What do thousands of horseshoe crabs do when the evening tide is high and the spring moon is new or full? Grab your flashlight to see a spawning so huge that people travel to view it from around the world.
The scene begins with male horseshoe crabs waiting along the water’s edge. As a female moves with the tide onto the beach, the male grabs her shell with his claws, hitching a ride on her shell. As she builds nests or leaves egg clusters along the beach, the male is pulled with her, fertilizing the eggs. Once the mating is complete, both head back to the water. Most of the action happens late into the evening, after 10 pm. Over multiple trips over multiple nights, one female can lay up to 88,000 eggs per year.
Let’s watch these living fossils on a June 6 trip to witness their peak numbers at Slaughter Beach in Delaware. The beach is known for having some of the highest counts of horseshoe crabs in the area, with over 60,000 in May 2022 and over 5,000 on the new and full moons in June 2022.
We will also meet on Zoom on June 4 from 7 to 8 pm. to learn about the horseshoe crab behavior and their important role in the Bay ecosystem. Both the Zoom presentation and the field trip will be led by Brad Stevens, Professor Emeritus, and Distinguished Research Scientist at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES). Dr. Stevens worked in Kodiak, Alaska, for over 20 years before coming to UMES, where he used scuba and underwater video to study fish, crabs, conch, and corals. He tells his graduate students “Always study something you can eat.” Would that apply to horseshoe crab? The Zoom link will be in your confirmation email after registering.
Slaughter Beach is about a 2-hour drive from Baltimore. There is adequate parking and restrooms. Plan to stay up very late to see the most action. Google map link here: https://maps.app.goo.gl/Uhvu5JULE4VVXg6BA. If you would rather stay the night than drive back late, hotels are plentiful in Milford. Comfort Inn and Microtel Inn are priced around $100-120 per night.
Difficulty: Moderate with the possibility of cold conditions, definitely wet, and darkness
Remember to
- Heavy-duty flashlight with extra batteries. It may get wet.
- Wear clothes that may get wet. Bring extra clothes in case you get wet.
- Wear sturdy closed-toeshoes that can get wet. You do not want to step on a horseshoe crab’s spikey tail.
- Bring water, snacks, and whatever you need to stay warm and alert.
- Bring your camera, an extra battery, a memory card, and a lens-cleaning cloth.
The exact meeting location will be listed in your confirmation email after payment has been received.
NEW – Payment and Cancellation Policy: Payment is due online at the time of registration. Cancellations made seven or more days in advance of the event will receive a refund minus a 5% processing fee. Cancellations made within seven days of the event will not receive a refund. Events with fees of $10 or less are not refundable at any time unless canceled by NHSM. NHSM retains the right to update or change these requirements at any time.
For questions, please email Jayne at JAsh@marylandnature.org.