[CT Birds] Exciting Horseshoe Crab Research Project needs volunteers!

[COMINS, Patrick]

We're all familiar with the importance of horseshoe crabs to migrating Red Knots, but horseshoe crab eggs also provide important forage for many other species of shorebirds, including Sanderling, Semipalmated Sandpiper, Ruddy Turnstone and more.  Sacred Heart University is coordinating an important project to study these ancient creatures and needs volunteers.  Please see below for additional information:

Patrick Comins, Meriden


Volunteers Needed for 2008 Horseshoe Crab Population Census and Migration Study

Every year from May until late July, horseshoe crabs appear on local beaches to spawn and lay eggs. In recent years, the populations have been in decline, potentially affecting the ecosystem of Long Island Sound and the Eastern Seaboard. Project Limulus monitors the changes in horseshoe crab population and migration patterns to help determine the cause of this behavior.  We need your help to count and tag horseshoe crabs in CT, RI, and NY. Volunteers can attend a local training session and leave with the equipment and knowledge necessary to participate in this important scientific study. Please join us. For more information call 203-365-7577 or visit www.projectlimulus.org

Training Sessions:
May 14 Audubon Center in Greenwich 7:00-9:00 PM
Norwalk May 14 & May 17 Maritime Aquarium 7:00-9:00 PM
Fairfield May 17 Public Library 9:30-11:00 AM
Essex May 14 CT. River Museum 7:00-9:00 PM
Groton May 14 Project Oceanology 7:00-9:00 PM


RSVP for these training sessions by
calling 203-365-7577 or via email
info at projectlimulus.org
Project Limulus
Sacred Heart University
5151 Park Avenue
Fair_eld, CT 06825
203-365-7577
info at projectlimulus.org
www.projectlimulus.org



Patrick M. Comins
Director of Bird Conservation
Audubon Connecticut
pcomins at audubon.org

http://iba.audubon.org/iba/viewState.do?state=US-CT

Bent of the River Sanctuary
185 East Flat Hill Road
Southbury,  CT 06488
Phone:  (203)264-5098 x305
or (203)264-5180 x305
Fax: (203)264-6332