Relief for the Red Knot

The Delaware Coast is home to some of the most important migrations of birds in the world. These migrations are in no small part fuelled by the eggs of spawning Horseshoe Crabs.

Thankfully, $86,000 has been set aside to fund education programmes and volunteering along the protected coastline to educate the visiting public about these ecologically threatened areas.

The funding will support the work of Seabird Stewards to ensure that the coast is enjoyed by everyone responsibly, wildlife included.

Last year, during the height of the pandemic, researchers found that very few Horseshoe Crabs were coming ashore to breed. Which in turn saw an 80% decline in Red Knot numbers from the year before.

The reasons for Horseshoe Crab spawning are complicated. However last year very rare tropical storm events, driven by climate change, pushed cold water into the bay. By the time the Horseshoe Crabs emerged, it was too late for the Red Knots.

The intensification of Horseshoe Crab bleeding for the pharmaceutical industries is also a major concern with knock-on effects for many different species.

Let’s hope when people return to the coast of the USA they’re able to do it safely and with wildlife in mind!

P.C: Bill Reinert