Horseshoe crab census

Horseshoe crabs on a Delaware beach

This weekend Joni and I are heading to Delaware to count horseshoe crabs. We are part of a team of volunteers who help to count the crabs when they come onto the beach to lay their eggs during high tides in the spring. This is part of a long term research project that is, at least in part, trying to assess the trend in the crab population. This is our 10th year of participation. We really love the experience and hope to continue to be part of the census for many more years.

This spring there is an article on The Nature Conservancy website about the count and many years ago there was even a cover article on TNC’s magazine.