildlife Research Center located on the refuge.

source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Maryland Outdoors Days

In 2013, Celebrate Maryland Outdoors Days events will provide families with opportunities to get outside amd enjoy the outdoors.

During the period, Maryland is encouraging organizations to post and promote their nature-inspired events.

The two-week statewide collection of activities kicks off in conjunction with National Get Outdoors Day on June 8 and culminates with the Great American Backyard Campout on June 22.

Visitors can choose from a wide variety of activities which support the Maryland Children’s Outdoor Bill of Rights. These two weeks in June will highlight opportunities for bird-watching, archery, kayaking, fishing, gardening, camping, hiking and more.

The Great American Backyard Campout on June 22 encourages families to experience their natural world through camping.

Maryland State Parks with campgrounds are offering special campfire and s’mores programs. In addition, select parks are offering unique programs including Scales and Tales, guided hikes, campfire cooking, owl prowls and kayaking.

More information on Celebrate Maryland Outdoors Days is available at dnr.maryland.gov/cin/CMO

source: Maryland Department of Natural Resources

Mid Atlantic Wild Mushrooms

Among the more unexpected sights that residents of the Mid Atlantic region began seeing after Hurricane Irene and flooding from Tropical Storm Lee was the growth of wild mushrooms.

In woodlands and forests throughout North Carolina, Virginia, Maryland, Delaware, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and elsewhere an incredible array of fungi sprang up following heavy rainfall and flooding.

With recent weather systems bringing more rainfall, the fall of 2011 should be an exceptional time to see these beautiful mushrooms in Mid Atlantic forests. Many forms of fungi grow rapidly and die after only a few days. 

 

Mid Atlantic Bird Icons

osprey

Birds are commonly recognized as icons of the Mid Atlantic region. Waterfowl, shorebirds, birds of prey and songbirds are all represented in the list of icons for the area.

Along the coast, herons, egrets and other shorebirds have long been recognized as icons. Canada geese, snow geese, brant, and a variety of ducks are also familiar symbols of the Mid Atlantic region's seasonal migrations.

In the Chesapeake Bay and other estuaries, the osprey is a popular icon. These seasonal birds of prey are famous for their ability to catch fish as well as their familiar nests.

Closer to the Atlantic, bald eagles are common and are often seen on regional logos and other artwork. Their white heads, large size, and other attributes attract the attention of artists.

Songbirds are also important in Mid Atlantic culture. Several songbirds are state birds or have cultural significance in other ways. Several songbirds are school mascots or icons of professional sports in the area.

Some of the most famous songbird icons of the Mid Atlantic include the Baltimore oriole, northern cardinal, eastern bluebird, wood thrush, and eastern goldfinch.

Spring Mid Atlantic Wildlife

Snow Geese

In the Mid Atlantic region, the appearance of wildlife is a traditional sign of spring. Birds, mammals, reptiles, amphibians, fish and other creatures all appear in numbers during the spring season.

Birds are often associated with spring throughout the Mid Atlantic. In the final days of winter, snow geese grow restless along the Atlantic Flyway.

As each day grows longer, they become more and more vocal and take to the air relentlessly. Finally, in early spring, flocks of snow geese fill the skies as they move to their seasonal nesting sites.

Another goose, the Canada goose is an icon of spring season in Mid Atlantic states. During early spring, geese separate into pairs and begin nesting. Outdoor enthusiasts often see the gander standing guard near a source of water as the goose is hidden nearby with her clutch of eggs. After the goslings hatch, the family will appear together, feeding and swimming.

Throughout the region, wild turkey sightings are a ritual of spring. In rural areas, male turkeys are seen giving elaborate displays to their prospective mates, with birds often gathering in large flocks. Eventually the flocks disband as the hens incubate their clutches of eggs.

Songbirds are often associated with spring. Robins are a traditional favorite, arriving in large numbers onto suburban lawns. Bluebirds also appear in spring, returning to the same birdhouse year after year. Along woodland streams, warblers suddenly appear, as if released from a box nearby. They feed and sing for a few days, then sometimes disappear just as suddenly. One of the most beloved spring icons is the hummingbird. This tiny bird migrates thousands of miles each spring, appearing just in time to sip from spring flowers.

Cottontail rabbits appear as grass gets deeper. Their numbers seem to increase each day as young rabbits become more curious and their appetites continue non-stop.

Reptiles and amphibians are another sign of spring. Small frogs are heard chirping, even before warm weather becomes consistent. As lily pads emerge and ponds come to life, bullfrogs are seen and heard.

To anglers, freshwater fish signal the spring season. First come yellow perch and white perch, then hickory shad and river herring. As the spring season progresses, the number of fish species increases dramatically.

2011 Mid Atlantic Spring Snow

In the last days of spring, the Mid Atlantic has seen dramatic variations in weather. Recent days have included cold mornings, warm afternoons, rain and even an unexpected snow fall. Although spring snows are an unwelcome reminder of the long winter, this one passed quickly and within a few hours, the sun was out and flowers re-appeared un-affected.